Page 14 - bne IntelliNews Poland Outlook 2025
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From the retailers' perspective, maintaining price competitiveness remains a critical challenge for retail chains. Major networks continue to operate on thin profit margins to offer customers the most attractive prices possible – and that comes at a cost. Retailers say their investment priorities in 2025 will be to expand sales networks, add tech upgrades to the way sales are done both online and in brick-and-mortar stores, as well modernise logistics infrastructure.
The retail sector also faces significant legislative changes this year. Years in the making, the deposit-return system is kicking in on October 1 that will force retail chains to invest probably hundreds of millions of zlotys in infrastructure to allow customers to retrieve deposits on PET and glass bottles, and cans. The system will cover shops larger than 200 square metres obligatorily; it will be an option for smaller ones.
The industry may also be impacted by the forthcoming food waste prevention act, spearheaded by the Ministry of Agriculture. The proposed legislation includes fines for every kilogram of wasted food – it is not clear, however, if the proposal is going to become law in 2025.
Retailers will also need to comply with the EU’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) directive, requiring retailers selling their own branded products – so most majors – to design environmentally friendly packaging.
The year 2025 will also see a new trade-free holiday added to the calendar on December 24. This will be partially offset by the introduction of a third trading Sunday in December. Most other Sundays will remain shopping-free.
Poland’s retail market is dominated by discount stores – such as Biedronka or Lidl – with a 37% market share (2023 data). Supermarkets made up 16% of the market, a similar share to hypermarkets. Traditional retail, consisting mainly of local grocery stores, had 31% of the market in 2023.
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