INDIANS GERMANY GUIDE

Germany has several supermarket chains with different price points, store sizes, and product selections. Understanding the differences helps you choose the right store for your needs.

Aldi is the most popular discount supermarket in Germany and comes in two regional versions: Aldi Nord and Aldi Süd (they operate separately but are similar). Aldi stores are smaller, no-frills operations with a focused product range, typically around 1,400 products. You’ll find great prices on groceries, good quality private label products, and weekly rotating specials. Aldi is perfect if you’re budget-conscious and want to shop quickly.

Pros: Cheapest prices, fast checkout, good quality
Cons: Limited selection, can be crowded, smaller store size
Best for: Budget shopping, regular essentials

Lidl (Budget-Friendly)

Lidl is Aldi’s main competitor and operates similarly discount prices with a limited but well-curated selection. Lidl stores are slightly larger than Aldi and often have better seating areas and nicer presentation. Like Aldi, Lidl has weekly changing special items that attract shoppers. You’ll consistently find good deals and quality products here.

Pros: Competitive prices, slightly larger selection than Aldi, good specials
Cons: Can be busy, limited specialty items
Best for: Regular shopping, bulk buys, weekly deals

rewe (Mid-Range)

Rewe is a major full-service supermarket chain offering much wider selection than Aldi or Lidl. Their stores are larger and well-organized, with a bakery section, butcher counter, and deli. You’ll find more international products, organic options, and specialty items. Prices are higher than discount stores but quality is generally excellent. Rewe supermarkets range from smaller neighborhood stores to large hypermarkets.

Pros: Wide selection, quality products, better organization
Cons: Higher prices, longer checkout lines
Best for: Variety seeking, organic products, international foods

edeka (Mid to Premium-Range)

Edeka is Germany’s largest supermarket chain by revenue and operates more independently per store (each Edeka can set its own prices and offerings). Most Edeka stores are larger, well-stocked, and high-quality. You’ll find premium products, fresh bakeries, and extensive organic sections. Prices are typically higher than Rewe but the quality is excellent.

Pros: Best quality, widest selection, premium products
Cons: Most expensive option, can be crowded
Best for: Quality-focused shopping, specialty items, organic products

Penny (Budget)

Penny is owned by Rewe but operates as a discount chain. It’s similar to Aldi but often slightly larger. Penny offers competitive pricing with a decent selection and is a good middle ground between deep-discount stores and full supermarkets.

Pros: Good prices, decent selection, cleaner than some discounters
Cons: Less selection than Rewe, fewer specials
Best for: Budget-conscious shoppers wanting more selection

Choosing Your Supermarket

Most expats develop a routine using 1-2 main stores. A typical strategy: use Aldi or Lidl for regular household items and groceries, then visit Rewe or Edeka for speciality items, organic products, or international foods you can’t find elsewhere. This saves money while giving you access to a variety.

German supermarkets follow logical layouts that become intuitive once you understand them.

Typical layout:

• Entrance area: Usually has shopping baskets and carts. Sometimes you’ll find produce or seasonal items here
• Perimeter: Fresh items (produce, dairy, meat, bakery) run along the outer edges
• Middle aisles: Packaged goods organized by type—one aisle for grains/cereals, another for condiments, another for sweets/snacks, etc.
• Refrigerated sections: Dairy, meat, fish, frozen foods are clearly marked with temperature zones
• Checkout: Usually at the front, organized by lane (some stores have “express” lanes for 10 items or fewer)

Finding products: Don’t be shy about using the information desks or asking staff. Germans are generally helpful, though they might seem brusque. It’s just their communication style. Most stores have aisles labeled clearly in German. Common section names you’ll see:

• Obst & Gemüse = Produce (Fruits & Vegetables)
• Molkereiprodukte = Dairy products
• Fleisch = Meat
• Brot = Bread
• Tiefkühlkost = Frozen food
• Getränke = Beverages

Like in India there is no price labels printed on the each product in Germany.

German price labels contain more information than you might expect, and understanding them saves money.

What’s on the label:

On each product shelf, you’ll see a rectangular price sticker. It typically shows:

1. Product name (top)
2. Price per unit (e.g., €3,99) – This is what you pay
3. Grundpreis (unit price) – This shows price per kg, liter, or 100g for easy comparison
4. Herkunft (origin) – Where the product comes from
5. Sometimes: Allergen information or sustainability labels

Why the Grundpreis matters: The Grundpreis (unit price) lets you compare costs across brands and sizes fairly. For example, a 500g jar might be €4, while a 1kg jar costs €7. The Grundpreis shows: first is €8/kg, second is €7/kg—so the larger jar is actually cheaper per unit.

Special labels you’ll see:

• Bio = Organic (certified)
• Regional or Heimatprodukt = Local product (usually better quality, sometimes cheaper)
• Fairtrade = Fair trade certified
• Preis-Hit or Aktionspreis = Special promotion/reduced price
• Mindesthaltbarkeitsdatum (MHD) = Best before date (products are often safe past this date)

German supermarkets accept multiple payment methods, though cash is still common.

