Guide to German Supermarkets

German supermarkets are efficient, affordable, and occasionally baffling to newcomers. The landscape is dominated by a handful of major chains, each occupying a distinct price and positioning tier. Understanding who's who makes the weekly shop considerably less stressful.

The Main Chains

Discounters

Aldi (Aldi Süd in southern Germany, Aldi Nord in the north and west) and Lidl are the two dominant discounters. Both offer a limited but well-curated range of everyday items at low prices. The product selection is smaller than at full-service supermarkets — fewer brands, often more own-label — but quality is generally solid.

Aldi and Lidl are famous for their Sonderangebote (weekly special offers): non-food items, tools, kitchen equipment, clothing, and electronics appear in the middle aisle at deeply discounted prices, change weekly, and sell out fast. These rotating promotions have something of a cult following.

Penny and Netto (Markendiscount) occupy a similar discount tier to Aldi and Lidl, with slightly broader product ranges. Netto (not to be confused with Netto Stadtmarkt, a separate chain in northern Germany) is part of the Edeka group.

Mid-Range

Rewe and Edeka are the two largest full-service supermarket chains in Germany. Both carry a broad range of products, including fresh produce, meat counters, bakery sections, and significant organic (Bio) ranges. Rewe and Edeka franchises vary in size and quality — some neighbourhood stores are compact and limited; flagship urban stores rival any European supermarket.

Both chains have own-label discount lines: Rewe Ja! and Edeka Gut&Günstig offer budget alternatives across most product categories.

Larger Format

Kaufland operates large-format hypermarket-style stores, often in suburban or edge-of-city locations. Wide product ranges, larger quantities, and longer opening hours than smaller stores. Part of the Schwarz Group (which also owns Lidl).

Real has been largely absorbed into other formats following its acquisition and sale in 2020; many former Real locations are now Kaufland, Edeka, or other brands.

Drugstores (Not Supermarkets, But Adjacent)

dm and Rossmann are drugstore chains that stock household supplies, cleaning products, toiletries, vitamins, baby products, and a solid range of organic food and health items. Neither is a full supermarket, but both carry enough staple pantry items and snacks that they function as supplement stores for many households.

What's Different About Shopping in Germany

Bags: Plastic bags are not provided for free and are increasingly unavailable. Bring a reusable bag (Einkaufstasche). At checkout, bagging is fast and it is expected that shoppers pack their own items immediately — the conveyor belt moves quickly.

Pfand: Bottles and cans with a deposit (Pfand) are returned at a machine near the entrance, not at the checkout. The receipt from the machine is redeemable at the till.

Sunday closures: By law, most shops — including supermarkets — are closed on Sundays. Exceptions exist in some transport hubs (airports, major train stations) and in tourist areas with special permits. Plan the weekly shop accordingly. Saturday afternoon shopping tends to be crowded as a result.

Quieter atmosphere: German supermarkets are generally quieter than equivalents in the UK or US. Small talk with cashiers is minimal and not expected; efficiency is the priority.

Fresh bread: Most supermarkets have an in-store Bäckerei (bakery) counter or fresh bread section. Fresh rolls (Brötchen) are widely available and extremely cheap.

What's Easy and Hard to Find

Easy to find: Dairy products, bread and baked goods, sausages and processed meats, pasta, canned goods, frozen food, German beer and wine, seasonal produce.

Harder to find: International spices, coconut milk, specialty Asian ingredients, corn tortillas, fresh herbs outside of basil, certain cheeses common in other countries, tahini (though improving), international soy sauces.

Specialist international options: Major cities have dedicated Asian supermarkets (often labelled Vietnam or Asia Supermarkt), Turkish grocery stores (türkischer Supermarkt), and international discount grocers. In Berlin, cities like Mannheim, and university towns, international ingredient availability has improved significantly.

Key Takeaways

• Aldi and Lidl are the dominant discounters; Rewe and Edeka offer broader mid-range ranges

• Weekly Sonderangebote (non-food specials) at Aldi and Lidl sell out quickly and are worth checking

• Bring bags; pack quickly; expect no small talk

• Supermarkets are closed on Sundays — stock up on Saturdays

• International ingredients are best found at specialist Asian or Turkish grocery stores in larger cities