Carrefour, operated exclusively in Kenya by Majid Al Futtaim, has introduced its latest self-checkout service at Two Rivers Mall, marking the fourth Nairobi store to offer the feature.
This rollout strengthens Carrefour’s leadership in retail automation, prioritising speed, convenience, and customer experience across high-traffic urban centres.
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The upgraded kiosks run on an advanced Android-based system, with a smartphone-style interface that allows shoppers to:
- Scan items independently
- Choose flexible payment options: mobile money, bank cards, MyCLUB points, or Carrefour gift cards
- Complete purchases quickly and effortlessly
- Receive digital receipts via Go Green e-receipts
Staff remain available to assist with onboarding and troubleshooting, ensuring a smooth experience for all customers.
Digital Transformation in Action
Self-checkout is a core pillar of Carrefour’s broader innovation strategy, which includes:
- Carrefour App for mobile shopping and loyalty tracking
- Scan&Go for in-store mobile scanning
- Go Green e-Receipts for paperless checkout
- MyCLUB Loyalty Program for personalised rewards
Franck Moreau, Country Manager of Carrefour Kenya, said:
“We are committed to enhancing the shopping experience through innovation. Self-checkout is just one of many steps we are taking to empower our customers and streamline operations.”
Innovation vs. Intelligence: A Missed Opportunity?
While Carrefour leads in retail automation, industry experts warn that Kenya’s supermarkets are underutilising their most valuable asset: customer data.
Ali Hussein Kassim, a seasoned CEO, digital transformation consultant, leadership coach, and investor, observed:
“𝗞𝗲𝗻𝘆𝗮’𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹 𝗚𝗶𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝗦𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗻 𝗮 $𝟭𝟬𝟬𝗠+ 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗮 𝗚𝗼𝗹𝗱𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗲 – 𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝗗𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗜𝘁! ”
He argues that while Carrefour has the digital infrastructure, its loyalty program still functions more like a digital receipt system than a true customer intelligence engine.
Kassim calls for a shift from “points programs” to AI-powered platforms that enable predictive replenishment, personalised offers, and dynamic pricing—unlocking 20–30% higher customer lifetime value and 40–50% better retention.
Strategic Rollout Across Nairobi
Carrefour’s self-checkout service is now operational at four major Nairobi outlets:
| Location | Rollout Date | Area Description |
|---|---|---|
| Westgate Mall | April 2023 | Nairobi’s central retail hub |
| Village Market | February 2024 | Upmarket diplomatic district |
| The Hub Karen | March 2024 | Affluent suburb with high foot traffic |
| Two Rivers Mall | September 2025 | Flagship outlet in the Gigiri-Runda corridor |
Kenya’s Retail Tech Evolution
Carrefour’s expansion mirrors broader trends in Kenya’s retail sector, where supermarkets and malls are embracing automation, mobile payments, and loyalty tech.
Competitors like Naivas and Quickmart are piloting digital queue systems and app integrations, while Carrefour sets new benchmarks for customer-led innovation.
What’s Next
Carrefour plans to continue scaling self-checkout across Kenya, with future upgrades including:
- AI-powered inventory tracking
- Personalised promotions via MyCLUB
- Enhanced analytics for shopper behaviour
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