Marketplace Trade in Poland. State in 2008-2018 and Prospects

In Poland, marketplace trade has a long tradition. There are interesting trends in its development. This form of trade was intensified substantially in the first years of the systemic transformation. A significant increase in the number of marketplaces was also observed in 2000-2008. However, the role of the marketplace in the retail trade sector has declined since 2008. The aim of this paper is to illustrate changes in trading at street markets in2008-2018, identify the main factors influencing their development and pinpoint those which will be significant in future. The sources include secondary data of the Polish Central Statistical Office (GUS) from the Local Data Bank (BDL), internal market statistics, direct research results, reports from various analytical institutions and agencies and available literature. The analysis of the data showed that the number of street markets in Poland declined by 1240 during 2008-2018, including 105 permanent markets and 1135 seasonal ones. The main reason for this change was the growth of discount stores and changes in customer preferences. Government programmes aimed at revitalising street markets and legal regulations facilitating the direct sale of food produced by farmers have not reversed this trend. The observed significant increase in consumer interest in unprocessed food which is safe for human health, which might be linked to the coronavirus pandemic, could result in a revival of street markets.