Kampala’s China Town Superstore made headlines after becoming the first East African supermarket to close due to overwhelming crowds. Located at the former Shoprite Game store in Lugogo, the retailer attracted thousands of customers with deep discounts, but the influx quickly raised security concerns.
Fearing potential terrorist threats, the store shut its doors temporarily on Tuesday to install metal detectors and boost security measures.
The store’s popularity grew in part due to social media, where influencers shared viral posts showcasing the deals. While the frenzy has led to concerns among local traders, China Town Superstore is now back in business, ready to welcome shoppers with enhanced security in place.
With some items sold for over 50% less than the market rate. Each day saw bigger crowds than the last, far surpassing expectations and raising concerns about security.
Fearing potential terrorist threats due to inadequate security measures like metal detectors, the store management, led by marketing manager Daniel Akwanget, decided to temporarily close the store on Tuesday to enhance safety protocols. The closure sparked renewed excitement, especially after the management announced the store would reopen on Wednesday with improved security in place.
Interestingly, not all visitors came to shop. Many were drawn by social media buzz, with influencers and onlookers snapping pictures of the discounted items and posting them online, further fueling the store's popularity. Akwanget noted that these viral posts played a big role in the continued surge of customers.
However, the rapid success of the foreign-owned store has raised concerns among Kampala's local traders, who fear the impact on their businesses. Some have drawn parallels to the 2023 protests in Kenya, where a Chinese-owned store, China Space, faced backlash over alleged counterfeit goods and undercutting prices.
