The departure of several multinationals from the large-scale supermarket sector in Poland, which could be joined by the French group Carrefour, shows the reorganization of commercial distribution in the country, where franchises proliferate.
With 923 stores across the country between large supermarkets and small stores, the French giant, which despite reaching sales of 2,100 million euros only achieved a profit of 47 million in 2019, has not managed to establish itself in the Polish market, where the distribution sector is readjusting and competition is fierce.
If its exit is consummated, Carrefour would follow in the footsteps of the British supermarket chain Tesco, which began to withdraw its investment from Poland last year with the sale of 301 of its stores, two distribution centers and headquarters, for 185 million euros. euros to the Danish group Salling and reduced its workforce by 900 workers.
According to Krzysztof Poznanski, director of the Polish Council of Shopping Centers, of the 570 establishments of this type in Poland, about 270 are in the hands of foreign capital and either have already started their withdrawal plans, or have restructuring plans underway.
As for small businesses, in 2020 they closed up to 1,800 of the 99,400 stores throughout the country, most of them (1,670) proximity stores with a surface area of less than 40 square meters, including kiosks.
At the same time, the number of medium-sized establishments (40 to 100 square meters) has multiplied and in 2020 600 new stores of this type were opened, most of them belonging to Polish franchise chains such as Zabka, whose commercial network includes and more than 7,200 stores throughout the country.