In the first half of this year, the combined net profit of large retail enterprises rose by 27 percent compared with the first six months of last year, the money.pl website reported, citing data from Poland’s Central Statistical Office (GUS).
In terms of specific figures, the increase was PLN 727 million (around EUR 166 million, USD 183 million), according to money.pl.
Meanwhile, the combined revenue of the country’s large retailers—defined as enterprises with more 50 employees—grew by 7 percent from the same period last year, the website said.
In 2018 as a whole, the net profit of large retail enterprises across the country rose by 28 percent compared with 2017, money.pl also reported, citing Central Statistical Office data.
Retailer profits are rising on the whole despite new regulations that took effect last year to limit Sunday shopping, the website said.
It added that the restrictions appear to have affected the financial performance of some retailers, including some smaller stores that were forced to shut down in the first quarter of this year.
Trading in Poland was last year banned on two Sundays each month. The ban was stepped up to three Sundays a month this year, while in 2020 trading will be prohibited on all Sundays except seven, including those in the run-up to Christmas and Easter.
Retailers can do business on Sundays as long as they serve customers themselves.
The ban does not apply to outlets such as online stores, fuel stations, airports, bakeries, pharmacies and flower shops.
(gs/pk)
Source: money.pl