{"id":5130,"date":"2026-04-28T18:16:07","date_gmt":"2026-04-28T18:16:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ceo.com.pl\/en\/?p=5130"},"modified":"2026-04-28T18:16:07","modified_gmt":"2026-04-28T18:16:07","slug":"zabka-group-reports-12-sales-growth-and-435-new-store-openings-in-q1-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ceo.com.pl\/en\/zabka-group-reports-12-sales-growth-and-435-new-store-openings-in-q1-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"\u017babka Group Reports 12% Sales Growth and 435 New Store Openings in Q1 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"
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In the first quarter of 2026, Sales to End Customers (StEC) for the \u017babka Group increased by 12% year-on-year, reaching PLN 7.4 billion. Like-for-like (LfL) sales growth, which stood at 3.2%, was significantly impacted by exceptionally unfavorable weather conditions in January and February this year, when low temperatures and snowfall restricted customer traffic. As the weather improved, a clear increase in store traffic and an improvement in sales dynamics were observed in the subsequent weeks of the quarter.<\/b><\/p>\n

Adjusted EBITDA reached PLN 674 million, up 13.1% year-on-year. Driven by further network expansion, LfL growth, and consistent cost optimization, the adjusted EBITDA margin rose to 9.1% from 9.0% a year earlier. The adjusted net loss narrowed to PLN 51 million, representing an improvement of PLN 25 million year-on-year, primarily due to further growth in operating results and reduced financial costs. It is worth emphasizing the seasonal nature of the Group\u2019s operations \u2013 the first quarter generally has the smallest impact on the full-year result due to weather conditions limiting customer traffic and a less favorable product mix. In this context, the achieved results confirm the resilience of the Group\u2019s business model and create a solid foundation for development in the following periods of the year.<\/b><\/p>\n

The Group, which constitutes the largest modern convenience ecosystem in Europe, opened 435 new stores in Poland and Romania in the first quarter. The sustained high pace of expansion allows the Group to confidently move toward achieving its goal of over 1,300 new locations throughout 2026. Network development is supported by a steady influx of new franchisees, confirming the effectiveness of the adopted growth strategy and the high attractiveness of the franchise model and the partnership proposal with \u017babka.<\/b><\/p>\n

Tomasz Sucha\u0144ski, CEO of \u017babka Group, comments:<\/b><\/p>\n

\u201cIn the first quarter, we consistently implemented our strategic objectives. Above all, we are maintaining a high pace of network expansion, launching as many as 435 new locations in Poland and Romania, which corresponds to an average of nearly five openings per day. Strong interest from franchisees and intensive development in both markets confirm our ability to further scale the business and put us on track to achieve our target of over 1,300 new openings in 2026. In the first quarter of 2026, we maintained a balance between sales growth in existing locations and further network expansion, while maintaining stable profitability. This was possible thanks to consistent cost control and responsible expenditure management. Despite the coldest winter in over 10 years, we recorded double-digit revenue growth and like-for-like (LfL) sales dynamics of 3.2%. The growing scale of operations, consistent cost discipline, and investments in technology and infrastructure create a solid foundation for further development and sales growth in the subsequent, seasonally stronger quarters.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n

Tomasz Blicharski, Group Chief Strategy & Development Officer, stated:<\/b><\/p>\n

\u201cThe first quarter of 2026 clearly demonstrated what sets \u017babka apart from the market: the ability to respond flexibly to environmental challenges and effectively adapt the offering to the expectations of modern convenience format customers. Our speed of adaptation stems from a combination of data analytics, the use of AI-based solutions, and high operational flexibility, which allows us to efficiently introduce innovative products and services to the market. An excellent example is the \u2018Thursday Dinners\u2019 campaign, which proved to be a great success \u2013 sales of ready meals increased by over 30% in value and over 40% in volume. Every Thursday, we already sell over half a million meals. Simultaneously, we are consistently developing our digital businesses. All these initiatives reflect our consistent approach to growth: we leverage our core convenience platform while selectively expanding into related areas that increase the accessibility of our offer.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n

Marta Wrochna-\u0141astowska, CFO of \u017babka Group, adds:<\/b><\/p>\n

\u201cThe first quarter of 2026 confirmed that we effectively combine further growth in the scale of operations with cost discipline, which remains one of the cornerstones of our financial strategy. We continued to optimize operating costs, including improvements in logistics and measures to enhance energy efficiency, which translated into a year-on-year increase in the adjusted EBITDA margin. Despite the seasonally least significant quarter, negative working capital, and the opening of 435 new stores, we generated positive cash flows, which is further evidence of our business\u2019s excellent cash generation capacity. At the same time, the leverage ratio decreased further year-on-year, reaching 1.1x. Looking at subsequent periods, we maintain our expectation of mid-to-high single-digit like-for-like (LfL) sales growth in 2026 and over the medium term. We also assume maintaining the adjusted EBITDA margin in the upper part of the 12\u201313% range, while gradually improving the net profit margin toward approximately 4.5% in the medium term.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n

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