Alimentation Couche-Tard announced its intention to acquire Poland's leading convenience-store chain, Żabka Group, for approximately US$12 billion [1].

The deal represents a massive expansion of the Canadian company's footprint in Europe. By absorbing the Polish network, the Laval-based giant aims to establish itself as the dominant convenience-store retailer in the Polish market [2].

The announcement was made on Friday, July 19, 2026 [3]. The acquisition would bring more than 13,000 stores [1] into the Couche-Tard portfolio, increasing its operational scale across the continent.

Couche-Tard is headquartered in Laval, Quebec, while Żabka Group operates primarily within Poland [1, 2]. The move follows a pattern of aggressive growth for the Quebec-based company as it seeks to diversify its geographic presence beyond North America.

Industry analysts note that the scale of this transaction is substantial. The US$12 billion [1] price tag reflects the strategic value of Żabka's established infrastructure and market share in Poland. This acquisition allows Couche-Tard to leverage existing logistics and supply chains already in place within the Polish region [2].

While the company has not detailed the exact timeline for the closing of the deal, the intent to acquire the network of 13,000 stores [1] signals a shift toward deeper European integration. The company said the move is intended to secure a leadership position in one of Europe's fastest-growing convenience markets [2].

“Couche-Tard announced its intention to acquire Żabka Group for approximately US$12 billion.”

This acquisition signals a strategic pivot for Alimentation Couche-Tard to reduce its reliance on the North American market. By acquiring the largest convenience chain in Poland, the company is not just buying real estate, but gaining an immediate, dominant infrastructure in Central Europe, which can serve as a hub for further expansion into neighboring Eastern European markets.