The process of commercial de-internationalisation. The example of FMCG retail chains in Poland
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15611/aoe.2026.2.03Keywords:
disinvestment, FMCG retail chains, de-internationalisation of tradeAbstract
Aim: To identify and analyse the de-internationalisation process in the Polish FMCG retail sector between 1990 and 2024.
Methodology: The study examined FMCG retail chains that entered and later exited the Polish market. The analysis covered entry timing and modes, retail formats, countries of origin, duration of operations, and exit strategies. The findings were interpreted using Schumpeter’s concept of creative destruction and legitimacy theory.
Results: The research identified two distinct phases of de-internationalisation in Poland. These phases differed in their dynamics, dominant exit strategies, and the operational lifespan of the analysed retail chains. The results indicate that market maturity, competitive pressures, and changing strategic conditions significantly influenced retailer withdrawals.
Implications and recommendations: The study improves understanding of retail market transformation in post-transition economies. Future research should compare de-internationalisation processes across Central and Eastern Europe and explore the impact of digitalisation and sustainability strategies on retail restructuring.
Originality/value: The study offers a long-term perspective on de-internationalisation in Poland and combines creative destruction and legitimacy theory to explain foreign retailer withdrawals. It provides new insights into the evolution of a post-socialist retail market and the mechanisms underlying market exits.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Blanka Gosik, Grzegorz Zimon
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Accepted 2025-12-12
Published 2026-08-20
