Biedronka or Lidl: which supermarket is cheaper in Poland?

In Poland, Biedronka and Lidl supermarkets are true retail giants that have been fighting for decades for the hearts (and wallets) of customers. Both brands have significant market influence and offer a wide range of products at competitive prices. But which of these supermarkets is really cheaper? Let’s find out by analyzing their prices, marketing strategies, and history of rivalry.

A brief history of the two giants

Biedronka

Biedronka, owned by the Portuguese company Jerónimo Martins, appeared on the Polish market in 1995. Today, it is the largest supermarket chain in Poland, with more than 3,300 stores. Its main strategy is to offer everyday products at low prices. Biedronka is associated with affordability, great promotions, and a wide range of local Polish products.

Lidl

Lidl is a German discount retailer that started its operations in Poland in 2002. Now Lidl has more than 900 stores in the country. Its strengths are high quality products, a large selection of imported goods, and regular culinary themed weeks (e.g., Italian Week or Asian Week). Lidl positions itself as a supermarket for people looking for a balance between quality and price.

Who is cheaper: price comparison

Prices for different products in both supermarkets are constantly changing, so it is difficult to really track who is cheaper, and this information will be relevant only at a given time. For example, milk may be cheaper in one store and eggs in the other. The same applies to a number of other products and depends on the day, as well as other factors such as promotions. Lidl runs an advertising campaign claiming that if you buy the same products in both stores, the products in Lidl are cheaper. Whether this is actually true can only be checked by visiting both stores and comparing prices for the same products, but even then, the information will be relevant only “for today”.

Promotional offers

Lidl often attracts customers with big promotions, such as “2 for the price of 1” or discounts on premium products. For example, during the “Italian week” you can find high-quality olives, cheeses and pasta at very favorable prices, which are less common in Biedronka.

Product quality

While price is an important factor, customers also pay attention to quality. Lidl is known for its private brands (e.g. Pilos, Deluxe), which offer premium quality at a reasonable price. Biedronka also has its own brands, and although their products are more focused on the budget customer, the quality of these products also remains high.

Competition for customers: marketing wars

Biedronka

• Promotions and discounts: Biedronka regularly holds large-scale sales, such as discounts on fruits and vegetables or meat products.
• Localization: There is a strong emphasis on Polish producers. This creates the image of a “national” store.
• Customer loyalty: The Biedronka Card program allows you to receive additional discounts on selected products.

Lidl

• Quality and variety: Lidl attracts customers with exclusive high quality products that are difficult to find in other chains.
• Thematic weeks: Imported products from different countries make shopping at Lidl interesting for gourmets.
• Long-term strategy: Lidl invests in new stores, providing convenient shopping in all regions of Poland.

What do customers choose?

Biedronka:

Customers looking for the lowest prices on everyday goods usually choose Biedronka. Here you can buy basic products much cheaper, especially during promotions.

Lidl:

People who value quality, a wide range of imported goods and thematic offers prefer Lidl. Although the prices are not necessarily higher, and may be lower, customers value Lidl primarily because of the high quality of the products.

Conclusion: who won?

If you are looking for the cheapest products, Biedronka offers low prices for most basic goods. However, if quality and variety are important to you, Lidl may be a better choice.

After all, many customers combine their purchases by visiting both chains: Biedronka for basic needs, and Lidl for high-quality delicacies or imported goods. This is the secret of the long-term rivalry between these two giants: they complement each other, remaining the favorite stores of Polish shoppers.