Bolt Expands Beyond Food Delivery into On-Demand Retail

Bolt Food has partnered with Quickmart Supermarket Kenya to expand into the on-demand retail market, giving customers access to more than 12,000 products from over 60 stores through its app as the company broadens its services beyond restaurant deliveries.

The move marks a significant shift in Bolt Food’s growth strategy, positioning the platform to tap into Kenya’s growing demand for digital retail services. Through the partnership, customers can order a wide range of products, including groceries, household items, beverages and wellness products, for delivery directly to their homes.

The expansion comes amid continued growth in Kenya’s digital economy, where platform-based services are playing an increasingly important role in commerce and employment.

According to the Bolt-Ipsos Gig Economy Report, the sector currently supports about 1.5 million workers and contributes more than Sh100 billion annually to the economy.

The report also indicates that more than half of gig workers depend on platform-based jobs as their main source of income, while the vast majority report improved living standards as a result of opportunities created through digital platforms.

Bolt says the Quickmart partnership is only the beginning of a broader retail expansion plan. The company intends to grow the category further by bringing additional partners on board while continuing to invest in technology and local partnerships.

The latest development strengthens Bolt Food’s position in Kenya’s convenience economy, where consumers are increasingly turning to digital platforms for faster access to everyday goods and services.