Moving To Germany Series :12/15 Shopping & Consumer Habits in Germany (2025): What Newcomers Must Know
- EuroXpat
- Apr 27
- 3 min read
Shopping in Germany might feel a bit different compared to what you’re used to — especially if you’re coming from a country with 24/7 supermarkets, aggressive customer service, or flexible payment options.
Understanding German shopping culture will help you settle in faster and avoid common surprises!
Here’s everything you need to know about shopping, paying, and navigating the German retail world in 2025.
🕘 Typical Opening Hours
Germany is very structured when it comes to when stores are open:
Type of Store | Opening Hours (Typical) |
Supermarkets (Rewe, Edeka, Lidl, Aldi) | Monday–Saturday, 7:00/8:00 AM to 8:00/9:00 PM |
Shopping Centers | Monday–Saturday, 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM |
Specialty Shops (clothing, electronics) | Monday–Saturday, 10:00 AM to 7:00/8:00 PM |
Bakeries | Open earlier (sometimes 6:00 AM), often close by 6:00 PM |
🔔 Important:
Sunday = Shopping holiday.
Most shops are closed on Sundays, including supermarkets.
Only exceptions: some bakeries (mornings), gas stations, and shops at train stations or airports.
🛍️ Special Shopping Sundays (Verkaufsoffene Sonntage):
A few Sundays per year, cities allow shops to open for major sales events.
🧺 Markets: Where Germany Shines
One of the best parts of shopping in Germany is visiting weekly farmers’ markets (Wochenmärkte):
Fresh fruits and vegetables
Artisan bread, cheeses, meats
Flowers and plants
Handcrafted goods and seasonal specialties
🌻 Market Culture Highlights:
Cash is king at markets — few accept cards.
Bargaining is rare (not like flea markets elsewhere).
Bring your own bag — sellers expect you to have one.
Seasonal specialties: Germany is serious about asparagus (Spargelzeit in spring) and pumpkin (Kürbiszeit in autumn)!
🛒 Big cities like Berlin, Hamburg, and Munich have famous markets like:
Berlin’s Winterfeldtmarkt (Saturday)
Munich’s Viktualienmarkt (daily)
Hamburg’s Isemarkt (Tuesdays and Fridays)
💳 Cash vs Card Culture
Cash (Bargeld) still plays a major role, even in 2025:
In big cities: contactless cards and Apple/Google Pay are widely accepted now.
In small towns or at street vendors: cash is expected.
At markets, small cafes, kiosks, and bakeries: always assume cash is preferred unless signs show otherwise.
💬 Good Tip:
Always carry at least €20–€50 cash with you for emergencies or small purchases.
Fun fact: Germans withdraw large amounts of cash at once (using ATMs, Geldautomat) rather than using cards for daily small purchases.
♻️ Bring Your Own Bags!
Environmental responsibility is deeply rooted in German shopping habits:
Plastic bags are not free: You’ll usually pay €0.20–€0.50 if you need one.
Reusable bags: Bring your own canvas, jute, or cloth bags — or buy sturdy ones from the store.
Cart Deposit (Pfand System for Carts):
At supermarkets, you must insert a €1 coin (or token) to use a shopping cart, refunded when you return it.
🚶♂️ Pro Tip: Foldable bags are popular — many Germans carry one folded up in their backpack or purse.
🛍️ Types of Shopping Experiences
Type | What to Expect |
Supermarkets (Rewe, Edeka, Aldi, Lidl) | Competitive prices, good variety; Aldi and Lidl are cheaper. |
Drogerie (dm, Rossmann, Müller) | Drugstores for toiletries, cleaning products, baby supplies. |
Department Stores (Galeria, Karstadt) | Mid-range to high-end clothing, home goods, electronics. |
Discounters (Penny, Netto) | Very cheap groceries, less variety. |
Bio Supermarkets (Alnatura, Denn’s Biomarkt) | Organic and eco-friendly products (more expensive). |
Very popular for clothing, electronics, home goods. Delivery usually 1–3 days. |
🆕 Shopping Trends in Germany (2025)
Contactless Payments: Now accepted almost everywhere, including markets and smaller shops.
Second-Hand Shopping: Booming, especially among younger Germans — apps like Vinted, Kleinanzeigen.
Eco-Friendly Products: More stores focus on plastic-free, bio, vegan, and Fairtrade products.
Click & Collect Services: Buy online, pick up in-store — common for groceries and electronics.
🚨 Common Mistakes Newcomers Make
❌ Expecting shops to be open late:
Remember, most close at 8:00 PM sharp, especially in smaller cities.
❌ Forgetting bags or cash at markets.
❌ Assuming customer service will be “sales-y”:
Staff are polite but usually not overly friendly or pushy — it’s normal!
❌ Ignoring Sunday closures:
Plan ahead, especially for food shopping, to avoid an empty fridge on Sunday.
📚 Useful Resources
🧭 Final Thoughts
Shopping in Germany requires a bit of planning and adapting, but once you get used to it, it’s easy and very rewarding.
✅ Plan grocery trips before Sunday.
✅ Carry cash and reusable bags.
✅ Explore local markets — they’re cultural gems!
Master these small habits and you’ll shop like a real local in no time! 🇩🇪🛒✨
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