Brands and branded grocery products in Poland from the historical perspective

Abstract

Modern brands are the result of centuries of evolution. Branded products were produced in the past epochs primarily for the needs of the richest social classes. The system of trademarks played an important role in shaping them. The article highlights the specificity of brands in the food industry. This industry is dominated by products manufactured for a local market, and consequently also brands with little market recognition. Due to problems with storage and distribution over long distances, brands of food products shaped their name primarily based on the place of production or the regional origin of the product. In the second part of the article, attention is drawn to those elements determining the formation of food brands in Poland, such as changes in agricultural production technology, as well as an increase in the demand for packaged and processed food. The significant development of the food industry in Poland took place in the second half of the 20th century.