The volume of online shops in Poland has been increasing on average for a decade and in the last couple of COVID-19 years it went up to a yearly dynamic of 14% per year. These findings place our country as the leader in the fastest expanding e-commerce markets in Europe. There are approximately 150,000 companies (in Poland) selling on the Internet via their own shop or on the leading Polish Allegro sales platform.
The Rise of Internet Shopping in Poland
Poland’s market for e-commerce has grown during the past decade at an incredible rate:
● The proportion of households with Internet available grew from 60% (2014) to 93.3% (2024).
● The proportion of Internet users engaged in online shopping increased by 45% (2014) to 90% (2024) among Internet users.
● The market value of B2C e-commerce rose 5-fold.
● The size of the B2B e-commerce market grew three-and-a-half times.
● The proportion of digital sales in overall sales grew 3 times, etc.
● the number of registered online stores increased by 2.5 times.
Around 84% of Poles regularly use some type of online network. The number of clicks and purchases carried out by the Polish on the internet has grown enormously. Information content remains the most used, but we also take advantage of the other options.
Online Banking as a Consequence
According to the Polish Banks Association’s report, the number of actively utilizing Internet banking services is constantly growing. The fourth quarter 2024 data indicates present numbers greater than 22 million such users.
About 88% of them are mobile banking app users. At the end of the previous year, the biggest percentage increases were recorded among phone-only customers. About the 3rd quarter of 2024, this is a rise up to 9%.
There are already over 13.5 million such customers. One of the reasons behind it is a simple registration process. Banks are copying the system online casinos have been using for years – if you ever visited the Vulkan Vegas login page, you know the benefits we’re talking about. They hunt information on products and services, read reviews, find shopping inspiration, search for prices and discounts, find bargains, buy, write down feedback on the purchase, or monitor their orders. Searching for data on products and services is common for a third of all Internet users and 2/3 of all Poles.
How Polish Shop Online?
Back in 2014, laptops & desktops played a leading role. Mobile phones contributed to about 10% of web traffic. Nowadays, the situation is a bit different – mobile devices are responsible for generating more than half of network traffic. Besides smartphones, smartwatches and smart TVs are now also being utilized to make purchases.
Still, they are missing important functions which will easily and delightfully facilitate shopping. For the Poles, the smart solution is typical, i.e., they use gadgets that allow them to shop with maximum effectiveness, at minimum cost, and with no hustle. The most common are laptops (73%) and smartphones (75%). Notably, in 2024, for the first time in the history of the concept, the accessibility of a mobile telephone compared to a laptop computer was measured in relation to the devices used most often for e-shopping. Although last year m-commerce was of particular interest to young participants, in 2024, it is already a phenomenon applied to all participants.
Cyber Security & Poland’s E-Commerce
The cybersecurity environment of e-commerce in Poland has changed considerably, while the country develops its digital infrastructure and regulatory frameworks. As the online shopping market grows at an accelerated pace, Polish enterprises and individuals are more concerned about preventing cyber-attacks and sensitive data theft. Various security enhancement initiatives have been put in place by the government such as the introduction of the National Cybersecurity System Act and EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) compliance. Polish e-commerce enterprises are obliged to implement strict cybersecurity measures that will guarantee financial transaction data security and user data protection, such as encryption, secure payment processing, and anti-fraud algorithms. Furthermore, the Polish emerging cybersecurity community and collaboration with international cybersecurity companies help to strengthen the resilience of the ecosystem as a whole. However, challenges still exist, including the need to raise awareness amongst SMEs and consumers about cyber threats and the need to take steps to prevent them.
Phishing, data theft, and payment fraud remain serious threats to Poland’s e-commerce landscape. To counter these threats Polish companies will need to increase their cybersecurity capabilities by choosing technology, training, and becoming compliant with international standards. With the growth of the e-commerce sector, Polish attention to cybersecurity will become essential to maintain consumer confidence and the stability of the Polish digital economy.
The Future of Polish E-Commerce
The future of Poland’s e-business is bright, fueled by rising levels of internet users, a digitally literate society, and growing trust in online shopping among consumers. Since mobile commerce and digital payment are on the rise, manufacturers will continue to foster user-friendly platforms and secure payment platforms. Poland is continuing to develop its logistics, and delivery infrastructure, which will further improve the customer experience. In so doing, e-commerce vendors will also probably utilize AI, data analytics, and automation to optimize processes and personalize services. Nevertheless, cybersecurity and privacy issues will still be of central importance and require companies to constantly enhance their digital security measures to maintain consumer confidence and regulatory compliance.