Biedronka Chain to Open First Stores in Slovakia in March

Krakow, February 19 (TASR-correspondent) - The Polish chain Biedronka will open its stores in Slovakia on March 5, Maciej Lukowski, responsible for the company's expansion into Slovakia, told TASR's special correspondent during a press conference in Krakow on Wednesday. The stores are planned to be in large and small cities as well as villages. "We're first focusing on building stores in small and medium-sized cities, with Bratislava being our next step," Lukowski stated. Biedronka will offer 3,400 items and plans to source half of its fresh food products from Slovak suppliers, with the long-term goal of having 40 percent Slovak products on the shelves. Lukowski also commented on whether Slovak customers can expect Polish prices. According to him, the Slovak market and business conditions are very different from those in Poland, so it's impossible to give a definitive answer. "No one will compensate for the difference in taxes (on food – ed. note)," added Lukowski, but emphasised that they aim to differentiate themselves from competitors through pricing and good discounts. The Biedronka chain is owned by the Portuguese group Jeronimo Martins, and with a turnover of €23.57 billion, it had a 30 percent market share in its sector in Poland in 2024. With over 81,000 employees, it's the largest employer in Poland. lin/mcs