Czech Retail: Rohlik Is Growing Ten Times Faster Than the Market
The Rohlik Group increased its revenue by 35% to 1.45 billion euros in the fiscal year ending in April 2026. This amounts to 35 billion Czech korunas. The Czech Statistical Office (ČSÚ) reported that the Czech retail sector as a whole grew by 3.6% in real terms in June compared to the previous year. The gap between the online retailer and the overall market is thus more than tenfold.
In its home market, Rohlik generated 21.7 billion crowns in revenue—about 900 million euros—from 13 million orders. For the first time, the group achieved positive EBITDA of about 5 million euros in the fourth quarter.
“We can close the chapter in which people said Rohlik would never turn a profit,” said founder and CEO Tomáš Čupr in late May. The Czech Republic accounts for about half of the group’s revenue, while German-speaking markets account for around 30%. In Germany, Rohlik operates under the name Knuspr.
The second Czech e-commerce giant is growing more slowly. Notino closed the 2025 fiscal year with revenue of 1.76 billion euros, an increase of 11.5%, and cut about 300 jobs. “The transformation wasn’t easy and had a short-term impact on our growth rate,” said Co-CEO Jakub Šedý in July. In the first months of 2026, growth picked up to 27%.
Six Groups, Three-Quarters of the Market
In the food retail sector, the rankings remain stable. According to the most recently published annual financial statements, Lidl leads with just under 108 billion crowns, or about 4.5 billion euros. However, this figure covers an extended fiscal year of 15 months through the end of February 2025 and is not directly comparable with the other figures. Kaufland reported 79.3 billion kroner for the fiscal year ending in February 2025, Albert reported 74.4 billion kroner for the calendar year, and Penny reported 61.9 billion kroner. Billa reached 37 billion crowns, and Globus reached 26.6 billion crowns in the year ending in June 2025.
When it comes to profits, the picture is different. Kaufland earned a net profit of 3.19 billion crowns, more than Lidl’s 2.69 billion crowns, even though Lidl reported higher sales.
Market concentration is high. A study by Mendel University in Brno for the Czech Competition Authority (ÚOHS) estimates that the six largest companies account for 75% of the market. The Schwarz Group, with Lidl and Kaufland, and Rewe, with Billa and Penny, together control about half of the grocery retail market.
Billa will invest approximately 2.8 billion crowns in 2026, or about 116 million euros. The chain plans to open 15 stores and currently operates 289 locations.
What German suppliers are taking from this
Growth is shifting to the online channel without the brick-and-mortar chains shrinking. Online and mail-order retailers increased their sales by 12.6% in June. Anyone selling consumer goods in the Czech Republic needs both channels: listings with Schwarz and Rewe for volume, and a presence on Rohlik, Alza, and Notino for growth.
The mood calls for caution. The ČSÚ retail indicator fell by 1.1 points in August, and consumer confidence dropped to a one-year low. Retailers themselves are anticipating weaker demand and will pass this on in price negotiations for the holiday season.
For German suppliers, a third factor is key: Rohlik is expanding its model to Germany, and Munich is on the list. Those who secure a listing in Prague today will be negotiating with the same buying team in Munich tomorrow.
Sources: Czech Statistical Office, Retail Trade June 2026 and Economic Surveys August 2026 (CS); Rohlik Group and Notino, company data (CS); ÚOHS and Mendel University in Brno, study on the retail market (CS); Česká národní banka, exchange rate (CS/EN)
SK, Frankfurt