The aim of the paper is to indicate the evolution of competitive strategies implemented by retail chains (particularly foreign ones) on the Polish market. The basic incentive to choose them is aiming at achieving competitive advantage on international and global scale. Generic strategies defined by M. Porter – strategies of cost leadership, product differentiation and focus constitute the theoretical background for the discussion. Work is funded by the NCN grant based on the decision number DEC-2011/03/B/HS4/03576.