The history of Żabka is not only about stores offering everyday shopping to its customers for over 10 years now; it is also a part of Polish FMCG market history. The business started in 1998. Żabka stores gained an immediate recognition of consumers. Within 10 years of presence in the Polish market, the company succeeded in developing an extensive network of modern retail stores and achieved the top position of the convenience-sales format.

2009 Żabka Poska S.A. acquires a new segment of the market. A network of convenience stores in deli-convention was designed under the brand of Freshmarket. The first Freshmarket store was opened in March 2090 in Leszno. By the end of 2009 was opened 15 stores. In 2010 the company intends to open further 50 Freshmarkets. The network of Żabka stores is also growing with 250 new openings planned in 2010 and the implementation of new, innovative services.

2008 In April  the company finalised the implementation of IT operating system based on SUSE Linux Enterprise Server by Novell, enabling the introduction of card payment terminals in all Żabka stores. In the same month the company joined an elite group of Lewiatan, Polish Confederation of Private Employers. Due to involvement from Penta Investments, the company business model was transferred to the Czech market where the first Żabka stores were opened in Prague. In September 2008 Żabka celebrated its tenth anniversary and at the end of the year the number of its stores exceeded 2000.

2007 A speedy development of the network translated into an interest of potential investors.  The company ownership structure changed. 100 per cent of Żabka Polska S.A. shares were acquired by Penta Investments, a Central Europe Investment Fund. In the same year Żabka Polska S.A. became a member of the Polish Trade and Distribution Organisation (POHiD).

2001-2006 the beginning of 21st century brought a dynamic expansion of the whole FMCG market, including the network of Żabka stores. With an increasing number of shops and services on the offer, the company decision to develop its internal system of business communication turned out to be well-timed. Further changes took place in 2006 with the positioning of stores for their space and the number of stock items. At the time Żabka stores offered about 2500 stock items along with additional services under the common name of Zielone Okienko (the Green Window).

1999 – 2000 the network expanded rapidly at a rate of 400 new stores in the two-year period. At the same time a new, present model of central supplies of goods from the Logistic Centre was introduced. A quick development of the network and a further intended growth necessitated the change of structure. On 1st November 2000 Żabka Polska S.A. was established and entered into a contract with AIG New Europe Fund providing means for its further, dynamic growth. At the same time, the company implemented the SAP.

1998 Within a project launched in Poznań and Swarzędz, seven pilot Żabka stores were opened with the aim of offering a convenient alternative for the developing network of super- and hypermarkets. Visitors to the pilot stores gave favourable opinions and authenticated the need of smaller yet everyday shopping near the places of their residence. A natural consequence of the demand was the establishment of an all-Poland network of convenience stores undertaken in 1998, which triggered off profound changes in the Polish FMCG market. In 1999 the newly-established Żabka stores offered about 1600 stock items.