Theoretical and practical aspects of organizing the food supply chain

Among all sales sectors, the most dynamically developing one in the last decade is the FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer Goods) industry, also referred to as CPG (Consumer Packaged Goods). These terms refer to everyday products, fast-moving goods, or high-turnover goods. They can also be defined as the opposite of durable goods with a shelf life longer than one year. Poles, like other inhabitants of our globe, know and appreciate the attractiveness of products in this sector.

They express their approval and satisfaction by frequently choosing FMCG products as products of the year. Compared to other economic sectors, FMCG sales satisfy the fundamental needs of their customers, from the most basic to the most luxurious. However, the most distinguishing feature of these products is that their buyers, potential future customers, or current consumers encounter them everywhere and at any time.
The Polish demographic structure stands out in Europe, as the Polish population is territorially dispersed. Nearly 40% of the population in Poland lives in rural areas, and no significant changes are expected in this regard by 2030. Making FMCG products available to a large number of small communities poses a huge challenge for distributors and requires a large number of smaller stores in the supply chain for these goods. Italy is cited as an example for Poland, being a country with a similar number of stores, a slightly larger retail area, and a similar degree of customer attachment to smaller formats. The share of large-format retail in FMCG products in Italy is currently slightly over 60%, while in Poland it is 42%. For comparison, in countries such as France, Belgium, or the Netherlands, the market share of hypermarkets and supermarkets in the food products market is around 90%. (…)

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