Allegro is a prominent Polish online e-commerce platform, overseen by Allegro Sp. z o.o. Established in 1999, it has undergone various ownership changes, including being acquired by QXL Ricardo plc in 2000, which later became Tradus plc in 2007. In 2008, Naspers acquired the platform, and in 2016, it was sold to an investor alliance comprising Cinven, Permira, and Mid Europa Partners. Allegro debuted on the Warsaw Stock Exchange in 2020, marking Poland's largest IPO in history.

The platform has achieved significant popularity in Poland, being ranked 5th among the country's most used online websites and 251st globally as of January 2017. Over the years, Allegro's user base has expanded significantly, from 11 million in 2011 to over 16 million in 2017, with more than 20 million accounts. Additionally, Allegro reported that approximately 70 million items are sold through its platform every month. In 2022, Allegro expanded its reach by acquiring Mall Group, a Czech online retailer, Mimovrste, Slovenia’s largest online retailer, and WE|DO, a logistics company.

Allegro, a prominent Polish e-commerce platform, offers a range of features that cater to both buyers and sellers. Here are some of the key features:

1. Auction and Fixed-Price Sales: Initially an auction platform for hobbyists, Allegro has evolved to include fixed-price products. This adjustment aligns with current market demands, offering a variety of services for both customers and e-shops. Unlike platforms like Amazon, Allegro requires each seller to create an individual product card for each of their products, ensuring a unique presentation for each item.

2. Easy Account Setup: Setting up an Allegro account is straightforward. The platform offers the option to create either a private account or a business account. Business account registration requires details like email address, login, password, phone number, and NIP (tax registration number).

3. PayU Integration: Allegro integrates with PayU, a payment gateway that facilitates the transfer of payments from Allegro to a seller's bank account. The process to create a PayU account is simple and requires basic information such as name, surname, email address, phone number, and tax registration number.

4. Currency Handling: The only currency used on the Allegro website is the Polish Zloty (PLN). PayU, the payment processing service, also handles transactions in PLN. Sellers may need to set up an account in a Polish bank to connect with their PayU account efficiently.

5. Sales Best Practices: Allegro recommends several best practices for sellers to optimize their sales. These include offering free delivery for new goods, enabling returns, using local Polish warehouse spaces to reduce delivery time and costs, and creating listings in Polish.

6. Environmental Initiatives: Allegro has taken steps to be eco-friendly, launching green parcel lockers in Poznań and Warsaw. These lockers are powered by renewable energy sources, equipped with air quality sensors, and designed with noise and visual pollution in mind. The company is also investing in green walls on buildings in collaboration with local governments.

7. New Logistics Service for Merchants: Allegro launched a new logistics service, "One Fulfillment by Allegro," to assist businesses with storage, packaging, dispatching, delivering orders, and handling returns. This service enables a wider range of delivery options at competitive prices, including next-day or same-day delivery.

8. Acquisition of a Same-Day Delivery Courier Partner: To complement its fulfillment and locker services, Allegro acquired X-press Couriers, providing same-day delivery within Poland’s nine largest municipalities. This enhances customer experience and boosts sales for merchants.

9. New Revenue Streams: Allegro Pay, a loan service, has been gaining popularity due to its simplicity and convenience. Allegro Biznes, launched for B2B clients, has been growing rapidly, offering B2B discounts and a wide selection of products. Allegro also enables merchants to export over 35 million offers across the European Union via an integrated logistics carrier.

These features highlight Allegro's commitment to providing a comprehensive and user-friendly e-commerce experience, both for buyers and sellers, with an emphasis on sustainable practices and innovative logistics solutions.