Several EU retailers plan to enter the Ukrainian market.

Serhiy Kolesnyk, co-owner of the popular Polish retail chain Best Market, announced his intention to expand into Ukraine if the military situation stabilizes. The chain is currently developing the Best Market, Foodex24, Foodex Express, and Best Beer brands. According to Kolesnyk, the Foodex Express stores, with their convenient format, hold the greatest potential for the Ukrainian market. The final decision will depend on Ukrainian realities.

“As soon as the situation calms down, we will return to the issue of expansion into Ukraine. The potential for store development there is very large,” said Kolesnyk.

Additionally, Ukrainian experts believe that the Ukrainian arrival of Lidl, a German chain, and Biedronka, a Polish chain, is only a matter of time. During the full-scale war, launching large Western grocery chains is unlikely, but once fighting stops and conditions for a ceasefire or peace are favorable enough that foreign companies will not be worried excessively about investing, these brands are likely to appear. Even during the war, these international discounters continue to study the Ukrainian retail market.