Retail operator Tusker Mattresses, the operators of Tuskys Supermarkets, have stepped up their COVID-19 Retail interventions with the launch of a “Kibanda Menu” today.
In a collaborative effort with UBER EATS, the Tuskys Kibanda Menu service will be available for home deliveries and will be on offer instore at selected branches.
According to Tusker Mattresses Group CEO Dan Githua, the firm has also commenced a pilot project to facilitate home deliveries using security vetted foot soldiers.
The pilot project will see Tusker Mattresses retain more than 200-foot soldiers who will act as commission sales agents within specific localities.
“Our customers have been providing great insights on touchpoints we can use to ease the existing COVID-19 challenges in relation to retail services, and we are actively responding,” Githua said, “At Tuskys, we have deepened our efforts to develop the home deliveries solution which will now be serviced by commission agents complemented by Sendy, our logistics solutions provider.”
Last week, Tusker Mattresses confirmed that Nairobi residents had taken on the innovative home deliveries shopping option like fish to water.
Barely a week into the activation of the home delivery services at selected Tuskys branches in Nairobi and Thika, the firm
has expanded the solution in response to growing customer demand.
The solution-which was first delivered at T-Mall, Embakasi, Westlands and Athi River branches, is now available at eight more branches.
The new branches providing home deliveries in their localities now include; Juja Mall, Eastlands, Chania, Karasha (Kenyatta Avenue), Greenspan, Milele, Ongata 1 and Thigiri Tuskys branches with several more expected to be added over the next few days.
Stay In and order your favorite meals from our Kibanda Menu now on Uber Eats from the branches listed.
Orders placed on the WhatsApp and SMS options offered by the retailer Githua said had increased by more than 200%, and basket value had also more than doubled to stand at an average rate of Kshs 6,200.
With the service expansion, Sendy, the logistics solution provider for Tuskys has also more than doubled its motorbike delivery workforce with more than 300 riders now dedicated to supporting the retail program.
“At Tuskys, we are sparing no effort to provide practical interventions as part of our commitment to ease the social challenges arising from the COVID-19 threat,” Githua said, adding that, “Extraordinary times call for extraordinary responses and use of never-used options such as the WhatsApp platform which we are using for the first time.”
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At the same time, the Tuskys Team Leader has opted to take a 20% pay cut effective this month for a sixth month period as part of a cost-cutting measure. In a letter to the Tusker Mattresses Group Board, Githua said he had opted to lead from the front in cost management.
The Business community, he noted, is facing lean times occasioned by business uncertainty which will require internal cost management considerations.
“Conscious of the times ahead, we have suspended all non-business critical expenditure even as we look forward to interventions placed by the government to cushion the business community.”
“I urge all of us (business and individuals) to take a hard look at their expenditures and cut out all unnecessary expenses,” Githua explained.
To facilitate smooth operations, Tusker Mattresses has adopted a COVID-19 Contingency plan and is partnering with AMREF Health in Africa Kenya and AAR Health to provide public health support across its operating locations.
The retailer is also working with local logistics solutions provider Sendy to deliver shopping orders placed by Tuskys customers at any of the nine selected branches in Nairobi.
