Modern gaming featured prominently today as China Village unveiled its second hypermarket at Juja City Mall, introducing Virtual Reality entertainment as a core attraction in a bold expansion that blends retail with immersive digital experiences.
The launch positions the Chinese retailer as one of the few players in Kenya integrating gaming technology directly into a hypermarket environment, signaling how business, lifestyle and entertainment are converging to shape the next phase of Kenya’s retail economy.
The new outlet, located on the first floor of the mall, features thousands of products alongside a dedicated Virtual Reality (VR) gaming section designed to draw young shoppers and tech enthusiasts. Its opening joins a growing cluster of Chinese-owned hypermarkets in Nairobi including China Square and Pandamart.
Inside the gaming section
When Afcacia walked into the gaming zone, young shoppers, tethered only by the boundaries of the play area, duck, swing, and step into alternate worlds, racing through futuristic cities, exploring fantastical landscapes, or engaging in cooperative missions with friends. The zone is punctuated with large LED screens that project the action for onlookers, turning the play into a shared spectacle.
Ambient lighting shifts from cool blues to warm oranges, creating a cinematic backdrop that separates the gaming space from the fluorescent normalcy of the rest of the hypermarket. Staff members hover nearby, guiding first-time users through the technology while maintaining safety protocols. Cafés and seating areas flank the space, allowing spectators and casual gamers to linger, watch streams, or recharge before trying their turn.
In this environment, shopping is no longer a chore, it becomes an experience. The hum of gaming merges with the chatter of customers, blending commerce and entertainment. It is a microcosm of a broader trend in retail: spaces are increasingly designed not just to sell goods, but to capture attention, spark curiosity, and create lasting memories that keep customers returning.
A 20% festive discount
The unveiling attracted shoppers, influencers, media crews, comedian Eric Omondi and hip hop artist King Kaka, underscoring how the retailer is leaning on entertainment, celebrity presence and digital culture to introduce its brand to Kenyan consumers.
The store is offering a 20 percent discount on all products until January 1st, a promotion expected to attract large numbers of festive shoppers.
Speaking at the launch, Henry Chen, managing director of the Juja City branch, said the hypermarket is part of a wider plan to bring affordable, modern retail experiences to more cities.
“This is China being brought closer to Kenyans,” Chen said. “We want to keep stocking the best quality and meet the demands of our customers.”
He explained that launching the new branch during December was a strategic move to tap into Kenya’s holiday shopping season while showcasing the variety and affordability the retailer offers.
“We launched during the festive season to capture Kenyans’ imagination and display quality and affordability on household goods such as kitchenware, furniture, electronics, beddings, clothing, footwear, hardware tools, car accessories, art, Chinese food and modern gaming,” Chen said.
Expansion plans beyond Nairobi
Although China Village and most Chinese-owned hypermarkets operate exclusively in Nairobi for now, Chen confirmed that the company is preparing to expand to other major cities.
“China Village is considering opening new branches in other cities such as Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru and Eldoret,” he said, noting that feasibility studies are ongoing. “In 2026, we are planning to launch two more branches.”
Expanding outside the capital would place China Village in direct competition with dominant chains such as Naivas, Carrefour and Quickmart. Still, Chen said the appetite for variety and affordability makes the business case strong.
“Kenyans want variety, affordability, and a unique shopping experience. We believe we can provide that in any city across the country,” he said. That would mean taking new gaming experiences to these cities.
A future shaped by gaming and entertainment
The retailer’s biggest differentiator at the Juja branch is its modern gaming section, which includes futuristic experiences attracting students, young professionals and families. The integration of VR within a hypermarket aligns with global trends where shopping centres increasingly combine retail with entertainment to keep customers engaged longer.
“We have modern gaming services here utilising Virtual Reality at affordable rates. Come and reimagine the future,” said supervisor Vanessa Nasyombe. She expressed confidence in the store’s growth prospects heading into the new year. “They want a new experience in gaming. We’re offering that.”
Embedding gaming within physical retail spaces not only boosts foot traffic but also creates new revenue streams and strengthens customer loyalty, particularly among Kenya’s youthful demographic.
Shoppers drawn to variety and tech-enabled experiences
The aisles were packed throughout the launch as customers sampled electronics, fashion items and home essentials, while others tried the VR gaming stations. Many said the combination of wide product variety and interactive entertainment made the shopping experience more engaging.
“They have such a wide range of goods and gaming services, sometimes I don’t know what to choose,” said Ivy Waithera, a shopper and commercial model who visited to explore the new clothing arrivals. “It’s so difficult to enter this mall and fail to spend on something that inspires you.”
The new hypermarket also includes a food section featuring Chinese dishes alongside Kenyan meals.
“Come and taste Chinese cuisines here. We also have Kenyan food,” Chen said, highlighting the retailer’s intention to make cultural exchange part of the shopping experience.
Entertainers boost visibility
The launch drew a lively crowd thanks in part to popular entertainers who interacted with shoppers and amplified the event online. Celebrated comedian Eric Omondi praised the value proposition of the store.
“It’s great seeing sales deals that are so good. On top of the price being affordable, there’s a 20% discount,” he told shoppers.
Hip-hop star King Kaka and social media influencers helped promote the opening, reflecting how Chinese retailers are increasingly using celebrity marketing to connect with Kenya’s digital-savvy consumers.
Opening the second branch in Juja City Mall marks a calculated move. The area is home to Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) and a rapidly expanding residential community dominated by students and young families. The neighbourhood has become a magnet for new malls, residential estates and entertainment centres.