Where Is It Cheaper to Buy Groceries in Poland?

The cost of a grocery basket in Poland is constantly changing — as confirmed by research from ASM Sales Force Agency. Analysts recently published their fresh October study on grocery prices across Polish supermarket chains. While in September 2024 the average grocery basket price rose by 25 zloty compared to the previous month and by 24 zloty compared to the previous year, in October the average price dropped by 20 zloty month-on-month. In 8 out of 13 chains covered by the study, prices on tracked products were lower than the month before. Which Polish supermarkets offer the most expensive and the cheapest shopping? Read on to find out.

Average grocery basket price in Poland – below 300 zloty

Data collected by ASM SFA shows that in October of this year the average price of a basket containing the most popular everyday products fell by 20.28 zloty, or 6.56%, reaching 288.99 zloty (vs. 309.27 zloty in September). Price decreases were recorded in eight chains; in the remaining five, the tracked products were more expensive than in September. In seven chains, the average grocery basket exceeded the psychological threshold of 300 zloty.

The largest drop in average basket value was recorded at Biedronka (29.04%), while the biggest price increase was seen at Carrefour stores (1.45%). On a year-over-year basis, price increases across the studied product groups were recorded in 7 out of 13 analysed chains.

The most significant basket price increase was at Kaufland, where the average basket in October 2024 was 43.16 zloty higher than in 2023 (up 16%). However, price decreases were noted in five stores, including: Makro Cash & Carry (5.15%), Selgros Cash & Carry (4.55%) and E.Leclerc (3.11%). On an annual basis, the average basket value grew by 2.02% — from 283.27 zloty in October 2023 to 288.99 zloty in October 2024.

In October, Lidl was cheaper than Biedronka and Auchan

The October study shows that this time the leader on lowest prices is Lidl. The average grocery basket in this chain cost 230.09 zloty. Yet just a month earlier, Auchan was the cheapest store and Lidl was only in eighth place! Which supermarkets are the cheapest according to the latest research, and how much does a grocery basket cost there? As a reminder, the average grocery basket price in October was 288.99 zloty. 1. Lidl – 230.09 zł (September – 313.97 zł, 8th place a month earlier) 2. Biedronka – 231.28 zł (September – 325.95 zł, 11th place a month earlier) 3. Auchan – 236.43 zł (a month earlier – 280.27 zł, 1st place in September) 4. Selgros (C&C) – 283.13 zł (September – 287.15 zł, was in 2nd place) 5. Makro (C&C) – 288.47 zł (a month earlier – 287.97 zł, was in 3rd place) 6. E.Leclerc – 290 zł (a month earlier – 301.95 zł, 4th place) 7. ALDI – 303.48 zł (September – 302.94 zł, was in 5th place) 8. Carrefour – 311.84 zł (September – 307.39 zł, was in 6th place) 9. Intermarche – 312.23 zł (September – 328.68 zł, was in 12th place in September) 10. Kaufland – 312.97 zł (September – 311.88 zł, was in 7th place) 11. Polomarket – 315.12 zł (September – 330.30 zł, was in last, 13th place) 12. Dino – 318.07 zł (September – 322.47 zł, dropped 2 positions — was in 10th place) 13. Netto – 323.72 zł (September – 319.60 zł, was in 9th place)

Quite a striking difference, isn't it? It shows that prices may change again the very next month, and former leaders can drop down the rankings. So shoppers who need to save money should consistently compare prices across supermarkets. Why does it make sense? The price difference between the cheapest and the most expensive supermarket's grocery basket was 93.63 zloty in October and 50.05 zloty in September — meaning the gap nearly doubled in just one month.

By the way, we wrote more about these chains in an article on our website.

Beverages saw the biggest price increase; fats and oils fell the most

An analysis of product category prices (based on 40 selected items) shows that in October 2024 compared to 2023, prices rose in 6 out of 10 analysed categories: meat, fish, frozen products, dairy, beverages, sweets and beer. On a year-over-year basis, prices fell in: fats and oils (6.50%), dietary supplements (2.68%), dry goods (1.64%), and household chemicals and cosmetics (0.31%). Beverages saw the biggest price increase — up 18.17% in October of this year compared to 2023. Price changes were recorded in every product group studied, but the smallest difference was in household chemicals and cosmetics (0.31% cheaper in October 2024 than a year earlier).

Which Polish stores have the most products at minimum prices?

In October this year, when it comes to minimum product prices, Biedronka took the lead — offering 25 items at the lowest prices (even though the cheapest overall basket is at Lidl). Auchan came second with 7 cheapest products, followed by Lidl (3 products) and Selgros Cash & Carry (2 products). E.Leclerc, Intermarché, Makro Cash & Carry and Netto each had one product at the minimum price out of the 40 analysed.

Based on materials from ASM Sales Force Agency

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