Grocery Sector in Poland September 2021

The grocery sector has developed steadily in recent years, recording systematic increases in retail sales. The economic uncertainty caused by the Covid-19 pandemic has not shaken the industry. Despite a decline in total traditional sales in the retail sector by several percent in 2020, sales in the grocery segment remained almost unchanged last year.

The consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic and restrictions on the functioning of retail at that time meant that investors temporarily reduced their interest in traditional shopping centres, while looking for alternative retail assets. Retail facilities based around grocery tenants with a stable turnover, not subject to operating restrictions, turned out to be a safe product and resistant to the economic turmoil of 2020.

Forecasts for the future development of the grocery sector are also optimistic. Expectations for retail sales in traditional stores in the coming years indicate an increase of approx. 2.5% annually. Conveniently located traditional grocery stores have a huge competitive advantage over the sale of food over the Internet. Customer preferences are also confirmed by the latest consumer research. Despite the experience of 2020, as many as 57% of the respondents did not change their habits: they did not do grocery shopping online and they still do not do it.

Grocery chains in Poland are dynamically developing, introducing new sales formats and innovative solutions favouring the comfort of customers in the stores, while caring for the environment and promoting ecological attitudes among customers.