Poland's retail park sector has experienced remarkable growth, with over 290 large retail parks now operating across the country, totalling 3.2 million sqm of space. This represents a 21% share of modern retail stock, double the share recorded in 2010, Avison Young Poland reports.
The sector's origins date back to the late 1990s, coinciding with Poland's political transformation. Early pioneers developed projects on the outskirts of major metropolitan areas, establishing retail destinations that were later supplemented by other formats.
The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 highlighted the resilience of retail parks, as their open architectural layouts meant they were largely unaffected by closures or restrictions. This reinforced investor confidence and accelerated the trend toward local and convenience shopping.
Between 2020 and 2024 alone, an additional 1.5 million sqm was added, with another 120,000 sqm completed in the first half of 2025. Looking ahead, around 500,000 sqm of new retail park space is planned for completion in 2026.
Over 70% of retail parks completed since 2020 fall within the 5,000-10,000 sqm range, with 60% built in towns with fewer than 50,000 residents. Poland's market is also supported by more than 400 smaller convenience retail parks between 2,000-5,000 sqm, providing an additional 1.3 million sqm nationwide.
