A guide to the GERMAN supermarkets | everything you need to know

 

The video provides a comprehensive guide to grocery shopping in Germany, covering a wide range of supermarkets and products. Here’s a summary of the main points:

Types of Supermarkets:

• Classic Supermarkets: Edeka and Rewe are the largest chains, offering a wide variety of products including fresh produce, household goods, and even a surprisingly large selection of baby wines. They often have in-store bakeries and cheese/meat counters.
• Hypermarkets: Kaufland and Real are larger stores with an even wider selection of groceries and miscellaneous items, from cooking utensils to electronics.
• Discount Stores: Aldi, Lidl, Penny, and Netto offer lower prices and a more limited selection. They are known for their own-brand products and weekly special offers.
• Organic Supermarkets: Denns Biomarkt and Alnatura specialize in organic products, with a focus on sustainability and high-quality ingredients.
• Drugstores: Rossmann and DM offer a range of health and beauty products, cleaning supplies, and some food items, including vegan and gluten-free options.
• International Supermarkets: These cater to specific communities and offer a variety of international foods and ingredients not typically found in mainstream supermarkets.

Products and Shopping Experience:

• Bread: Germans love bread, and supermarkets often have in-store bakeries or a bread cutting machine.
• Pre-made Food: The selection of pre-made meals is limited compared to other countries, but salad bars and sushi counters are becoming more common.
• Baking Soda: It can be tricky to find baking soda, as it is often labeled as “Natron.”
• Bio Products: Organic products are widely available, with most supermarkets offering a selection of bio-labeled items.
• Payback Cards: Many stores offer loyalty cards that allow you to collect points and redeem rewards.
• Shopping Hours: Stores generally operate from 7 am to 8 pm on weekdays, with limited hours on Saturdays and most stores closed on Sundays, except for occasional “open Sundays.”
• Checkout Experience: Checkouts can be quite hurried, especially in discount supermarkets, so be prepared to pack your groceries quickly.
• German Food: Supermarkets offer a wide variety of traditional German foods, including sausages, deli meats, potatoes, and frozen pretzels.

Recommendations:

• The video also recommends several specific products to try, including Ritter Sport chocolate, Nutella-branded sweets, Maultaschen (German dumplings), pretzel bread, True Fruits smoothies, Haribo gummy candies, Gustavo Gusto frozen pizza, Fritz Cola, and a specific brand of peanut butter from Müller.

Overall, this video provides a detailed overview of grocery shopping in Germany, offering valuable insights for both visitors and those new to the country. It covers a wide range of topics, from different types of supermarkets to specific product recommendations, making it a helpful resource for anyone navigating the German grocery scene.