Biedronka retailer sees Polish market remains very competitive, customers stay cautious

"The Polish market continues to be very, very competitive. (...) we keep operating in a low basket inflation versus a still high-cost inflation. This means that all players are more pressured. And this tends to intensify the competition in the market," Ana Luisa Virginia said during a Thursday teleconference.

"What Biedronka intends to do is to keep its price leadership. (...) What we have to work for is to make sure that we continue to be the leaders in price," she added.

She noted that Biedronka continues to gain market share, with GfK data showing a 0.2 percentage point increase through August, with potentially higher growth in September.

Ana Luisa Virginia said customers remain cautious and reluctant to buy more expensive food products.

The group said sales remain Biedronka’s priority. To protect profitability amid low basket inflation, rising wages, and weak food consumption, Biedronka will focus on cost efficiency and boost productivity.

LFL sales rose 3.6 percent in the third quarter and 1.8 percent after nine months.

Biedronka’s EBITDA after three quarters was EUR 1.477 billion, versus EUR 1.343 billion last year. EBITDA margin rose to 7.9 percent from 7.7 percent a year earlier.

Biedronka opened 111 shops so far in 2025 and remodelled 110 locations. It plans to open 130-150 (net) stores this year and renovate about 200 locations. A new distribution centre is also planned.

"Entering now the last quarter of the year and the crucial Christmas and New Year's period, we remain focused in responding to our customers' needs while continuing the key investment projects that are still to be concluded before the year ends," she concluded.

pel/ nl/ han/