Introduction
Chinatown store newly opened on 1/09/2024 in the heart of Uganda, Kampala. It took over the former Game supermarket spot at Lugogo. Ugandans had long awaited its opening as it had been over advertised on several radio and social media platforms.
In response Ugandans welcomed Chinatown stores with excitement since they flooded the store in numbers to shop several merchandise. Their Products are at a giveaway prices. The store offers a bewildering experience for shoppers. Chinatown exposes them to a vibrant range of Chinese’s products from Kitchen-wear, Electronics, Machinery, Toys, Scholastic material, Furniture.
The Pricing
Chinatown stores have all kinds of merchandise you can imagine at a cheap price. It’s alleged they had smart TVs as low as 250000 ugx.. Mr Oketch Sam a Boda rider in Nsamby says he was able to buy his family a blender, sub-Hoffer and Tv all at just 450000 UGX. Which would otherwise have cost him over a million shillings. Another Zawedde Berinder says she bought a set of plates and cups.These for only 12000 ugx that’s worth 65000 ugx. In the local market.
In-fact Chinatown’s management in collaboration with Police closed the store down. One day after they opened due to a mammoth crowd of shoppers who overloaded the shopping system.
The management also says many products were destroyed as the shoppers loitered around, gazing and picking from the various products. Shoppers to this day are still around the premises.
When asked Mr. Daniel Akwanget the head of marketing was asked. He says the shoppers flocked their gates because of the tik-tokers. Who posted the Chinese products on the platform that he credits for the high turn up. He also adds to say. The stores are going through a system upgrade to align it with IFRS tax URA. Since some of their suppliers had not put their products into the system .
They refuse to leave amidst cries from the Police, most of the shoppers stubbornly refuse saying they won’t leave until they get a chance to shop an item from the Chinatown store.
Pictures of the products in the store were all over social media platforms. Some of the prices of merchandise were so low as compared to the downtown prices.
The Current Satiations
Chinatown store is making waves in the Ugandan local market.it has stolen the show with cheap Chinese products. Various traders and business owners are not happy since Chinatown stores prices are making losses for their businesses in Kampala downtown. This will force so many traders that won’t be able to re-think their prices out of business as long as Chinatown remains open.
Value addition could be an alternative solution. More to that would be after-sale services like warranty, proper Packaging, Branding and free delivery so as to justify the high prices. The local traders have not taken it lightly and have taken it to the different social media platforms to register and talk about their dissatisfactions on the operation of Chinatown in Kampala.
In Conclusion
Chinatown’s presence is a blessing in disguise to the shoppers in Uganda for it has come to save them from the seemingly high and exaggerated prices of merchandise downtown and yet is giving local traders a run for their money. Drizpost urges the traders to be more innovative, diversify and modify the service delivery so as to empower shoppers with a wide rage of choice for goods from all over and outside the country. The shift for the local traders will not be easy but rather gradual.
