Keells
 | |
| Company type | Private limited company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Retail |
| Headquarters | 148 Vauxhall Street, , Sri Lanka |
Number of locations | 97[1] (June 2019) |
Area served | Sri Lanka |
Key people | Jitendra Gunaratne (President- Consumer Foods, John Keells Holdings) Sanjeewa Jayaweera (Chief Financial Officer- Consumer Foods and Retail industry group, JKH) Charitha Subasinghe (Sector Head- Retail, JKH) |
| Products | Supermarket Hypermarket Superstore |
| Brands | K Choice |
| Owner | John Keells Holdings |
| Parent | JayKay Marketing Services |
| Website | www |
Keells, operating as Jaykay Marketing Services (Pvt) Ltd is a supermarket chain in Sri Lanka owned by the John Keells Group, the largest listed conglomerate in the country. It is one of the three largest supermarket operators in Sri Lanka. Keells opened its first store in 1991 at Liberty Plaza with a promise to bring the freshest products to the Sri Lankan consumers. As a subsidiary of the John Keells Group, it operates 106 supermarkets across the country. Operating with the core purpose of ‘Improving the quality of life for the nation’, Keells has been recognized by many accolades for the work done towards improving the customer shopping experience.
In 2017, Keells (then Keells Super) unveiled a new store with a fresh look and feel and in the year 2018[2] relaunched their brand identity as Keells and the store concept in line with its ambition of improving the quality of life for the nation by providing innovative retail experiences through quality food and fresh produce at the right price to their consumers.
Keells Online, Loyalty & Own Label
Keells was the first supermarket in Sri Lanka to launch an online grocery store concept in the country allowing customers to shop online and collect groceries from the store or have it delivered to their home. Keells own loyalty program Nexus, provides customers with deals on everyday essentials.[3][4] Keells also carries an own label portfolio of close to 300+ products covering grocery, household and beverages which now also includes Organic and Free From product ranges.
Supply Chain & Team Strength
The fresh produce is sourced from 8 collection centers across the country supporting local farmers and growers. The dry goods are delivered via a central distribution center to the stores. Keells also owns a Retail Academy which trains team members now 5000+ in number on retail practices and processes which now also has an online training portal that carries all the training modules for easy access for the teams.
Awards
- Most Valuable Supermarket Brand in 2019 by Brand Finance[5]
- Service Brand for the year at SLIM awards 2019 - Bronze
- Innovative Brand of the year at SLIM awards 2019 - Bronze
- National Business Excellence Awards 2019 - Silver in Trading Category
- Keells Own Label Packaging Wins a Highly Commended at Transform Awards 2019
- Keells Own Label Packaging Melbourne Design Awards 2019 – Silver
- Best Integrated Digital marketing Campaign at SLT Zero1 Awards 2019 - Silver[NF1]
Sustainability
A first in retail industry in Sri Lanka, Keells makes commitment to embark on journey to reduce single use plastics in-store. Keells committed to reduce by 50% single use plastic bags and store single use packaging for fresh food by 2025.[6] Keells also allows customers to bring their own containers when purchasing fish, meat and bakery whilst also encouraging customers by giving a Rs.4 discount for bringing your own bag to shop. Solar panels installed in over 55 stores to generate power using renewable energy sources.
References
- ^ Fernandopulle, Lalin (2 April 2017). "John Keells Supermarket Chain to Expand". sundayobserver.lk. The Sunday Observer. Retrieved 10 February 2018.
- ^ "Keells: A step in a fresh new direction | Daily FT". www.ft.lk. Retrieved 2020-08-25.
- ^ "Sri Lanka's pioneer loyalty program, Nexus introduces Nexus Mobile | Daily FT". www.ft.lk. Retrieved 2020-08-25.
- ^ "Keells Super goes mobile | Daily FT". www.ft.lk. Retrieved 2020-08-25.
- ^ "Keells bags the most valuable supermarket brand in 2019 | Daily FT". www.ft.lk. Retrieved 2020-08-25.
- ^ "Keells commits to 50% reduction in single use polythene bags by 2025 | Daily FT". www.ft.lk. Retrieved 2020-08-25.