With rising prices, Czechs are increasingly drawn to shopping abroad, particularly in Poland, where individuals and companies have found a niche in providing cheap goods to Czech households. A large hypermarket in Zabrze, about 60 kilometers from Ostrava, attracts hundreds of Czech shoppers who take advantage of the price differences, especially for larger purchases.
Online shopping and courier services are being utilized to bring these affordable goods to Czech households. While some Polish shops do not offer cross-border delivery, Czech businesses are stepping in to fill the gap. For instance, Martin Gavenda from Ostrava frequently travels to the hypermarket in Zabrze and provides delivery services to others through his website. He notes that even with the less favorable exchange rate of the Polish zloty compared to a year ago, people can still save 30 to 40 percent on their purchases.
Clients have access to a wide range of products at the Polish hypermarket, including various cheese and sausage varieties, with noticeable price differences compared to Czech prices. Goods such as meat, Gouda cheese, and chicken breasts are particularly attractively priced. Some individuals offer personalized shopping services, allowing customers to place orders online, which are then fulfilled and delivered to their homes for a fee.
Patrik Knap from Hrádek nad Nisou has built a successful business on importing goods from Poland. He operates a company that fulfills more than a thousand orders per month. The increased interest in importing goods started during the COVID-19 pandemic when people turned to the internet and found cheaper options abroad. His company offers delivery services for items such as clothes and car parts, with a warehouse in Poland to facilitate the process.
While some businesses specialize in particular goods, individuals are also getting involved in cross-border shopping. For example, Eva from Jičín imports Polish drugstore products and offers them to interested customers via social media and parcel services.
While some shoppers prefer to make their own trips to Polish stores, others find convenience in using delivery services to obtain affordable products. Despite the zloty exchange rate, many still find shopping in Poland worthwhile for items like juices, muesli, nappies, sweets, and various food products.
Overall, the price differences between Poland and the Czech Republic continue to attract Czech consumers, leading to increased cross-border shopping, either in person or through online channels. Many see this as a cost-saving measure, especially for essential goods like food.
