Not every Pole invests in ETFs, gold or real estate – but almost everyone saves on everyday purchases. It is at the store shelf, not on the capital market, that the most common financial decisions are made. As many as 83% of consumers declare that they control their food expenses by choosing promotions, cheaper products or private labels.
The most important thing is regularity – saving is not a one-time decision, but a habit built with each purchase. Hundreds of small, repeated decisions translate over time into real and tangible benefits in the home budget – says Rafał Bieńko, Director of Economic Effectiveness at Auchan Polska.
From a few zlotys to 2.6 trillion
Since the opening of the first Auchan store in 1996 in Piaseczno, the chain has been developing consistently throughout Poland – today it includes over 264 stores in various formats. They are visited by millions of customers every month, which shows the scale of everyday purchasing decisions made by Poles.
On this scale, even small savings – of the order of a few or a dozen zlotys on one basket – accumulate over time. With an average basket worth PLN 110-150 and purchases made several times a week, they translate into real benefits that, over the years, amount to PLN 2.6 trillion.
The scale of this phenomenon is shown by the savings counter we have launched, available on the website auchan.pl. It shows in a simple way how everyday decisions translate into real money. We want to make you aware that saving does not require specialized knowledge and great sacrifices – it often starts with simple choices made during each visit to the store – emphasizes Hanna Bernatowicz, Communication Director of Auchan Polska
How do we know how much Poles saved?
An amount close to Poland's total debt may seem abstract – but it is the sum of everyday, small savings that become real over time.
The estimate of the total value of savings was based on a representative household model and a comparison of the cost of a shopping basket in a standard store and in Auchan. Price differences were aggregated over 30 years of the chain's operation and customer population. The result is a model and shows the cumulative effect of everyday purchasing decisions.
The lowest prices are no accident
Auchan has been consistently building its position as the cheapest retail chain in Poland for years. This is not a temporary effect of the promotion, but a long-term strategy that allows customers to save real money with each purchase – which is confirmed by, among others, ASM Shopping Basket research, in which the chain has been the leader in the lowest prices for many months.
The sum of these daily choices of millions of consumers translated into PLN 2.6 trillion in savings. This is proof that real savings begin not with large investments, but with wise spending and decisions made each time you visit the store.
