Anyone who lives close to the border will probably already regularly visit a supermarket across the border at our eastern neighbors. Nevertheless, it can also be interesting for those who live a little further away to do groceries in Germany now and then, and even for those who have to travel a little further, it can be nice to visit a German supermarket. The reason for this is the size of the stores, the prices and the range.
Format of the supermarkets
Most supermarkets in the Netherlands are of a modest size, but that is different for our eastern neighbors! Although you can also find smaller supermarkets in Germany, there are also plenty of large supermarkets of a size that we do not actually know in the Netherlands. These are of course best represented in the somewhat larger towns such as Nordhorn and Cleves. Names of German supermarkets include “Marktkauf”, “Rewe”, “K + K” and “Kaufland”.
Assortment in German supermarkets
The range in the supermarkets in Germany is somewhat different from that in the Netherlands and, of course, thanks to the large format of the supermarkets, it is also much more extensive. You will certainly run into a lot of products that we do not know at all in the Netherlands. The reverse is of course also the case, not all trusted Dutch brands can also be found in the German supermarket. Sometimes a brand can be found, but it has a different name, you usually recognize it by the design of the packaging. However, it is possible that very different variants of a well-known brand are sold than in the Netherlands.
Alcoholic beverages
This is probably the product that most people will mention when you ask what is cheaper in Germany. This applies especially to the highly alcoholic drinks. In addition to the lower price, the range is also interesting. There is a wide range of fruit wines and different types of liqueurs, often at attractive prices.
Drugstore items
It can be very attractive to stock your drugstore items in Germany. Think of things like shampoo and deodorant, but also things like hair dye and some detergents and fabric softeners are often cheaper. Many of our well-known brands in this area are also represented in Germany, so there is a good chance that your favorite brand is also among them.
However, it is advisable to go to a Schlecker, for example, since the prices there (just like in the Netherlands) are usually even lower than in the supermarkets.
Desserts and iced coffee
The range of desserts in Germany cannot be compared at all with that in the Netherlands. German supermarkets have a huge selection of all kinds of desserts, often in portion packs. Yogurt, pudding, semolina desserts, rice desserts and that in all shapes, sizes and flavors. Of course, luxury desserts can also be found here, but the prices are generally low compared to Dutch desserts for one person. For between 30 and 60 cents per dessert you already have a lot of choice. You can usually also find iced coffee on this same shelf. In the Netherlands, this cold coffee can usually only be bought cheaply at Lidl during the summer period, in Germany you can buy it all year round and almost every supermarket has a cheaper version of between 50 and 60 cents per cup.
Ready-made meals
A product that we hardly know in the Netherlands and where you have a relatively large choice in Germany are the sustainable ready meals. These meals do not need to be kept cool and can often be kept for months. Prices vary a little for each more simple or luxurious meal, but are usually between one and a half and three euros each.
Also much to be found are cups with dried food in which you have to pour boiling water. Different types of pasta, noodles and mashed potato variants are represented. The prices for this differ per brand and are usually between fifty cents and one and a half euros per cup.
Chocolate
Those who love chocolate can indulge themselves in a German supermarket. A wide range of bars, bonbons and other chocolate varieties can be found in almost every supermarket. This ranges from very affordable to very luxurious. Of course you can also buy cheap chocolate in the Netherlands, but this usually only concerns milk, dark and sometimes white chocolate. In Germany there are often many types of bars for sale from the cheaper brands, for example with fillings such as marzipan, yogurt, coffee, raspberry and mint. For those who prefer luxury, there are many products from the well-known Lindt brand. But there are also special luxury filled bars and chocolates in all shapes and sizes for sale from other brands. A true mecca for every chocolate lover!
More expensive and less interesting
It is impossible to list all the special products that can be found in a German supermarket, it is also much more fun to find out all about yourself when you are there. It is useful to know that certainly not everything can be bought better in Germany. For example, coffee is generally more expensive with our eastern neighbors. On the other hand, there are again many special coffee specialties to be found, which can make it interesting to walk by this shelf. What is poorly represented is the chips, expensive and little choice, so the Germans better come to the Netherlands for this than the other way around. The assortment of biscuits is usually not as large and special as in the Netherlands, but who knows, there may still be something special for you.
Payment in Germany
In addition to paying in cash, you can actually pay with your ‘Karte’ at any German supermarket, so your debit card. Do not be surprised if there is no card reader to be seen, in many cases it is still customary to hand over your debit card to the cashier who then passes it through or puts it in, after which the device is pushed in your direction so that you can enter and confirm your pin code. As soon as the payment has been completed, you will receive your debit card back from the cashier. This, for us, unusual state of affairs is very common in Germany and you do not have to worry that something strange will happen to you only when they want to accept it from you.