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Imaara Mall, situated along Mombasa Road in the Imaara Daima area of Nairobi's Embakasi sub-county, serves as a neighborhood shopping center targeting middle-income residents since its opening in 2014. The property features approximately 25,000 square meters of gross leasable area (GLA), with a diverse tenant mix including fashion outlets like Bata, Vivo, and Luwi Boutique; footwear stores such as Umoja; supermarkets; eateries including Pizza Inn and Big Knife; health facilities like a hospital; jewelry shops; and home decor retailers.
Additional amenities encompass entertainment zones, salons, and financial services, fostering a balanced retail environment. As part of the Laptrust Imara I-REIT portfolio, the mall maintains an occupancy rate of about 82% in 2024, reflecting resilience amid economic pressures, with average base rents ranging from Kshs 100 to 150 per square foot, yielding approximately 7.5% for investors. Footfall averages 6,000 to 8,000 daily visitors, driven by local traffic and public transport accessibility via bus lines like 33UTW and 110ATH.
The market position is strong within the local sub-market, benefiting from a growing residential catchment of over 200,000 people within a 5-kilometer radius, predominantly young families and commuters with household incomes of Kshs 50,000 to 100,000 monthly.
Leasing advantages include competitive rent levels, stable tenant retention in essential categories, and proximity to expanding estates like Imara Daima, which support consistent demand. However, challenges arise from partial vacancies in non-essential retail spaces, estimated at 18%, and broader market factors such as e-commerce competition and seasonal footfall fluctuations.
Accessibility is enhanced by its location near the Nairobi Expressway entrance, though heavy traffic on Mombasa Road poses occasional delays.
Overall, the mall's operational quality is moderate, with ongoing maintenance needs for infrastructure to sustain appeal in a saturated Nairobi retail landscape where average occupancy across similar centers hovers at 85%.
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Hours of Operation
Hours
| Monday | 07:00 AM — 10:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 07:00 AM — 11:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 07:00 AM — 10:00 PM |
| Thursday | 07:00 AM — 10:00 PM |
| Friday | 07:00 AM — 10:00 PM |
| Saturday | 07:00 AM — 10:00 PM |
| Sunday | 07:00 AM — 11:00 PM |
Hours may vary on public holidays. Check with individual stores for specific holiday schedules.
Insights
Demographics and Catchment Area
The catchment area for Imara Mall encompasses the Imara Daima estate and surrounding neighborhoods in Embakasi, with a population exceeding 150,000 residents within 3 kilometers, primarily middle-class families, young professionals, and blue-collar workers from nearby industrial zones. Demographic data indicates an average household size of 4-5 members, with monthly incomes ranging from Kshs 50,000 to 100,000, supporting spending on groceries, apparel, and dining. The area's growth, fueled by affordable housing developments, has increased the affluent middle segment by 15% since 2020, per urban planning reports, contributing to steady footfall of 5,000-7,000 on weekdays and up to 10,000 on weekends, though economic volatility affects discretionary purchases.
Tenant Mix and Occupancy
Imara Mall's tenant mix is diversified with 40% allocated to fashion and apparel (e.g., Bata, Vivo), 25% to food and beverage (Pizza Inn, Big Knife), 20% to services like health clinics and banks, and 15% to general merchandise and entertainment. This composition anchors essential retail needs for local shoppers. Occupancy stands at 82% as of 2024, improved from 75% in 2022 post-COVID recovery, but vacancies persist in weaker categories like electronics and luxury goods due to shifting consumer preferences toward online platforms. Rental income totals around Kshs 300 million annually, with yields at 7.5%, aligning with Nairobi's neighborhood mall average of 7.6%, though higher turnover in short-term leases poses operational challenges.
Competition and Market Risks
Imara Mall competes with nearby centers like Gateway Mall and larger venues such as The Hub Karen or Two Rivers, leading to saturation in basic retail segments and pressure on non-anchor tenants. Market reports highlight a 10% rise in competing GLA along Mombasa Road since 2020, diluting footfall during peak hours. Risks include chronic traffic congestion on Mombasa Road, reducing accessibility for non-local visitors, and aging infrastructure requiring Kshs 50 million in upgrades to maintain quality. Economic factors like inflation at 5-7% erode spending power, with seasonal dips in footfall during rainy seasons; however, low entry rents provide advantages for SMEs seeking affordable spaces in a tenant-favorable market.
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