RETAILING IN POLAND

Discusses the changes in the structure of Polish retailing since 1982. Reference is made to the failure of the economic reform programme attempted by the socialist regime in Poland and the importance, since 1989, of the changed political system to the transformation of retailing in Poland. Discusses the significance of the demonopolization and removal of state control to the restructuring and privatization of retailing. Highlights the new forms of retailing which have accompanied the privatization process. In particular, the number of retail stores and the types of selling points have changed profoundly although significant regional differences remain in the progress of the privatization movement and, in consequence, the number and type of retail outlets.