Domestic supermarkets ringing up massive growth

Last year there was a 50% increase in the number of Polish-owned supermarkets, which grew in number to over 750. According to the most recent study by Pentor, over 80% of Poles do their shopping in close proximity to their homes or workplaces. According to GfK Polonia, domestic chains still have lower turnover than their foreign-owned competitors, but they are more efficient in the utilization of space, and have higher sales per square meter. "Polish chains are finally developing. They use the niche between hypermarkets and traditional trade," said Magda Zimna from GfK Polonia. In her opinion it is difficult to assess whether domestic chains will maintain their rapid pace of development, but their advantage is the fact that there is still much to consolidate. (Rzeczpospolita, pp. A1, B1) M.M.