The e-commerce market in Poland is developing at a dizzying pace, and the grocery trade segment – although until recently considered niche – is growing stronger faster than most other industries. The pandemic accelerated the digital transformation of food shopping, and new technologies in logistics, delivery models, and offer personalization are making e-grocery a permanent element of consumers’ everyday lives. What is driving this trend, and what prospects lie ahead for the industry?
The online sale of food, beverages, and tobacco products is growing at a pace that few expected just a few years ago. According to data from the Polish Press Agency, over the past year this segment has grown by as much as 43.6% compared to 2024. This is not a temporary surge – the figures show a steady trend that continues regardless of the season or economic situation. According to forecasts from ecommercedb.com, in 2025 the value of the Polish e-grocery market is expected to reach around USD 1.44 billion, and four years later to exceed USD 2.38 billion. This represents a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.5%. In practice – if we maintain the current pace – online grocery shopping in Poland will grow faster than most other sectors in e-commerce.
Although online grocery shopping is developing rapidly, its share of the entire Polish e-commerce market is still relatively small – around 4.6% of the market. For comparison, the entire online retail sector in Poland is forecast to reach a value of USD 31 billion in 2027 and account for as much as 20% of total retail sales. It is therefore clear that e-grocery is still building its position in this segment, but the growth dynamics suggest that in the coming years its importance will continue to increase. This is especially true as consumers are increasingly treating online grocery shopping as part of their daily routine, combining it with purchases of other products in a single cart.
The COVID-19 pandemic greatly accelerated changes in the way we buy food. When brick-and-mortar stores were operating in a limited capacity, many consumers tried online grocery shopping for the first time – and stuck with it. We began making larger purchases for stock, planning them in advance, and more often choosing products that can be stored for longer periods. FMCG items gained popularity: dry foods, ready meals, and cleaning products. For many people, this was the moment when the internet shifted from being a convenient addition to becoming the primary channel for everyday shopping.
According to forecasts from ecommercedb.com, in 2025 the value of the Polish e-grocery market is expected to reach around USD 1.44 billion, and four years later to exceed USD 2.38 billion.
The development of e-grocery is largely the result of investments in modern logistics and technologies. More and more companies are opting for so-called dark stores – warehouses dedicated exclusively to fulfilling online orders – which shortens order processing times and allows for better inventory management. In major cities, q-commerce is also on the rise, offering express delivery within 10–15 minutes and changing the way we think about “last-minute” shopping. Added to this are increasingly efficient mobile apps that make it easier to place orders, track deliveries, and contact customer service, while process automation enables faster response times and a more personalized offer for customers.
An increasing number of retail chains are adopting the omnichannel model, combining in-store and online shopping into one seamless process. A customer can order products online and pick them up at a nearby store, or check product availability in an app before going shopping. This model offers the convenience and flexibility that modern consumers expect. Added to this are AI-based tools – product recommendation systems that suggest items tailored to previous choices, and extensive loyalty programs that reward repeat purchases and encourage customers to stay within a single shopping ecosystem.
Allegro has long maintained its position as the largest sales platform in Poland, with its current market share at 38.8% (Reuters data, May 2025). In the first quarter of 2025, the company recorded an 8.9% year-on-year increase in gross merchandise value (GMV), reaching PLN 14.78 billion, as well as a 5.4% year-on-year increase in the number of active buyers (Reuters, 22.05.2025). The company’s strategy includes shortening delivery times – Allegro removes from its offer products with long fulfillment times while developing its own logistics network. The share of parcels delivered by the company’s operator has risen to 29%, allowing better control over the delivery process and increasing customer satisfaction.
More and more retail chains are moving their offerings online. Carrefour, Kaufland, and Biedronka allow customers to do full grocery shopping without leaving home – from bread to cleaning products. Orders can be delivered straight to the door or picked up at a designated point. Frisco.pl operates somewhat differently – it is an online supermarket focused on fresh products, including fruit and vegetables from local suppliers, as well as premium items. Such platforms no longer compete solely on price. Quality, delivery timeliness, and the assurance that the ordered goods will be exactly as expected are equally important.
More and more retail chains are moving their offerings online. Carrefour, Kaufland, and Biedronka allow customers to do full grocery shopping without leaving home.
Start-ups focusing on so-called q-commerce – extremely fast delivery – have also found their place in the e-grocery market. Glovo, Bolt, Lisek, and Jokr promise to deliver groceries within 10–15 minutes of placing an order. They operate mainly in large cities, where a dense network of storage points and couriers makes it possible to maintain such short fulfillment times. Customers most often use them when something is needed “right now” – milk for coffee, bread for breakfast, or snacks for a gathering with friends. This is a segment that strongly emphasizes convenience and spontaneity, while also requiring well-thought-out logistics and constant product availability.
The e-grocery market in Poland has good years ahead. Companies are investing in new logistics infrastructure – from warehouses dedicated to online sales to their own delivery networks. As a result, purchases reach customers faster and in better condition. At the same time, trust in buying food online is growing. More and more people are discovering that fresh products can arrive at their homes in the same condition as those chosen in a brick-and-mortar store. If this trend continues, online grocery shopping will become an everyday habit for many households.
Despite the rapid development, e-grocery still faces serious challenges. One of the biggest is the profitability of last-mile delivery – the final stretch from the warehouse to the customer. This stage generates the highest costs, while customers expect it to be both fast and inexpensive. On top of that, there is increasingly fierce price competition – many players try to attract buyers with promotions, which makes it difficult to maintain margins. At the same time, quality must be maintained, because when it comes to fresh food, even minor delays or improper storage can discourage a customer for a long time.
Companies are investing in new logistics infrastructure – from warehouses dedicated to online sales to their own delivery networks. As a result, purchases reach customers faster and in better condition.
The e-grocery market in Poland has grown from a niche into one of the fastest-growing segments of e-commerce. The pandemic accelerated changes in shopping habits, and investments in logistics, new technologies, and sales channel integration have made online grocery shopping convenient and increasingly accessible. Forecasts indicate continued double-digit growth, driven by rising customer trust and the development of delivery infrastructure. However, the industry still faces challenges – especially the profitability of last-mile delivery, price pressure, and maintaining high product quality. Those who combine speed and reliability of delivery with a good offer and the ability to build customer loyalty will succeed. In this game, it’s not only technology that matters but also an understanding of customers’ everyday needs.
The development of e-grocery is not only about statistics and forecasts, but also about the real actions of companies that can be seen up close. An excellent opportunity for this is the WorldFood Poland food and beverage exhibition – the largest event in the country for the food industry. This is where producers, distributors, retail chains, and technology providers showcase their innovations, establish partnerships, and discuss the trends that will shape the market in the coming years. In recent editions, increasing attention has been paid to online sales, logistics, and solutions supporting e-commerce, which shows that e-grocery is becoming an important part of the entire food sector in Poland.
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Food e-commerce, or e-grocery, is the sale of grocery products over the internet. It includes both fresh items such as fruit, vegetables, and dairy products, as well as dry goods, beverages, ready meals, and household cleaning products. Orders can be placed via a website or app, with delivery going directly to the home or to a pickup point.
Polish e-commerce is growing rapidly. In 2023, its value was around PLN 109 billion, and forecasts indicate growth to PLN 187–192 billion in 2027–2028. According to PMR, the compound annual growth rate is around 11%, meaning that online shopping will account for an increasingly larger share of retail trade.
Around 4.6% of the value of the Polish e-commerce market.
According to data from the Polish Press Agency (PAP), online food sales increased by 43.6% year-on-year, and forecasts indicate an average annual growth rate of 13.5% through 2029.