At the end of 2024, there were 545 hypermarkets operating in Poland – less than four years earlier. At the same time, the number of supermarkets increased by 2,477 (GUS). These trends are also visible in store traffic – in hypermarkets it decreased by 3.3%, while it increased in convenience stores (13.1%) and supermarkets (4.5%).
And the Polish food market, whose value exceeded PLN 410 billion net, is increasingly moving towards smaller formats – we read in the latest analysis.
Discount stores are growing like a weed
According to the PMR Market Experts by Hume's report, discount stores today account for approximately one third of the market in terms of sales value, and by 2030 their share may exceed 40%. However, next to them, there is a growing segment that is the second largest channel – proximity supermarkets. These are stores with an area of 300-500 square meters, located in the immediate vicinity of customers: in housing estates, in small towns, along access routes.
The PMR Market Experts by Hume's consumer survey conducted in April and May 2025 shows that 19 percent Poles visit stores every day, and 66 percent several times a week. With such a frequency of visits, the proximity format – smaller area, clear layout, emphasis on freshness – becomes a natural choice. Supermarkets are dominated by a shopping mission based on replenishing supplies (42% of visits), while hypermarkets mainly attract customers making large, planned purchases.
The boom in smaller formats is driven by different business models – each with a different strategy for reaching the customer.
Żabka is developing convenience based on quick shopping, ready-made meals and additional services. Already 45 percent. its stores operate in towns with fewer than 60,000 inhabitants. inhabitants. Stokrotka, on the other hand, is developing in the supermarket format and has recently been significantly expanding the range of its own brands – we read in the analysis.
