vlog 12 ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT GERMAN SUPERMARKET IN 2024/GROCERY SHOPPING IN GERMANY 2024

Supermarkets in Germany can be quite unique!
Supermarkets in Germany will probably be different from the supermarket you are used to at home. Don't let this deter you. Your local supermarket will often have regional products that are worth trying!
If you are more into international products or looking for a gourmet temple, you should go to the big supermarkets or visit some international supermarkets.
Do you prefer to order from home and have your groceries delivered? No problem! There are grocery shops in the country that offer delivery services as well. Pick your goods from the comfort of your couch using their online service and you'll get them delivered to your door without any effort.
Providers like “Hello Fresh”, for example, offer ready-made packages of the fresh food you'll need to make your meals. You can sign up for a membership and create your menu from hundreds of recipes every day. You will receive ready-made packages with already weighed quantities of the necessary food for your selected recipe. Quickly mix the ingredients together and your meal is ready!
If you don't want to cook for yourself, you'll find a number of restaurants, cafés and snack bars throughout Germany, as well as a variety of takeaway options.
Buy groceries like a local: Supermarkets in Germany
Almost every town has local small supermarkets and a weekly market. In big cities, of course, you will find the whole variety of grocers - from Späti (they are open until late at night and offer mainly drinks, alcohol and snacks) to wholesalers, everything is there.
In smaller towns, you easily can find the best supermarket for you. The differences between grocers in Germany are mostly in the price and the selection of products.
For many expats, the best part about grocery shopping in Germany is the pricing. German discount grocery stores are usually cheaper than those in neighboring countries. That's why many residents from Belgium, Denmark, Switzerland and the Netherlands cross the border to do their weekly shopping. However, like most European countries, the selection in Germany may not be as wide as you're used to. This is especially true if you're coming from the United States and bought your products from American grocery stores. But once you get acclimated, you'll soon find everything you need.
German grocery stores offer a good selection of groceries, meats, dairy products and vegetarian foods. Many also have a bakery in the store - usually a popular place for expatriates. You will be amazed at how many types of bread, cakes and pastries your local grocery store offers.
German bread, in particular, is worth a taste. There is hardly any nationality that produces so many different types of bread. There is something for every taste!
Discount grocery stores
Discounters like Lidl, Netto, Aldi and others cover the basic everyday needs of customers. This is where most Germans shop on average.
In the discounter you can often find offers at the lowest prices, which reduce the costs of living in Germany.
There is a basic selection of fruit and veggies, a self-service store for bread and baked goods, and a decent range of cold cuts, dairy products, baked goods, canned goods and more.
Often, customer service leaves much to be desired. At peak times, discount stores are frequently very crowded and have long lines formed in front of the cash registers.
Shopping at a discount store may be easy on your wallet, but it often a little more time consuming. If you have special products or brand needs, you should shop at a large grocery store.
Large grocery stores
Large grocery stores like Real, Rewe, Edeka and Kaufland offer a wide variety of products. Everyone can actually find what they want there.
These grocery chains are most similar to stores in the US or UK. They are usually large and have almost everything you need. The products are also of really good standard. Some chains, like Real, sell different categories like groceries, housewares, electronics, toys, clothes and even bicycles. If you can't find something on the shelf, ask for help. You can expect that larger stores in the country usually have everything in stock.
The selection in such stores is very extensive, but the products are often more expensive than at discount stores. You are likely to find everything you need in the big grocery stores - although the search may take some time. On the other hand, because of their size, these stores are less likely to be crowded. Unless it's the day before a holiday, because then every grocery store in Germany will be full.
Cosmetic stores
Suppliers such as DM and Rossmann mainly offer hygiene products, detergents and everything for body care. But you can also find baby food, diapers and organic products here. The selection is larger than in normal supermarkets. In every town in Germany, you can find a DM or Rossmann.