Grocery Shopping in Germany: Surviving the Supermarket

Grocery shopping in Germany is an experience that often catches expats off guard. From the lightning-fast cashiers to the lack of bagging assistance, here is what you need to know to survive a German supermarket.

The Types of Supermarkets

When doing a Supermarkt Preisvergleich (supermarket price comparison), you’ll quickly notice Germany has two main tiers of grocery stores.

The Discounters (Aldi, Lidl, Netto, Penny)

Germany invented the hard-discount supermarket model. These stores are incredibly cheap, no-frills environments. Products are often displayed in their original cardboard shipping boxes. They carry mostly generic brands and have excellent, cheap bakeries.

The Full-Service Supermarkets (Rewe, Edeka, Kaufland)

These are closer to what you might expect in the US or UK. They are slightly more expensive but offer massive selections, name brands, fresh deli counters, and a more pleasant shopping environment.

The Rules of the Checkout

The checkout line (Kasse) in a German supermarket is famously stressful.

• Bring your own bags: Supermarkets do not provide free bags. You must bring your own or buy sturdy reusable ones at the checkout.
• No baggers: You are expected to bag your own groceries.
• The Speed: German cashiers are legendary for their speed. They will scan your items incredibly fast. The expectation is that you quickly place your scanned items directly back into your shopping cart, pay, and then move to the packing area (Packtisch) near the exit to organize your bags at your own pace.

Payment and Pfand

Always bring your empty plastic bottles to return them via the Pfand system before you start shopping to get your deposit back.

While card payments have become much more common recently, it is always a good idea to have some cash on hand from your German bank account, as some smaller stores or bakeries inside the supermarket may still refuse cards. And remember, supermarkets are strictly closed on Sundays!