Poland retail market faces beer sales decline and rising consumer prices

The Polish retail market is experiencing significant shifts in consumer spending and product pricing. Data from GUS indicates that the alcoholic beer market has been in continuous decline for eight years, with sales dropping nearly 12% in the first half of 2026. Despite growth in the non-alcoholic beer segment, it has not been sufficient to offset the broader industry downturn.

Simultaneously, retail prices for daily goods rose by an average of 1.9% in July. According to a report by UCE Research and Uniwersytet WSB Merito, non-alcoholic beverages saw the highest increase at 5.6%, driven by the sugar tax and costs associated with the deposit return system. Other categories experiencing notable price hikes include household chemicals (+5.4%), bakery products (+5.2%), and sweets (+5.1%). Experts note that rising fuel prices continue to impact logistics and production costs across various sectors.