It has been a long time coming and it’s finally here.
After a couple of missed dates, Xiaomi is set to officially unveil its first store in the country on Sunday, July 14th.
The Mi Home store which is located at Nairobi’s The Hub in Karen, will not only be the first in the country but in the whole of Sub-Saharan Africa, a testament to the brand’s long term commitment to the region.
Xiaomi has, for the last few years, registered immense growth around the world and increasing brand recognition which has seen it rank as the 4th largest maker of smartphones in the world and the third in the Android world.
Unbeknownst to many, especially Kenyans who are still getting to know about the Chinese brand, Xiaomi makes more than smartphones, even though that is what most of us know it for.
As will be showcased and sold at the Mi Home after its launch this weekend, Xiaomi makes just about anything in consumer electronics. From electric scooters like the M365 to rice cookers to smart shoes to reliable Wi-Fi routers to fitness bracelets.
The fitness bracelets, owing to their favourable pricing – just like most Xiaomi products – have catapulted the brand to be ranked as the second biggest maker of wearable devices (after Apple) and the number one such company for wrist-worn devices alone. Its Mi Band fitness tracker, for instance, accounted for over 30% of all wrist bands shipped in the last quarter of 2018, according to the IDC and its latest iteration is shattering all manner of records.
According to Xiaomi Kenya, the Mi Home store will have over 300 units of various items up on sale.
Xiaomi Kenya has invited its fans in the city and beyond to the event and the first 200 people who will walk away with a gift hamper from the brand that may include, among other things, a Mi Band 3. The first 200 people to show up at the store on the same day will also get gifts.
Xiaomi Kenya has partnered with Aspira Kenya to offer credit facilities (a Lipa Pole Pole plan) to those wishing to buy the products on offer at the Mi Home store but short on cash.
