Most entrepreneurs believe that starting a business during a crisis is not promising. However, in this article, we will discuss business niches and sectors that benefited from the quarantine, survived the lockdown, and emerged stronger. We will share our top picks based on clients, orders, and projects from this year. Save and share this collection of business ideas in Poland during the quarantine.
Niches that Adapted
For those thinking about starting a business in Poland, let’s first list the niches that adapted to the new changes. These businesses managed to adjust and learn to operate in the conditions of an economic crisis. There are certain benefits to be found in a crisis.
HoReCa (Hotels, Restaurants, Catering)
The restaurant industry had to quickly adapt to new conditions. The first three months were spent in lockdown, but after that, dark kitchens (restaurant-grade kitchens offering takeout or delivery) became popular. Restaurants and cafes began actively promoting themselves online. The establishments that had previous experience with internet marketing and quickly shifted to online operations were the most successful. Restaurants located in park areas, near outdoor benches, or with their own terraces were also favored. Therefore, the foodservice sector remains a profitable business idea during quarantine.
Retail Stores
The second sector that adapted well was retail. Clothing and cosmetics stores quickly expanded their online presence. They added convenient features for customers:
- Notifications about upcoming discounts and promotions via email after subscribing.
- Home delivery with the option to choose colors, sizes, and styles.
Gyms
Fitness centers had a tough time. They started renting out their own equipment. Customers could rent bikes, treadmills, dumbbells, and other items for home use. Many gyms also began offering individual and group online training sessions. This option turned out to be very successful, and many gyms kept offering it after reopening.
Education
At the start of the quarantine, large online schools, business coaches, and universities released vast amounts of free courses, electives, and full programs for intermediate-level education. In such conditions, small online schools had a hard time competing, but after the first wave of free materials passed, people realized that the course alone didn’t provide much value beyond theory. A system, diploma, and coach were needed. Online education thrives during economic downturns — it’s a promising business idea for Poland. Offline trainers transitioned to remote work. Language schools (e.g., English and Polish) reached out to us for help with setting up websites for remote classes.
Rental Services
Landlords of business centers and residential properties faced risks. They began offering discounts and payment deferrals to retain tenants who had invested heavily in renovations (e.g., beauty salons). Most residential property owners reduced rents by half for periods of 3 to 12 months. With a small sacrifice in rent, landlords managed to keep their clients.
Business Ideas to Consider During the Quarantine
During a crisis, entrepreneurs can offer products and services that would not be as appealing in a stable economy. Experienced entrepreneurs understand that there are certain goods and services whose demand significantly increases during a crisis. This opens the door for new businesses or the growth of existing ones. Below, we will discuss which businesses to start in Poland and avoid failure, based on the real stories of our clients.
eCommerce
eCommerce skyrocketed during the pandemic. Small brands captured a large part of the audience that was previously loyal to familiar brands. Before the crisis, these brands had learned how to operate online through Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. People could no longer visit physical stores, so they searched for products online. Those who quickly tuned into the trend earned money by selling products in high demand during lockdown: home fitness equipment, various entertainment items, home décor, clothing, and bedding. These were profitable business ideas during the quarantine. People spent more time at home, paying attention to their living spaces and wanting them to be more beautiful. We set up several online stores for our clients.
In the .pl domain, eBay and Amazon appeared, leading to a new demand for setting up product groups on European marketplaces for goods from Ukraine and Russia.
Consulting
The consulting sector also thrived during the pandemic. IT companies and software houses became the primary clients for consulting firms. They were working day and night. Previously, they had enough clients and did not need to advertise, but now, with client budgets shrinking, this niche began to feel competition. They started investing in marketing, and consulting companies maintained steady income.
Web Agencies
Digital agencies saw growth as well. Many businesses without websites suddenly wanted one, while those with poor websites realized they weren’t generating sales. Companies that had websites but weren’t selling began to show interest in advertising campaigns. Over the past year, several of our acquaintances entered the marketing field, learned the ropes, and began offering services in marketing, website promotion, and brand-building online. Therefore, a digital agency is a relevant business idea in Poland.
Street Food
As restaurants were closed, people accustomed to eating café food turned to street food. The number of food trucks, food stalls, and sushi bars grew. They operated year-round. The food delivery or “take-out” niche thrived.
Construction
In the past year, there has been an increase in demand for housing, and with that, the need for repair services has grown. During the lockdown, construction stores were closed, but the industry continued working throughout the year, so all types of construction — both exterior and interior — proceeded smoothly. We launched four companies focused on construction and repairs this year. We also had several clients interested in interior design. These companies cater to the mid-price segment, as the VIP segment understands the value of these services. The middle class, office workers, and corporate employees are increasingly realizing that a home should be comfortable and functional, and interior design can be a solution. Therefore, if you’re thinking about which business to start in Poland during the quarantine, consider the construction sector.
Investments
Many entrepreneurs turned to investments. They learned about the long-term investment market, stock trading, and registered with apps like eToro. People started investing more actively.
Long-Term Business Ideas for Poland
Looking beyond the quarantine, what sectors will remain relevant? What type of business should Ukrainians open in Poland? The government has invested and provided subsidies for everything related to:
- The eco-industry and alternative energy sources.
- Urban infrastructure (funding is available at the state and regional levels).
- Online and mobile applications (anything that fits in a pocket).
- The sharing economy (anything that can be rented out).
If you have a project related to these areas that you can invest in over the next 5-10 years, it may be worth pursuing as an investor and business owner.
Our team has extensive experience in opening and registering companies in Poland and introducing them to the Polish market. Leave an application on our website, and we will discuss your situation.
