The 5th edition of the Best Brands Poland study and ranking has officially launched
23 February 2026Poland is currently in a unique economic moment, where the sense of value among consumers is increasingly built by modern achievements, such as the success of native tech brands, the development of innovative services, and the strengthening of the country’s position on the international stage. In this market environment, Polish consumers entered 2026 with record optimism, with sentiment survey results over 13 points higher than the EU average (Consumer Sentiment Barometer, January 2026). This Polish market momentum challenges marketers to align their strategies with the ambitions and growing agency of their audience. The brands that have gained the most in terms of financial performance and consumer recognition will be identified by the Best Brands Poland 2026 study and awarded during a gala ceremony on May 7 in Warsaw.
Best Brands is an independent, international marketing award granted on the basis of a comprehensive study by NIQ, one of the global leaders in data analytics. These so-called “Marketing Oscars” were initiated over 20 years ago in Munich by the Serviceplan Group, and today the study identifies the strongest brands in Italy, Austria, Belgium, and Poland. The Best Brands idea and trademark were brought to the Polish market in 2022 by Group One. In all these countries, Best Brands is a ranking based on research, as well as a gala ceremony that stands as one of the most prestigious business events.
The theme of this year’s edition of Best Brands Poland is “Polish Momentum. The time is now!”, which defines a new era in which Polishness has become synonymous with quality and self-confidence. The civilizational leap of recent years has permanently changed the consumer’s DNA – purchases no longer serve to aspire to others, but are a manifestation of one’s own agency and identity. Poles are abandoning the need for external validation in favor of seeking partner-brands that become tools for their continuous development. In this reality, marketers must move beyond the functional scheme, designing experiences for a conscious and attentive customer.
What has distinguished the Best Brands ranking from the very beginning is its unique methodology, which places the final choice in the hands of consumers – first through their daily purchasing decisions at shop shelves, and secondly through surveys conducted by NIQ experts. Two study indicators correspond to these decisions. “Share of Wallet” determines the actual market success brands have achieved on the Polish market. The second indicator, evaluated by the voice of consumers, is “Share of Soul,” which describes which companies have won the hearts of customers, as well as recognition and trust in their eyes.
The study covers as many as 40 product categories, in which approximately 400 brands were examined, and 8,000 respondents cast their votes. Based on this, winners will be selected – the strongest brands on the Polish market – in 6 categories closely related to global trends and consumer moods: Best Brand Overall, Best Polish Brand, Best Home & Living, Best Selfcare & Wellbeing, Best Retail Experience, and Best Marketing Communication.
The TOP 10 list of nominated brands in each of the 6 categories for this year’s Best Brands, included in the ranking based on the consumer study conducted by NIQ, will be presented in April. The presentation of the “Marketing Oscars” to the winners of our ranking will take place on May 7, 2026, in Warsaw during the ceremonial Best Brands Poland Gala.
Creation / Production
Media
Technology sales & implementation
Build e-commerce stores
Analytics/Research
Gaming & e-sport
Inclusive Marketing





