Crowds and queues like in the PRL era. This is the reality in Polish cities near the border

Scenes reminiscent of the realities of the Polish People's Republic: crowded shops, long lines and empty shelves, these are images from many border towns in Poland. Bogatynia and Osinów Dolny are experiencing a shopping siege from Czech and German citizens who come for cheaper products and services.

Cross-border traffic has become massive. This is beneficial for local traders, but it also affects the daily functioning of the community - especially in the context of the availability of goods and traffic density in the urban space.

In Bogatynia, there is a noticeable influx of customers from the Czech Republic. Purchases are often made in larger groups, also for wholesale purposes. Basic food products , including meat, dairy products, oil and flour, are very popular .

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For them, prices in Poland are several dozen percent lower than at home, which, given the high inflation in the Czech Republic, means real savings. In the Czech internet space, you can find lists of retail outlets in Bogatynia along with their locations and opening hours.

The situation in Osinów Dolny is similar. German consumers regularly visit local markets and shops, looking for cheaper household chemicals, cosmetics, cigarettes, and also using services such as hairdressing .

Although online comments include remarks about aesthetics and crowds, lower prices still attract many customers. Local entrepreneurs gain, but border estates are increasingly serving as shopping centers, which affects the quality of life of residents.

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In line with the approach "Die Planung ist alles" ("Planning is the key"), people crossing the western border often use online sources that provide information on store locations, opening hours and current promotions.

An additional convenience is the bus that runs three times a day on the Berlin - Osinów Dolny route. German consumers call this place Hohenwutzen, using the name of a nearby German town.

Shopping in Poland is beneficial due to lower operating costs, lower tax burdens and strong price competition. An additional factor favoring shopping is the złoty exchange rate.

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For many customers from abroad, shopping in Poland is an element of a permanent model of managing the household budget. Cross-border retail trade is becoming a noticeable phenomenon in the local economy.