August 2014
9
August 2014
8
In a bid to help consumers refine their paint
taste, Crown Paints unveiled three new
ultra-modern showrooms in Mombasa,
Nairobi and Nakuru in the first quarter of the
year. With the modern showrooms, we seek
to target sophisticated, quality-conscious
consumers in the residential and commercial
property market.
Speaking during the Mombasa showroom
launch, Crown Paints Kenya CEO Rakesh
Rao said the multi-million outlets will equip
customers, developers and the general
public with more knowledge in regards
to paints.
“We aim to recruit more customers and
equip them with knowledge on paints.
The real estate sector is enjoying a boom
and consumer tastes are changing fast,
with more people using texture and stone
finishes,” Rao explained.
“We plan to put up similar showrooms in
Kisumu, Eldoret, Malindi and two more
in Nairobi; this is consumer-driven since
our target customers have become quite
sophisticated and are demanding additional
quality products,” Rao added.
The showrooms which are centrally located,
will offer detailed information on Crown
Paints’ entire line of paints as well as paint
Our multi-million luxury
paint outlets
colour selection tools, professional services
and educational programs. The showrooms
will also feature the latest innovations in
paints and interior finishes and will offer
consumers tips on how to enhance building
aesthetics using quality products. It is
designed as a one stop colour expression
centre, complete with colour visualiser to
simulate room sets.
The colour visualiser, a first in the Kenyan
market, features a large touch screen that
enables customers to explore different
colour schemes in varying room settings.
Customers can experience a virtual tour of
the room while ‘splashing’ different paints
on ‘furniture’, ‘floors’ and ‘walls’ to make an
informed choice.
Speaking in Nakuru, Waweru Gatheca,
Chairman of the Architectural Association
of Kenya, said that the cost of building
materials in Kenya will only come down if
local manufacturers are given incentives
to produce them. He singled out the high
cost of interior finishes as a hurdle to many
home builders yet an increasing number of
Kenyans are opting to own their own houses.
“Cost of construction is a function of
the manufacturing sector. The more we
manufacture locally, the greater the chances
of bringing down the cost of construction
materials,” said Gathecha. Crown Paints
has put several initiatives in place geared
at promoting the use of quality products to
ensure safety and long-life of buildings.
The showrooms will display designer fashion
finishes, textured finishes, Italian design
marble and quartz from Kalingastone, as
well as waterproofing and construction
chemicals from Pidilite.
At the launch of the Lavington showroom,
Rao said, “Kenya is transforming and
Kenyans want to change their lifestyles.
At Crown Paints we endeavour to bring
global products to your doorstep.”
He further noted that the Crown Paints
showroommodel has gained traction and
it has proven to be a more efficient and
effective channel for educating consumers
on different kinds of interior and exterior
paints as well as finishes.
“The popularity of our showroommodel
has been driven by the rise of middle and
upper middle class customers who are
demanding for more quality products. We
have witnessed better understanding of
paints through face-to-face interaction with
our customers,” Rao confirmed.
Muthithi Place Showroom, Westlands
Lavington Curve Showroom
pictorial
Nakuru launch
Mombasa launch
Corporate development
