Keells Marks 35 Years of Serving Sri Lanka as It Passes 150 Stores

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Keells is marking 35 years of serving Sri Lankan households after surpassing the milestone of operating 150 outlets across the country, a development that reflects the transformation of modern retail in Sri Lanka and the organisation’s expanding role in supporting customers, farmers, suppliers, employees and communities.

The milestone was reported by LankaTalks on 1 October 2026. It represents a significant stage in the development of a Sri Lankan retail brand that began with the opening of its first store at Liberty Plaza, Colombo, in 1991.

Over the past three and a half decades, Keells has evolved alongside changing consumer expectations, moving beyond the conventional supermarket model to develop a broader connected ecosystem. Its activities now extend from the provision of fresh food and household products to digital services, direct agricultural sourcing, employee development and community initiatives.

From one Colombo store to 150 outlets

When the first Keells store opened at Liberty Plaza in 1991, supermarket shopping in Sri Lanka was still developing as a regular part of household life. Since then, the brand has expanded its network across the island, creating greater access to fresh produce, prepared foods, household essentials and a widening range of products.

The 150-store milestone therefore reflects more than physical expansion. It also indicates how Sri Lankan retail has changed, with consumers increasingly seeking convenience, product variety, reliable quality and more accessible shopping experiences.

For Keells, the idea of freshness has been positioned as a wider commitment rather than a description of food alone. It encompasses the quality of everyday customer experiences, the strengthening of agricultural communities, the development of employees and the creation of opportunities through long-term partnerships.

A more connected customer experience

The customer-facing side of the business continues to develop through farm-fresh produce, prepared food offerings, new food experiences and an expanding selection of products designed around the changing needs of Sri Lankan households.

Digital innovation has also become part of this evolution through the Keells Nexus App and its wider membership ecosystem. According to the information reported by LankaTalks, the Nexus ecosystem now connects with 2.9 million members, providing a more personalised and accessible omnichannel experience.

Relevant promotions, personalised offers and exclusive rewards form part of that service, enabling customers to engage with the brand beyond a physical store visit. The development illustrates how traditional retail is increasingly being combined with digital tools to improve convenience and make household shopping more responsive to individual preferences.

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Supporting farmers and strengthening supply chains

The supply of fresh produce depends on a stable and capable agricultural network, and Keells has developed a direct sourcing system linking farming communities with consumers across Sri Lanka.

The organisation works with more than 4,000 active farmers through 10 collection centres. This network is intended to create a closer connection between agricultural producers and the retail market, while supporting more consistent access to fresh produce for customers.

More than 2,000 farmers, including female agripreneurs, have received training in areas such as financial literacy, climate-resilient agriculture, organic farming and sustainable cultivation. Model farms and new agricultural technologies are also being used to help farmers improve productivity and reduce losses.

Through initiatives such as Govi Diriya, farmers receive support in climate-resilient agriculture, sustainable cultivation and Good Agricultural Practices certification. Awareness and precautionary measures are also provided in relation to environmental challenges, including the effects associated with El Niño.

These initiatives are particularly relevant as Sri Lankan agriculture continues to face changing weather patterns, production risks and the need to use land and water resources more sustainably. A direct sourcing model, supported by training and agricultural knowledge, can assist farmers in responding to market requirements while improving the resilience of the wider food supply chain.

Employment, skills and wellbeing

Keells’ 35-year journey has also been supported by more than 6,500 employees working across its retail and related operations. The organisation’s employee programmes focus on training, career development and wellbeing, with the stated aim of creating opportunities at different stages of a person’s working life.

Partnerships such as NAITA certification support employees in gaining recognised skills, while leadership development and career growth for women are encouraged through the She Rises initiative.

Employee wellbeing is addressed through Peace Pod, which provides mental and social wellbeing support, alongside the Financial Wellbeing Programme, which offers practical guidance on managing personal finances.

Together, these initiatives demonstrate the increasingly broad expectations placed on major employers, particularly those operating across a large national network. Beyond wages and day-to-day responsibilities, training, recognised qualifications, leadership opportunities and wellbeing support can contribute to stronger career pathways and greater workplace stability.

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Extending support into communities

The organisation’s social impact programmes extend beyond its stores and commercial operations. One of the reported initiatives is a pre-school meal programme that has provided more than 538,000 meals to over 4,500 children across 116 pre-schools.

Access to regular nutritious meals can be especially important during the early years of education, when children’s health, concentration and participation are closely connected to household circumstances. The scale of the programme indicates a sustained effort to support children across multiple communities rather than a short-term campaign.

Skills development has formed another part of the community focus through the Skill Into Progress programme, known as SKIP. Organised by the John Keells Foundation and The Rainbow Institute, the programme has supported 1,322 students across 10 locations islandwide.

Of those students, 280 graduates have earned certification, with further rollouts planned. The programme provides a pathway through which young people can develop practical capabilities and improve their prospects for further education, employment or vocational development.

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A milestone shaped by everyday participation

The significance of Keells’ 35-year milestone lies not only in the number of outlets but also in the range of relationships behind the network. Customers encounter the brand through everyday shopping; farmers and suppliers participate through sourcing and distribution; employees contribute through store and support operations; and communities engage with programmes focused on nutrition, education and skills.

Since the Liberty Plaza opening in 1991, the organisation has therefore moved through several stages of development, reflecting wider changes in Sri Lankan consumer life, agriculture, employment and technology. The passage beyond 150 stores places the company at another point of transition, where physical retail, digital engagement, responsible sourcing and community support are increasingly interconnected.

For Sri Lankan households, the role of a supermarket is often measured through ordinary experiences: the availability of fresh produce, the convenience of prepared food, the reliability of essential goods and the ease with which purchases can be made. For the communities connected to the supply chain, the contribution is measured through training, employment, market access, education and practical support.

Keells’ 35th anniversary consequently provides an opportunity to examine how a long-standing Sri Lankan company has contributed to daily life while adapting to new expectations. Its next stage will be judged by how effectively it can maintain quality, strengthen supply relationships, develop its workforce and ensure that its growth continues to generate value beyond the shop floor.

Source: https://www.lankatalks.com/post/keells-marks-35-years-of-keeping-life-fresh-for-sri-lanka

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