Germany is famous for its high quality products. People all over the world regard “Made in Germany” as a sign of a high quality warranty. If you are moving to Germany, you will find that plenty of goods are made locally as well as products from all over the world.
There are supermarkets or small shops for every day needs and most supermarkets offer a large variety of goods and services, including foods from all over the world. Very large stores are normally situated outside of the town or city centre but transport will be very convenient. There are a few supermarkets that dominate in Germany. Some of them are listed below:
Among them Aldi is the largest one. It is famous for its cheap price with comparably high quality products. There may be a market in the city or town centre where you can buy fresh but cheap vegetables, meat and seafood.
If you want to buy clothing, household goods or electrical equipment you normally need to go to the city or town centre. Nearly every town or city has at least one main shopping street where you can find shops providing different goods and services. You may find large shopping centres or department shores on such streets.
Often retail parks are situated outside of cities or towns. They usually cover a large amount of space and accommodate many fashion stores, some large furniture stores and electrical goods stores. There are also food courts available. The best way to get there is by car, although public transportation is also convenient.
There are also many Outlets all over Germany, where you can find many designer brands at a bargain price. Famous outlets are listed below:
Germany imposes a value added tax at the rate of 19% on most merchandise. The tax is included in the prices so you do not need to calculate this while shopping.
Online shopping is popular in Germany. Most of the High Street shops and the supermarkets have their own online shopping websites. There are also some internet based websites selling merchandise. Some may provide free delivery if your purchases reach a certain amount. For your peace of mind when you buy online in Germany you have the right to return the products within 14 days of purchase without providing any justification.
You can also buy what you want online from all over the world from websites such as Amazon and eBay. You will need to be aware that this is a form of importation. Therefore, this may trigger custom duties and VAT and some things are not allowed to enter Germany, please check here https://www1.zoll.de/english_version/b0_prohibitions_and_restrictions/index.html to confirm what is prohibited.
Shops normally open for six days a week as business on Sunday is generally not allowed in Germany. The business hours on Saturdays are shorter than in the week. Typical hours in a day are listed as below:
Mondays to Fridays | 10am to 8pm |
Saturdays | 10am to 4pm |
Very large supermarkets may close at mid-night on week days. Small shops close at about 6pm in the week and at 2pm on Saturdays. It is recommended to purchase anything you will need for Sunday in advance as only convenient shops in railway stations, petrol stations and very small shops called “kiosks” will be open.
Sections in LIVING IN GERMANY:
» Safety and Emergencies for Expats in Germany
» Retirement for Expats in Germany
» Family Life and Childcare for Expats in Germany
» Solo Living and Dating for Expats in Germany
» Shopping for Expats in Germany
» Entertainment, Media and Television for Expats in Germany
» Arts and Culture for Expats in Germany
» Fitness and Sport for Expats in Germany
» Communications for Expats in Germany
» Driving and Public Transport for Expats in Germany
» Government, Politics and Legal Systems for Expats in Germany
» Regions and Cities for Expats in Germany
If you are considering moving to Germany or are soon to depart, you can find helpful information and advice in the Expat Briefing dedicated German section including; details of immigration and visas, German forums, German event listings and service providers in Germany.
From your safety to shopping, living in Germany can yield great benefits as well as occasional drawbacks. Find your feet and stay abreast of the latest developments affecting expats in Germany with relevant news and up-to-date information.
Working in Germany can be rewarding as well as stressful, if you don't plan ahead and fulfill any legal requirements. Find out about visas and passports, owning and operating a company in Germany, and general German culture of the labour market.