A Turning Point for Poland’s E-Commerce Pioneer
Allegro’s New CEO Marks a Turning Point for Poland’s E-Commerce Pioneer
Poland’s largest online marketplace, Allegro, is entering a new chapter. In May 2025, Marcin Kuśmierz will take the helm as the new CEO, following the resignation of Roy Perticucci, who led the group through a pivotal period of financial tightening, international expansion, and operational consolidation.
The appointment marks more than just a change in leadership—it represents a symbolic shift for one of Central Europe’s most recognized e-commerce platforms as it navigates a maturing digital market and growing criticism over recent internal and external changes.
A Polish Tech Giant Facing Pressure
Founded in 1999, Allegro was once considered Poland’s answer to eBay and Amazon, long dominating local online shopping. Over the years, it evolved from a quirky auction site into a robust, professional B2C platform connecting millions of customers with thousands of sellers. As of 2024, Allegro holds one of the top spots in Europe’s e-commerce landscape, especially in Poland, where it commands nearly 80% brand recognition and serves as the go-to marketplace for everything from electronics to fashion.
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But not everything has been smooth. The company’s attempts at international expansion—especially its acquisition of Mall Group and WE|DO in the Czech Republic—received mixed reviews. While the move was intended to cement Allegro’s presence across the region, it stretched resources and required heavy restructuring.
Internally, Allegro also faced criticism for growing fees imposed on merchants and increasing complexity in platform operations, which many sellers say have eroded trust and profitability. Allegro’s own delivery network, Allegro One, continues to expand, but with it came concerns over monopolization and marginalization of third-party logistics providers.
For many observers, the company is now balancing on a tightrope: maintaining its dominant position in a highly competitive and price-sensitive market, while also keeping stakeholders—investors, sellers, and customers—on board with its evolving strategy.
Who is Marcin Kuśmierz?
The incoming CEO, Marcin Kuśmierz, brings with him a proven track record in scaling tech-driven businesses. Most recently the CEO of Shoper, a leading Polish e-commerce platform for small and medium-sized merchants, Kuśmierz took the company public in 2021 and oversaw its rapid rise. Under his leadership, Shoper became one of the fastest-growing e-commerce companies in Central and Eastern Europe.
His background includes an early venture in hosting services that later became part of home.pl, followed by a leadership role within the ITI Group, a former media conglomerate. After scaling and selling home.pl to IONOS, Kuśmierz remained to oversee operations across emerging markets and lead a suite of digital tools for SMEs. His focus has consistently been on value-driven growth, innovation, and cultivating organizational culture. He also has a reputation for being founder-friendly and close to the ecosystem, having invested in startups in AI, payments, cloud, and logistics.
What Comes Next for Allegro?
With Kuśmierz stepping in, the message is clear: Allegro is betting on a product-focused operator to steer its next wave of growth. According to board statements, his appointment signals a readiness to shift from consolidation to innovation.
While Perticucci’s term was characterized by fiscal discipline and structural reforms, Kuśmierz is expected to reignite Allegro’s entrepreneurial edge. His experience building platforms that empower sellers could also help mend strained relationships within the Allegro merchant community—an essential component of the company’s future success.
Under his leadership, the company will likely focus on:
Strengthening Allegro Pay and logistics operations to improve consumer experience and reduce churn.
Expanding cross-border commerce in key markets such as the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary.
Enhancing the seller ecosystem by addressing operational pain points and refining platform usability.
Positioning Allegro as a more agile, innovation-driven tech company, not just a marketplace.
A Symbolic Moment for Polish Tech
Allegro’s leadership change also reflects broader dynamics in the Polish tech scene. With more domestic companies going public, expanding globally, and drawing attention from investors, the region is reaching a new phase of maturity.
As one of the first Polish unicorns and a legacy brand in the digital economy, Allegro is under pressure to remain relevant not just as a retail marketplace, but as an ecosystem leader in Central Europe. Whether Marcin Kuśmierz can balance the demands of scale, innovation, and market trust will determine how Allegro is remembered in the next 10 years—either as a cautious incumbent or a bold transformer once again leading the charge. For now, all eyes are on May 5, when the new CEO officially steps in.
