It's Sunday, year 2025. For millions of Poles this means 1 thing – most shops are closed. However, the view of parking lots at gas stations is almost like those under buying malls on Saturday afternoon. The Trade Limitation Act on Sundays, which entered into force years ago, did not destruct the request for buying – only radically changed our habits. Poles, alternatively of giving up Sunday errands, moved massively to where trade flourishes without restrictions. Gas stations became undisputed kings of Sunday trade, transforming from refueling points to full minimarkets. This phenomenon, which was interesting at the beginning, is now a permanent part of the Polish economical and social landscape. We analyse how this silent revolution changed the marketplace and wallets of Poles, and whether the ban on trade in its present form makes any sense.
A gas station like a supermarket? It's a fresh norm.
Forget about the painting of the station where you could only buy spray liquid, soda and candy bar. In 2025, the largest networks, specified as Orlen, BP or ellipse K, offer an assortment that can compete with many residential stores. Entering inside, we pass the shelves bending under the weight of food products: from fresh bread, dairy, meats, and even packed vegetables and fruit. These are no longer “rescue” purchases and full planned errands.
Fuel networks have full understood marketplace needs. Investments in the expansion of the store area and catering areas have become a priority. Concepts specified as “Orlen on the move” or “Circle K Express” are no longer just coffee points, but real supply centers. You can buy ready-made dinner dishes for home heating, frozen meat, basic cosmetics, and even animal food. This transformation is the answer to the gap created by the law. Clients, incapable to make purchases in Ladybug or Lidl, naturally directed their steps to the only open facilities.
Phenomen hot dog and coffee, which is simply a gold interest on ban
The key to the success of gas stations on Sundays is simply a business model based on advanced margins of fuel products. While the fuel liter margin is comparatively low and dependent on global markets, the profit on hot dogs, coffee or water bottle is incomparably higher. The ban on trade became a real gift to them.
The analytical data for the years 2023-2024 clearly show: revenue from the sale of non-fuel products on non-commercial Sundays is on average 60-70% higher than on commercial Sundays. This section generates the lion's share of station profits. The phenomenon of a cult hot dog or freshly ground coffee is just the tip of the iceberg. Poles, coming for a fewer missing products, frequently opt for additional, impulse purchase, which further drives sales. Fuel companies, aware of this trend, are surpassing in promotions and loyalty programs, which no longer apply to fuel, but to the retail and catering offer.
What about the law and politicians in 2025?
Despite years, the debate on the Trade Ban Act continues to return, albeit with little intensity. In 2025, the position quo seems to be cemented. The main political forces avoid the subject, fearing the discontent of both trade unions and a powerful commercial lobby. The celebrated "postal exception" which has allowed for years to circumvent the rules has been effectively sealed, which has only strengthened the position of petrol stations which operate legally under separate regulations.
However, there are voices from experts who indicate that the current situation is pathological. The aim of the law was to supply workers with free Sunday trade, and in practice work on this day simply moved to other, frequently little paid sectorsJust like station service. Moreover, the beneficiaries of the regulation did not become small, family-owned shops, as was assumed, and powerful, global fuel companies. However, for now there is no political will to carry out a thorough revision of the rules.
Consumers divided. Comfort versus higher prices
The convenience of Sunday purchases at the gas station has its price – literally. Prices of basic products there are importantly higher than in discounts or supermarkets. The differences scope from 20% to up to 100% in any articles. Poles face a dilemma: pay more for comfort and the anticipation to make purchases “here and now” or scrupulously plan and accumulate supplies on Friday and Saturday.
An example buying basket on Sunday at the gas station compared to Saturday at the discont (estimated for 2025):
- Cut bread: 7.50 zł (station) vs 4.50 zł (discont)
- Milk 1L: 5,00 zł (station) vs 3.50 zł (discont)
- 200g butter: 11,00 zł (station) vs 7.00 zł (discont)
- Mineral Water 1.5L: 4.00 zł (station) vs 2.20 zł (discont)
- Eggs 10 pcs: 14.00 zł (station) vs 9,00 zł (discont)
These differences show that Sunday's "comfort" is simply a crucial additional cost to the home budget. Nevertheless, the expanding traffic on the stations proves that for many Poles this is the price they are willing to pay. The Trade Ban Act permanently changed Polish trade, creating fresh winners and losers. The question that remains open is: is the current model, favouring fuel giants at the expense of consumers and tiny stores, what was actually meant by the legislators?
More here:
Is the ban on trade on Sunday a fiction? Gas stations are under siege
