Grocery Price Ranking 2026: Who is Really the Cheapest?

The latest ASM SFA report reveals that while grocery price growth has slowed, basic household baskets are nearly 5 percent more expensive than a year ago, with major retailers seeing shifting rankings.

Prices Have Dipped, Yet Wallets Still Feel the Pinch

According to ASM SFA data, the average cost of a standard grocery basket in May 2026 was 331.54 PLN, marking a 4.35 PLN decrease from the previous month. Despite this minor monthly relief, the year-over-year picture remains difficult for consumers.

Comparing May 2026 prices to those of May 2025, when the identical basket cost 316.06 PLN, reveals a 15.48 PLN increase. This represents a nearly 5 percent rise, confirming that while inflation has decelerated, the cost of living remains high for most Polish households.

Retailers Ranked: Auchan Leads, POLOmarket Most Expensive

Auchan emerged as the most affordable chain in the recent assessment, with an average basket value of 309.06 PLN. It was followed by Makro Cash & Carry at 311.18 PLN and Selgros Cash & Carry at 312.71 PLN.

At the other end of the spectrum, POLOmarket was identified as the most expensive retailer, with the same set of products costing an average of 355.92 PLN.

The Cost of Strategic Shopping

The price gap between the cheapest and most expensive chains reached nearly 47 PLN. For families doing weekly grocery runs, this difference can result in several hundred zlotys of savings over the course of a year.

Authors of the report note that if a shopper selected the absolute cheapest price for each individual product across all surveyed locations, the basket would cost just 232.88 PLN, compared to 390.01 PLN at the most expensive price points. This 157 PLN spread highlights the importance of comparing prices and leveraging local promotions.

Discount Chains Fall Behind Expectations

Contrary to popular belief, discount stores did not dominate the top of the rankings. Cash & Carry formats, including Makro and Selgros, proved to be the most affordable category overall, averaging 311.94 PLN.

Lidl and Biedronka, often perceived by consumers as the cheapest options, did not secure a spot in the top three. Furthermore, Lidl saw the largest month-over-month increase in basket value at 2.09 percent, and a 10.27 percent increase compared to the previous year. While apps and coupons can still offer savings, the assumption that discount stores are always the cheapest is not consistently supported by data.

Why Grocery Costs Remain Elevated

Although inflation is lower than in previous years, it only indicates that prices are rising more slowly, not that they are decreasing. Most food items remain more expensive than they were a year ago.

Experts do not expect a sudden drop in prices in the coming months. Instead, they project a period of price stabilization rather than a significant decline in the cost of basic consumer goods.