Ukrainian grocery chain Best Market expands into Czechia with Prague store

A Ukrainian specialty food chain is entering the Czech market, with its first Prague store set to open this weekend and the first 100 customers promised a gift as part of launch celebrations.

Best Market will open its first Czech branch on Saturday, June 6, on Budějovická street in Prague 4. The company, which has expanded rapidly in Poland over the past several years, is now bringing its network of Eastern European food stores to Czechia.

The opening event will include tastings, competitions, children’s activities, and special guests, as the retailer looks to attract both members of the Ukrainian community in Czechia and local customers interested in regional cuisine.

Best Market began in 2019 with a single shop in Kraków. Since then, it has grown into a chain of around 30 stores across the country, building a customer base around Eastern European and Ukrainian food products.

The Prague store marks its first step into the Czech market, continuing its regional expansion. The company says it aims to offer a wide selection of Ukrainian and Eastern European products that are increasingly popular with both expatriate communities and local shoppers looking for new food options.

The store will focus on items such as cured meats, fish products, pickled vegetables, sweets, dairy products, and beverages. Among its signature offerings are traditional Ukrainian sausage varieties, smoked and dried fish, and preserved vegetables.

The opening day will also include promotional activities, with the first 100 visitors receiving a gift. The retailer is hoping the launch will build awareness in a competitive grocery market already served by both international chains and smaller specialty shops.

Specialty food stores focused on international cuisines are already well established in Czechia, particularly in larger cities like Prague. Italian, French, and other stores focused on European products have long been part of the retail landscape, reflecting growing consumer tastes and growing international communities.

Ukrainian cuisine in particular has been gaining visibility in recent years, with dishes such as borscht, varenyky, and pelmeni becoming increasingly familiar to Czech consumers following the war in Ukraine and influx of refugees into Czechia.

Retailers are responding to this demand by expanding the availability of regional products in mainstream and specialty shops.

The entry of Best Market adds to a growing trend of niche grocery chains targeting specific regional cuisines. Analysts and retailers have previously pointed to strong demand in Czech cities for authentic regional foods, particularly among younger consumers and international residents.