Fozzy Group may enter the Polish market: what is known
16 October 2025 19:58
French retailer Carrefour is considering selling its assets in Poland, where the company owns more than 760 stores and 40 shopping centers.
According to the Polish edition of Wiadomosci Handlowe, the potential buyers include the Ukrainian group Fozzy Group, owner of the Silpo, Fora and Thrash! retail chains, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports.
Fozzy already has ties with Carrefour: the group owns 90% of IDKFA IDCLIP, which operates one of Carrefour’s stores in Poznan under a franchise.
Why it matters
The possible sale of Carrefour’s business in Poland could be the most high-profile deal in the Central European retail market in recent years.
For the Ukrainian Fozzy Group, this is a historic chance to enter the European market under its own brand or through the acquisition of an already developed chain.
Carrefour, for its part, continues to reduce its presence in less profitable regions, focusing on Western European markets.
What we know about Carrefour
At the end of the second quarter of 2025, Carrefour had in Poland:
- 95 hypermarkets
- 148 supermarkets,
- 518 convenience stores (Carrefour Express),
- 7 Supeco discount stores,
- 40 shopping centers.
The company has been actively developing a franchise model, part of which is controlled by the Ukrainian Fozzy Group through its partner Maciej Gawronski.
What the market says
Retail expert Ihor Huglia believes that Silpo’s entry into the Polish market is a logical step, as about 1.5 million Ukrainians live in Poland.
“The chain knows its customers and their preferences well and is able to effectively adapt its assortment to their interests. This is a huge advantage,” Guglia said.
At the same time, he emphasizes that the Polish market is extremely competitive, and Fozzy will have to solve the logistics issue:
the company’s nearest distribution center is in Lviv, 200-300 km from Polish cities.
What challenges does Fozzy Group face?
- Logistics: without its own distribution center in Poland, large-scale expansion will be difficult.
- Competition: the market is saturated with local and international players – Lidl, Biedronka, Auchan.
- Investments: According to experts, at least 150-200 stores are needed to serve Ukrainian consumers in Poland alone.
What the company says
Fozzy Group has not yet commented on its possible participation in the purchase of Carrefour Poland.
Earlier, the group, together with Polish manager Maciej Gawronski, created a joint venture company IDKFA IDCLIP, which already has a franchise agreement with Carrefour.
Carrefour is the largest retailer in Europe and the second largest in the world after Walmart. The company operates in 30 countries.
Fozzy Group is one of the largest trading corporations in Ukraine.
