Feb. 28 - Report Highlights
Poland's food retailing sector continues to modernize as consumer incomes grow much faster in real terms than the rest of Europe (18-20% annually) for many of Poland’s 38.6 million people. Hypermarkets increased from 276 in 2003 to 295 in 2006, while sales in discount stores are to increase over 20% during the next four years. Consumers with money are spending it on better lifestyles like higher quality foods. Sometimes U.S. sales are hampered by stiff Polish and EU competition, stringent food ingredient regulations, and costly terms of business to get product onto large retailers' shelves. Further development of the retail sector could be limited by recently introduced regulations concerning permits for building and mandatory holiday closures. There are opportunities as outlined in Section IV, "Best Prospects" for high quality U.S. foods such as pears, pistachios, ice cream, wines, bourbon, lobsters and others have entered the Polish market over the last year.