History of the Żabka chain of stores

Żabka is one of the largest and most popular convenience store chains in Poland. Founded in 1998 by entrepreneur Mariusz Świtalski, the company has come a long way, adapting to market changes and implementing innovative solutions to meet the needs of its customers.

Start of operations and expansion

The first seven Żabka stores were opened in Poznan and Swazędz in 1998. By October 2005, the chain had grown to 1,700 stores across Poland, indicating rapid expansion and popularity among consumers.

Ownership changes and investments

In 2007, Żabka was acquired by the investment company Penta Investments. In December 2010, Penta sold the Czech operations of Żabka to the British retailer Tesco. In February 2011, Penta signed an agreement to sell Żabka Polska’s Polish operations to Mid Europa Partners. In 2017, Żabka was acquired by the Luxembourg-based investment company CVC Capital Partners.

Rebranding and innovation

In 2016, Żabka rebranded itself, updating its logo and store interiors to reflect current trends and increase customer appeal. Following the introduction of the Sunday shopping ban in Poland in 2018, Żabka focused on introducing self-service and automated, unmanned stores using the Microsoft Azure cloud platform.

International expansion and new formats

In December 2023, Żabka announced plans to open its first stores in Romania under the Froo brand, with the goal of having 200 stores and reaching €175 million in revenue by the end of the year. The company is also experimenting with new formats, such as unmanned stores called Żabka Nano, which operate without staff and cash registers. The first such store was opened at the Poznan International Fair in June 2021.

Current status and achievements

As of 2023, Żabka has more than 10,000 stores across Poland, serving more than three million customers every day. The company offers a wide range of products under its own brands, such as Szamamm ready meals, Tomcio Paluch sandwiches, Wycisk fresh juices and lemonades, and Foodini healthy drinks. Żabka also provides a variety of services, including lottery ticket sales, account top-ups, utility bills, and parcel delivery.

Plans for the future

“Żabka continues to expand and introduce new technologies, aiming to become the largest operator of autonomous stores in the world. The company also plans further international expansion and the development of new store formats to meet changing consumer needs and market trends.

Thanks to its continuous development and adaptation to market conditions, Żabka remains a leader among convenience store chains in Poland, offering its customers modern solutions and a wide range of goods and services.