Major grocery chains in the Czech Republic have been expanding at a rate of about forty new stores annually, with nearly two thousand outlets now operating across the country. According to research agencies, shoppers increasingly value convenience and time-saving when making purchases. Unlike in the past, consumers are less willing to travel far from home for special offers, while home delivery services for groceries are gaining popularity – and not just for large orders.
Lidl, the market leader with annual revenue of 88 billion Czech crowns last year, finds its greatest success outside the capital city. Particularly strong performance comes from the Liberec, Central Bohemian, and Pilsen regions. Kaufland holds second place in the market, while Albert achieved sales just under 80 billion crowns.
Consumer behavior continues to evolve. Penny Market, which leads with 434 stores and plans further expansion this year, reports that customers now prefer fewer but larger shopping trips compared to last year’s trend of frequent smaller purchases. Czech products are increasingly sought after, though discounts remain important, with “near-expiry” food packages proving particularly popular.
Online grocery shopping is experiencing dramatic growth, with a nearly 30 percent increase in online supermarket sales. While few Czechs shop exclusively online, about one-third have tried online grocery services. The market is dominated by Rohlík and Košík, which together hold 70 percent of the online grocery sector. Major chains’ e-shops represent about 20 percent, while delivery services like Foodora and Wolt account for 5 percent.
Delivery patterns reveal interesting consumer habits. Rohlík couriers deliver up to 10,000 orders daily from their Prague warehouse, with the average order containing twenty items. Foodora reports highest demand between 4-9 PM, with weekend peaks from Friday through Sunday. Even nighttime orders are surprisingly common, typically for smaller “forgotten” items, with bread and bananas being particularly popular late-night purchases.