Will another chain – Big Ben – be open on Sunday? They throw down the gauntlet to Żabka

Just when we thought that the dust from the fight over the Sunday trading ban had settled and everyone had gotten used to the new conditions, a chain from the Eurocash group, known for selling alcohol, comes forward. Well, Big Ben has a plan for Sunday. Will he follow in Żabka's footsteps?

The franchise model, which has been the domain of the green giant for years, is finding more and more followers. Duży Ben, a chain owned by Eurocash, focuses on branches where the owner himself stands behind the counter or uses methods that allow you to legally bypass Sunday restrictions. This is a direct attack on the current status quo, where only a few outlets could count on profits on non-working days.

This is a precisely planned operation already announced in the company's strategy, which is intended to make… For Poles, the Big Ben logo will become a synonym for rescue on a non-trading Sunday. The chain belonging to the Eurocash Group is stepping into shoes that have so far been worn almost exclusively by Żabka.

The key to success and “achieving the impossible” is operating model transformation. How exactly does Big Ben want to dominate Sunday trading?

Franchise on steroids

Similarly to Żabka, the foundation is the franchise model. According to Polish law, the trade ban does not apply if the store owner (franchisee) is behind the counter. Duży Ben is intensifying the recruitment of partners to whom it offers ready-made “know-how” for running a convenience store, putting great emphasis on ensuring that the outlets are profitable on the seventh day of the week.

Not just alcohol anymore

The chain is increasingly experimenting with solutions that are intended to ease the burden on owners. There is talk of optimizing the assortment for “emergency shopping” and of technological support that allows you to manage the store with minimal involvement of external staff. This is the Żabka model, a store that is small, agile and ready to work when giants such as Biedronka or Lidl are locked in place.

Big Ben doesn't want to be just a liquor store. The strategy assumes positioning itself as a point of “first need” in local communities. By choosing locations close to housing estates, the chain becomes a natural competitor to Żabka, often offering a wider range of drinks and snacks at competitive prices, which attracts crowds on Sundays.

Will this work?

There are many risks – from changes in the law to resistance from some public opinion. However, Duży Ben has a powerful back in the form of the Eurocash Group, which gives them a logistical advantage that others can only dream of. If the plan succeeds, Żabka's monopoly on “Sunday shopping” will become history.

Currently, the chain has 395 branches, and according to the company's plans, it is to become one of the main growth engines of the entire group. The group sees the growth potential of Duży Ben, which may “grow” up to 3,000. shops.

prepared by COGS

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