Cukiernia Sowa is a family business whose tradition dates back to 1946. Its history began in Bydgoszcz with bread, but soon the offer also included sweet products, which became the company's showcase. Over time, they were appreciated not only by Bydgoszcz residents, but also by residents of all over Poland. Today, at the Sowa Cukiernia outlets you can find iconic cakes, pastries and desserts, local brand ice cream, coffee from its own roastery, as well as bread and cookies from the Pyszne z Pieca offer and savory products, including healthy salads and sandwiches prepared on site, also served on warm.
Clear goals for the company's 80th anniversary
Recent years have seen a dynamic increase in sales at Cukiernia Sowa, development of the network of premises in Poland, modernization of production processes, as well as changes in the business model and structure of the company. Determining new development goals and determining the most optimal paths to achieve them has become a priority for the company's management, which has been joined by the next generation since 2021 – Aleksandra Sowa-Trzebińska and Michał Sowa. Work on the new strategy was started in the middle of last year, in close cooperation with the management staff and one of the leading audit and consulting companies in Poland – Grant Thornton.
The effects of many months of analyzes and strategic workshops were presented during the June Cukiernia Sowa Congress among employees, franchisees and most important business partners. The main idea of the company's new development strategy for 2024-2026 is the slogan "Owl – We Grow Wisely". It is a sustainable development strategy, respecting human and natural resources, which covers four key areas:
1. Operational efficiency: process optimization to deliver the highest quality products and services,
2. Customer orientation: adapting the offer to customers by putting their needs first,
3. Digital transformation: investments in modern technologies, digitization and automation,
4. Human capital: investing in employee development, through training and promotion opportunities.
– The new strategy of Cukiernia Sowa perfectly reflects our development plan: stable, well-thought-out and consistent with our values. By the end of 2026 we plan, among others: stable double-digit sales growth annually, investments in innovations and new sales formats, increase in production capacity, including the construction of a new plant, as well as the expansion of our network in Poland to a total number of at least 180 stores – says Michał Sowa, member of the management board of Cukiernia Sowa Sp. z o. o
– Our quality guarantee is based on nearly 80 years of family tradition, and we have built consumer trust over the years by taking care of the best ingredients and production methods. Today we focus on innovation and invest with the future in mind. We are passionate about discovering new flavors and technologies to surprise our customers, provide them with unique experiences and celebrate every moment with them, bringing joy and sweet memories – emphasizes Aleksandra Sowa-Trzebińska, confectionery master and member of the management board of Cukiernia Sowa Sp. z o. o
Network expansion – time for Kraków
The Sowa Confectionery chain is constantly developing. Currently, there are 164 locations in Poland (including 45 corporate and 119 franchise locations) in 13 voivodeships, as well as 1 location in London. Over the next three years, the number of stores in the chain is to increase to at least 180.
In recent months, two new points have been opened: in the Auchan shopping center in Gdańsk and Galeria Starówka in Leszno. At the same time, in June and July, thorough renovations were carried out in several premises (in the Auchan Bydgoszcz Fordon Shopping Center and two premises in Gdynia – in Leroy Merlin and Galeria Szperk), including not only a change of interior design according to the latest standards, but also enriching the offer with new segments or increasing cafe space. The introduced changes bring the company a significant increase in the share of on-site sales at individual points, which means that customers positively perceive the new space and the extended offer and, as a result, gain a positive shopping experience.
Cukiernia Sowa is not slowing down and is planning several more openings this fall, including its first location in Krakow. – Our confectioneries will appear in the capital of Małopolska in carefully selected locations in shopping centers. We will open the first place at the turn of September and October in the Bonarka shopping center. In the comfortable café part, extended by two islands with tables, we will serve our customers not only delicious confectionery and breakfast and lunch products, but also Sowa Caffè coffee, roasted in our roastery in Bydgoszcz – announces Michał Sowa.
The concept of combining a confectionery shop and a café is a response to customer needs and adaptation to market trends. Passion for confectionery, top-class products and a unique atmosphere – these are the basic elements that make customers happy to spend time here with family, friends or at business meetings. The priority is to provide the highest quality products and service, which requires careful planning and preparation. Therefore, in accordance with the assumptions of the new strategy, the company wants to continue to develop in an organic and sustainable way, both through the format of franchise and company stores.
– Own stores provide us with control over the brand and product quality, the ability to train employees, and quickly implement changes and innovations without the need to negotiate with franchisees. The standards developed in this way are then easier for us to implement in franchise outlets, explains Michał Sowa.
Even closer to the consumer
In line with the adopted development strategy, Cukiernia Sowa puts customers and their needs first and invests in modern technologies, including: by opening up to new distribution channels and increasing the availability of its offer. In this spirit, projects are being implemented that include extensive computerization of the sales structure, preparation of a consumer application and the introduction of completely new sales formats, such as vending machines, thanks to which the customer will have easy access to the confectionery offer at any time.
At the same time, the Cukiernia Sowa network is testing and implementing projects in the area of q-commerce, among which cooperation with the well-known food delivery platform – Pyszne.pl is at the most advanced stage. Users can take advantage of a wide offer, including cakes, cakes, chocolate items and ice cream, as well as bread and items from the breakfast and lunch menu.
– Our q-commerce tests have been ongoing since March this year. Today on Pyszne.pl we are present in 6 cities: Bydgoszcz, Toruń, Wrocław, Piła and Gdańsk, and recently also in Warsaw. We are gradually increasing the range and range of the offer, and in the next stage we will also introduce this solution to our franchise confectioneries. We want to be as close to our customers as possible, both on special occasions and in their everyday lives, whenever they feel like a sweet snack – comments Michał Sowa.
Confectionery of future generations
Sustainable development in Cukiernia Sowa's strategy also means focusing attention on ESG issues. – We care for the environment, demonstrating responsibility for the environment and consciously changing for the good of future generations. We want to introduce innovative products, more friendly packaging and labels, as well as optimize processes to deliver the highest quality products, in line with customer expectations and our traditional taste – emphasizes Aleksandra Sowa-Trzebińska.
Actively operating in this field, Cukiernia Sowa has joined the group of members of the Natureef Association, uniting the scientific and research community, leaders and innovators in the field of packaging, chemistry and food production, whose goal is not only to search for innovative solutions, but also to actively engage in sustainable development and protection natural environment. As part of this cooperation, experts from the R&D department of Cukiernia Sowa, together with Natureef partners, search for and develop optimal and sustainable technologies, and support the organization's members with their experience and passion.
An important area in which Cukiernia Sowa is involved is also activities to prevent food waste. Special offers "We don't throw away – we discount -50%" have been successfully operating online for many years now, thanks to which the company not only attracts customers, but also encourages them to use the "zero waste" approach. For over a year, the brand has been offering customers numerous opportunities to purchase cheaper and "save" products through the Foodsi application. Since the beginning of this cooperation, customers of Cukiernia Sowa have already purchased over 100,000 food packages through Foodsi, which gives a total of over 50 tons of saved food.
Quality, authenticity, love for confectionery and respect for tradition – these are the key values on which Cukiernia Sowa invariably bases its activities and communication with customers, not only providing unique flavors, but also creating a space to celebrate interpersonal relationships and accompanying its customers in these special , as well as on completely everyday occasions.