Payment options:

• Cash (EUR): Widely accepted and preferred by many Germans till today.
• EC-Card/Girocard: German debit card. Essential if you have a German bank account. Most common payment method
• Credit cards: Increasingly accepted but less common than EC-cards. Check if your card works before shopping
• Mobile payments: Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Payback (German loyalty program) increasingly accepted
• Contactless payment: Standard at most checkout machines now

Pro tips:

• Ask “Kann ich mit Karte zahlen?” (Can I pay with card?) if you’re unsure
• Most checkout machines accept both chip and contactless payment
• Expect to be asked for ID occasionally if paying with card
• Some smaller stores or neighborhood supermarkets prefer cash

Germany is serious about sustainability, and this affects how bags work in supermarkets.

Free bags: There are no free plastic bags. You must bring your own bags or purchase reusable ones.

Your bag options:

1. Bring your own: Cloth bags, backpacks, or reusable shopping bags from home. Most convenient and cost-free
2. Buy bags at the store: €0.50-€2 for sturdy reusable plastic or cloth bags. You keep them forever
3. Buy thin plastic bags: Some stores sell thin plastic bags for €0.05-€0.10 each
4. Use a basket: Carry items in a basket for small purchases

How it works at checkout: You place your own bags on the conveyor belt before checkout begins, or you have them open and ready to pack items as they’re scanned. You pack your own groceries (not the cashier). This process is much faster than U.S. supermarkets because the cashier just scans while you bag.

Pro tips:

• Keep your reusable bags in your daily backpack or car
• If you forget bags, ask “Haben Sie noch Tüten?” (Do you have bags?) and purchase some as they’re good for future use
• Build a collection of bags so you always have them
• Most people use the same bags for years

Most German supermarkets have self-checkout options, which can feel different from what you might know.

How German self-checkout works:

1. Get staff help: Staff actively help customers. Wait for them to activate your lane or get their help if you any doubts.
2. Scan items one by one: The scale weighs items to prevent theft, so scan methodically.
3. Bag as you go: Place bagged items in the bagging area immediately after scanning.
4. Age-restricted items: If buying alcohol or cigarettes, staff must approve. Lay these aside and alert staff.
5. Payment: Choose your payment method usally only cards possible and complete the transaction.
6. Unexpected item in bagging area: If the system gets confused, wait for staff or press the help button.

Why staff seem to hover: This isn’t surveillance—staff are there to help with age verification, ID checking, and any technical issues. Be patient and friendly if you need help.

Pro tips:

• Self-checkout at Aldi is less strict than at Rewe/Edeka
• Go slowly if it’s your first time and rushing confuses the scale
• Have your payment method ready before you start
• Some stores have express self-checkout (up to 10 items) that move faster

German shopping hours are more limited than in many countries, so plan accordingly.

Typical supermarket hours:

• Monday-Saturday: 7 AM – 10 PM (varies by store and location)
• Sunday: Most supermarkets are closed (this is federal law). But some shops are even open at Hauptbahnhof (Central Railway Station).
• Smaller stores: May close earlier (6-7 PM)
• Public holidays: Closed
• Sunday before Christmas/New Year: Some stores may open

Important to know:

• Sunday is shopping day: If you need groceries on Sunday, plan ahead and shop on Saturday
• Evening shopping: Best between 4-6 PM, but expect crowds
• Early morning: 7-8 AM is the quietest time
• Rural areas: Smaller towns might have even more limited hours

Holiday closures: All supermarkets close on major holidays: Christmas, New Year’s, Easter Monday, May 1, Whit Monday, and German Unity Day (October 3). Check your local calendar before the holidays.

German supermarkets offer several ways to save money beyond just shopping at budget stores.

Strategy 1: Weekly Specials (Aktionen) Every week, Aldi and Lidl publish new special offers. Items are heavily discounted—sometimes 50% off. Download the store apps or grab a flyer at the entrance. Stock up on non-perishables when prices are low.

Strategy 2: Loyalty Programs

• Payback (Rewe, Penny, DM): Earn points on purchases redeemable for discounts. Free to join, very popular
• Clubkarte (Edeka): Store-specific loyalty cards offering personalized deals
• Aldi Talk: Aldi’s app shows ongoing deals

Strategy 3: Buy Private Label German supermarket brand products are high-quality and 20-30% cheaper than name brands. Rewe’s “Rewe” brand and Edeka’s “Edeka” brand are excellent. Don’t hesitate to try them.

Strategy 4: Shop at Discount Stores Aldi and Lidl prices are typically 15-25% lower than Rewe/Edeka for the same items. Use them for basics and save speciality shopping for full-service stores.

Strategy 5: Check for Damaged/Discount Items Some stores have a “Wühltisch” (bargain table) with heavily reduced items due to packaging damage or approaching expiration. Great deals if you don’t mind minor blemishes.

Strategy 6: Buy Seasonal Produce Seasonal vegetables and fruits are much cheaper. Spring has asparagus and berries; summer has tomatoes and zucchini; fall has apples and pumpkins; winter has root vegetables.

Strategy 7: Bring a List Unplanned purchases add up quickly. Shopping with a list keeps you focused and saves money.