Poland’s largest convenience store network is taking an unusual approach to growth. With more than 12,500 locations and 18 million customers living within 500 meters of a store, the company is now expanding abroad – and positioning itself as a Swiss Army knife for modern shoppers.
The chain, known in Poland as Żabka, has built its business around what it calls a 'modern convenience ecosystem.’ It has 11,000 franchisees running stores across the country and processes 4.3 million transactions every day. The goal is not just to sell snacks and drinks but to become an indispensable part of daily life.
– Our digital customer expects us to be efficient and intuitive. We try to be like a Swiss Army knife, comprehensively satisfying our customers’ needs – said Wojciech Krok, Managing Director of Żabka Future and a member of the company’s board.
Expansion beyond Poland – the Romanian experiment
Two years ago, in June 2024, Żabka opened its first store in Romania under the Froo brand. After just one year, the company already had 100 outlets there. Today, the number exceeds 200. The threshold for market saturation is set high, meaning more openings are planned in the near future.
Romanian Froo stores are physically larger than their Polish counterparts. Customer interest is remarkable: 35 percent of transactions involve hot snacks and ready-made meals. This shows that the convenience model, adapted to local tastes, works well.
Focus on scale – regional markets under observation
Żabka is closely watching other markets in Central and Eastern Europe, but for now it is concentrating entirely on building scale in Romania. The company declines to name specific countries for future entry, though it confirms that expansion remains a strategic priority.
In Poland, the network continues to grow month by month. The ecosystem includes carefully selected products, useful services, and a comfortable shopping experience. The company insists that physical proximity, digital tools, and an ever-wider range of offerings are the keys to keeping customers loyal.
Źródło: WNP.PL, Fot. Materiały prasowe / Żabka
