Where to buy what
| Shop | For |
|---|---|
| Discounters (Aldi, Lidl, Netto, Penny) | Cheapest groceries; limited choice |
| Supermarkets (Rewe, Edeka, Kaufland) | Wider choice, international aisles |
| Drogerie (dm, Rossmann, Müller) | Toiletries, cleaning products, baby supplies, photo prints, organic food, and biometric passport photos |
| Apotheke | Medicines (even mild painkillers in larger packs), medical advice |
| Getränkemarkt | Drinks by the crate, Pfand returns |
| Baumarkt (Obi, Bauhaus, Hornbach) | DIY, lamps, tools, garden |
| Asian / Turkish / Indian / African grocery shops | International ingredients — often cheaper than supermarkets |
Opening hours
Mostly Monday–Saturday, about 7/8:00–20:00/22:00 in cities. Sundays and public holidays closed (bakeries open a few hours; railway-station and petrol-station shops stay open). Small towns close earlier, and some shops close at lunch.
Pfand (deposit)
| Container | Deposit |
|---|---|
| Single-use plastic bottles and cans ("Einweg" logo) | €0.25 |
| Reusable glass beer bottles | €0.08 |
| Reusable water/juice bottles (glass or PET "Mehrweg") | €0.15 |
| Crates | €1.50 and up |
Return them to any shop that sells that type of container — machines print a voucher you redeem at the till. Since 2024, milk drinks in plastic bottles also carry the €0.25 deposit.
Paying and receipts
- Paying by card is common, but carry €20–50 in cash. "Nur Barzahlung" means cash only.
- Bring your own bags — paper bags cost extra.
- At the till, bag quickly — cashiers scan fast. It's normal to pack after paying, at the shelf behind.
- Tipping: round up or 5–10% in restaurants, said aloud when paying ("Stimmt so" or "Machen Sie 30").
Returns and warranties
- Online: 14-day right of withdrawal (Chapter 15). In store: no legal right to return — only goodwill (Kulanz).
- Legal warranty (Gewährleistung): 2 years for defects. In the first 12 months the seller must prove the defect wasn't there at purchase.
Post and parcels
Deutsche Post / DHL branches (often inside shops), Packstation lockers for parcels (free registration), and neighbours often accept parcels for you — check the note in your letterbox.