A retail revolution arrived in Lugogo as China Town Superstore flung open its doors on 31st August 2024, transforming the iconic former Shoprite Game space into Uganda’s newest shopping paradise. This expansive retail haven has instantly become the talk of the town, dazzling customers with its staggering selection across so many categories of electronics, furniture, decoration, toiletries, cosmetics, clothes, gardening items, and so forth.
So many people had written off Chinatown Town, but they are still here with a second branch. China Town has since opened another branch in Kyebambe.
So, if you’re an entrepreneur or small business owner looking to take your side hustle to the next level, consider exploring the opportunities offered by Chinatown. With its expanding footprint and commitment to providing affordable products, China Town is poised to become a key player in supporting the growth of Uganda’s side hustle economy.
Reselling items for a profit opportunity.
Since China town has a wide variety of items. You can buy and stock to sell on social media. You can even take pictures and market. You buy when you have an active order. From electronics and furniture to cosmetics and gardening items, China Town’s vast selection has made it an ideal destination for those looking to stock up on essentials for their side hustles.
As someone who has personally experienced the convenience and value offered by Chinatown, I can attest to its potential in supporting the growth of side hustle businesses in Uganda. Whether you’re looking to start or scale up your venture, China Town’s competitive prices and diverse product range make it an invaluable resource.
Street vending.
You could still shop from China Town and be a street vendor. If you are in a place that does not legally allow street vendors and hawkers. You could still carry your stock to those mobile monthly urban markets at MOTIV. Choose your product well. The product must be low-cost but with high demand. The non-food items to consider could be earphones, chargers, screen protectors, shoes, phones, portable fans, affordable cosmetics (lip gloss, hair extensions, and eye pencil), and household items.
Observe what sells fast in your area before going to China Town. Secure a visible, high-traffic spot. Operating without permits risks confiscation or fines in Kampala. You could scale up from Street to Shop or a home business. Reinvest profits to expand your product range. Partner with boda bodas for deliveries (charge extra). Vending in Cash is on a daily which is the biggest motivator.
Being a personal shopper.
Remember, there are times the store has long lines and people hate crowds. You can advertise yourself as a professional China Town shopper for hire. You shop and deliver at a fee. The personal shopping business offers a rewarding opportunity to transform expertise into a profitable career. As professional curators, personal shoppers help clients select clothing, gifts, and everyday items that align with their taste, budget, and lifestyle, saving busy individuals valuable time while enhancing their image. This service boasts strong demand from executives, celebrities, seniors, and professionals across growing niche markets. With low startup costs requiring just expertise and a smartphone rather than inventory, personal shoppers can operate flexibly through hourly rates.
Success comes from specialising in a niche such as sustainable fashion, furniture, or electronics, and leveraging social media platforms like Instagram to showcase transformative before-and-after results.
In Uganda’s growing urban centres like Kampala, Buwaate, Gabba, Najeera, and Entebbe with people with disposable incomes are creating new opportunities. Savvy personal shoppers can boost revenue by offering corporate-friendly services like gift vouchers, making this both a creatively fulfilling and commercially viable business venture. Would you like me to develop specific pricing structures or marketing strategies for your target market?
You can start a craft business from scratch.
Whether it is photo frames, shells, or artificial flowers, you can start home home-based craft business and sell them. China Town has so many cheap items you can repurpose and design into decor items to sell to supplement your day job. With China Town, you can start small, with no need for bulk orders or huge capital.
Turn your creativity into extra income by crafting custom home decor and handmade floral arrangements. Why deal with the headaches of importing from China, long waits, shipping costs, and quality uncertainty when China Town in Lugogo offers everything you need to start a lucrative home-based craft business?
Relief from importing stress, why go through the stress of importing stuff from China to sell as a side hustle, when you can physically confirm quality and variety at Chinatown? Think about it; even for people using Ali Express to import in Uganda have to wait for long waiting periods, incur expenses on importing one or a few items. Physically inspect items before buying in China Town, no AliExpress surprises. That way, you avoid shipping delays and high import fees by getting supplies instantly from China Town.
I have been to Chinatown, not once, not twice. I will go back again to buy household and business accessories. The superstore combines unbeatable variety with wallet-friendly prices, creating an irresistible draw for Uganda’s savvy shoppers.
Uganda is naturally a price-sensitive economy, and this is an opportunity for young people to start businesses. The retail landscape in Uganda has witnessed a significant transformation with the launch of China Town Superstore in Lugogo on August 31, 2024.
This expansive retail haven has not only revitalised the former Shoprite Game space, but also opened up new avenues for side hustle businesses. China Town’s strategic expansion, with a second branch in Kyebambe, has created a one-stop shop for entrepreneurs and small business owners to access a wide range of products at affordable prices.
Ivan N Baliboola is a PR & Organisational Diagnosis specialist
