They prefer lower quality products as long as it is cheaper. Poles were oppressed by inflation

Reversal of the trend: quality is losing importance

In 2024, as much as 87.3 percent respondents focused on quality, and price was more important for 76.4 percent. In 2025, this difference began to disappear, but it was only the latest measurement that brought a breakthrough - price exceeded quality by as much as 12.4 percentage points.

Experts emphasize that this is the result of rising costs of living and inflation, which force Poles to look for savings.

Polish products are still in price

Despite the dominance of price and quality, as many as 82.8 percent respondents believe that it is worth choosing Polish products whenever possible. However, the country of origin of the product was only in third place among the most important purchasing criteria - it was indicated by 24.4 percent. subjects.

Ecology, quality marks and packaging are much less important.

The willingness to pay extra for quality is decreasing

Fewer and fewer Poles are willing to pay more for better quality. In 2026, 59.2 percent declared their willingness to pay the subsidy. respondents, while two years earlier it was as much as 82.9 percent.

People with the lowest income are least willing to pay subsidies - only 37.7%. of them would be ready to spend more on a better product. In the group earning over PLN 10,000 PLN, this percentage is already 73.1%.

Among people with income below PLN 2,000 PLN as much as 90.2 percent indicates price as a key factor, and only 62.3 percent - quality.

In the group of the highest earners, both criteria are equally important (82.1% each).

The authors of the report emphasize that even among wealthier Poles, price remains important, although quality is becoming more important.