The market share of large-scale retail formats in Poland is expected to by another 20 percent over the next decade, according to the most recent survey by Bain & Company, as a result of growing competition from discount and online distribution channels. The company points to what it calls a “a big box model crisis” as one of the trends to be affecting large-scale food operators. The report claims that hypermarket and supermarket formats have the most to lose from evolving consumer habits as they are gravitating to convenience of shopping rather than focusing just on prices.
At the same time, the role of discount chains will continue to grow, according to the report, which points out that the biggest food retailers operators have reacted to the change by developing their own discount formats. “The biggest advantage of these formats is their location, as well as their highly selective offer,” writes Bain & Company.
While discount chains expanded more slowly last year in Poland, 150 new stores were opened.
