Discount stores in a large city - the “biedronkisation” of the urban space – the case of Warsaw

Intensive development of discount store chains has been noticeable in Poland over the last couple of years. This phenomenon is also present in the largest cities, in which – at least in the beginning – investors representing this type of shopping chain were not interested. This article presents research results on the “Biedronka” chain of discount shops in Warsaw. Particular emphasis has been placed on the location of the individual shops in relation to the city centre, and on the specific characteristics of the locations in which the shops have been established (type of building, former function).