Early holiday retail trends in Poland and Croatia

Retailers in Poland and Croatia are increasingly adopting a trend known as ‘Christmas creep’, where holiday-themed products and decorations are introduced much earlier in the year.

In Poland, stores have begun stocking Christmas ornaments, advent calendars, and trees as early as September, often alongside Halloween items. This strategy aims to extend the holiday shopping season and capture consumer attention ahead of peak periods. Economists note that the Christmas season is a major economic driver in Poland, contributing approximately 6 billion PLN to the GDP during the fourth quarter.

Sociologist Katarzyna Konkel, head of the research company Omnisense, suggests that international retail chains are adopting practices from Anglo-Saxon markets to train consumers to purchase seasonal goods earlier. Similar patterns have been observed in Zadar, Croatia, where shopping centers display Christmas lights and ornaments while temperatures still reflect late summer conditions.

As the season progresses, Polish retailers are transitioning rapidly from autumn and Halloween themes to Christmas merchandise. Major chains like IKEA and Action have already introduced holiday collections and pre-lit artificial trees.

By early October, Polish retailers are entering a high-intensity period in preparation for Black Friday and the holiday surge. Major supermarket chains, including Biedronka, Lidl, and Żabka, have launched various promotional campaigns. Biedronka is offering discounts on sweets, dairy, and meats, while Lidl has introduced seasonal items for All Saints’ Day and specific discounts for Large Family Card holders.

This seasonal peak is also impacting the logistics sector. InPost reported handling 417.6 million parcels in Europe during the last quarter of 2025, with 220.2 million in Poland alone. This demand is driving increased recruitment for warehouse staff and forklift operators to mitigate potential logistical bottlenecks.