Man and woman shopping for dairy items ()
Just as in the States, Germany has a number of different chain grocery stores which include regular grocery stores along with a large number of discount grocery chains. The average grocery store is much smaller than a typical grocery.
Germany has a large number of discount grocery stores. These discount chains specializes in the staple items such as food, beverages, toiletry items, cleaning products and other inexpensive household items. There discount chains have weekly special offers for items such as electronics, appliances or computers, clothing, toys, flowers, and gifts. Specials are only available in strictly limited quantities and for a limited timeframe (one week). Most have a “strictly no frills” approach which is evident in that they do not decorate aisles – or even fill shelves for that matter (items are left in cardboard boxes on the shelf or on a pallet). Aldi and Lidl are the two largest discount chains in Germany.
A few stores are called “hypermarkets” which are very large grocery stores which would rival the large stores in the States. The hypermarkets not only carry a large variety of staples (as mentioned above) but also carry an assortment of household good such as towels, some clothing, small appliances and decorative items.
Here is a list of some of the local stores:
Aldi Aldi was the first discount chain in Germany. Many of its products are own-brand labeled, with the number of outside brands being very limited. Aldi is the largest wine retailer in Germany.
Edeka The Edeka Group is the largest German supermarket corporation. Edeka runs approximately 4,100 stores that range from small corner stores to large hypermarkets. Edeka nah und gut (“close and good”) are the smallest stores. Edeka aktiv markt (“active mart”) are slightly bigger and mostly located in outlying neighborhoods and villages. Edeka neukauf are bigger than aktiv martkts and are found in villages surrounding cities. Edeka center (E-Center) is a hypermarket.
Kaufland Kaufland is a German “hypermarket” chain. It carries a full selection of products in many different brands.
Lidl Lidl is a German discount supermarket chain that operates 7,000 stores worldwide (including the United States).
Netto Marken-Discount Netto Marken-Discount operates mostly in southern and western Germany. The chain is unrelated to the Danish Netto chain, which also operates in Germany.
Penny Markt Penny Markt is a discount supermarket chain based in Germany, which operates 5000 stores throughout Europe.
Rewe Rewe is a supermarket chain in Germany. Rewe stores tend to be on the smaller side. Their own store brand products are branded as ”ja!”.
Tegut-Markt Tegut-Markt is a German grocery that focuses on the environment and organic products but also carries a variety of nonorganic products. The store has its own brand but also carries other brands.
Jenny Dietrich, Brend Dietrich and Sandra Erb contributed to this article.
