Snack market in Poland

The snack market in Poland is estimated at 2 billion PLN which represent 110000 tonne (Nielsen 06/2010-05/2011, except petrol stations). The market is developing dynamically, which is linked to changing lifestyle and also to enlargement of supply. Indeed, the variety of products, tastes, packaging, weight let everybody find something for himself.

The market segmentation
The most important category of this market are chips (44,4% in value and 37% in volume). The supply tend to be more attractive and evolve towards more innovative tastes (kebab onion f.ex.). In addition, consumers buy more often bigger pack (+100g). The sale of chips is influenced by producers activity related to all kinds of sales campaigns (games, toys in packs etc.).
Small crunchy is the second most important category (26,6% in value and 19,3% in volume). They are bought mostly by young peoples.
Sticks occupy the third position with 13,5% in value and 21,3 in volume.
Another category that deserves attention are peanuts and dried fruits. Henceforth their use is not limited only to cooking. The more and more often they are appreciate as snacks, especially by people who pay attention to healthy eating. The season of high consumption of peanuts and dried fruits is spring-winter. The packs bought more often are those of 500g but also mini-packs « for one time » of 40g. The barrier is the price because peanuts are relatively expensive compared to others snacks.

Curiously, the crisis did not affect negatively the market of snacks. According to experts, the consumption was even stimulated by crisis. « People stay at home, sit in their couch, watch TV and.... eat snacks ». In addition to the tendency of introduction of new tastes, the market will evolve towards products « light ». The experts observe increasing demand in this direction. The week level of consumption of snacks in Poland (annually 2kg per capita) in comparison with other European countries suggests that the market will continue the increase.

Sources:

Kazdy lubi pochrupac
Hurt i Detal N° 6/ 2009

Rynek slonych przekasek systematycznie rosnie
Rzeczpospolita février 2010

Rynek solonych snackow moze rosnac o kilkanascie procent rocznie
Dla Handlu février 2010

Rynki produktow – kategoria stabilna
septembre 2011 Detal Dzisiaj

The market of organic food in Poland

The value of market of organic food in Poland is estimated at 50 mln euros (Instytut Uprawy Nawozenia I Gleboznawstwa Panstwowego Instytutu Badawczego, May 2011).
This number represents about 1% of total food market.
In 2010 this market grew between 15% and 20%. The growth in 2011 is estimated at 20%. Another source, Euromonitor International evaluate that in 2011 Poles will spend on organic paced food 63 mln euros.
The experts forecast the dynamic growth at mid-term. Depending on sources, it could be
77 mln euros in 2015
3% to 4% of total market food in 2020.
In comparaison organic food market represents in euros : 68 mln in Czech Republic, 25 mln in Hungary, 12 mln in Estonia, 5 mln in Bulgaria 4 mln in Slovakia and 5 mln in Romania.

Gourmet supermarket chains in Poland

1. The gourmet supermarket chain's business model.
The gourmet chains business model is based on the very large offer (Bomi 35 thousands positions, Alma 50-60 thousands in comparison with Biedronka hard discount 1000 positions) many of whom are luxury items very often imported. Another, very important element of this model is very kind atmosphere and service. Of course clients pay this advantages in higher prices.

2. The difficulties dues to the crisis.
The crisis caused the decrease of purchasing power but also increase of prices of imported products because of strong zloty.
The first difficulty is the fall of attendance of gourmet supermarket chains. It started in 2009 when costumers swift to the discounts looking for lower prices.
The second difficulty related to the first one is the reticence of new created shopping centers to host this markets because of prices considered too high.

3. The gourmet supermarket chain's replay.
Facing this difficulties, the gourmet supermarket chains decided to decrease prices. This strategy has been continued since 2009. It seems working for Alma and Piotr i Pawel that succeeded in maintaining their customers loyalty. Though Bomi bet on multiply special offers and recorded the decrease of attendance.
The second factor is the tendency to replace imported products by “made in Poland”. Also prices of this products were decreased in order to align them with the competition. Some studies show that the prices in gourmet supermarket chains are paradoxically lower than theses in hypermarkets and in hard discounts. This decrease was even accelerated at the end of august 2011.
The quality has less importance on the scale of costumers priority. This is one of the reasons for which Piotr I Pawel want increase sales of their private label from 1% to 2%. However their representative assure that about 30% of their offer will still be the luxury products.

The experts forecast that gourmet supermarket chains will come back to their basic business model. They have their place in retail landscape but in the few next years will became more and more niche market.
Nevertheless the two principal chains are developing. In 2011 Piotr i Pawel will open 10 new stores (they have 76) and Alma 4 (they have 28).

Sources:
Bogatych klientów jest za mało, by luksusowe delikatesy wyszły na swoje.
January 2011; Gazetaprawna.pl

Coraz mniej luksusu w delikatesach.
May 2010 Dziennik Gazeta Prawna

Delikatesy w starciu z dyskontami
September 2011 ; Dziennik Metro

Delikatesy tansze niw sieci dyskontowe
January 2011 ; Dziennik Gazeta prawna

Delikatesy tansze od hipermarketow
January 2011 Bankier.pl, Handel-net.