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For the first time in years

Berliner Morgenpost

Chocolate maker Lindt cuts prices in Germany

Berlin. Lindt has recently struggled with declining sales. Now the Swiss chocolate maker is responding by lowering prices for selected products.

For the first time in years, Lindt is reducing prices again. The move is driven by a significant drop in sales, the company told Lebensmittel Zeitung. According to the report, the price cuts will initially apply to the brand’s entry-level product line.

Specifically, the recommended retail price for a 100-gram bar from the “Classics” range in Germany will fall from €2.69 to €2.19. Reports suggest this is only the first step, with further price reductions possible in the second half of 2026.

Ruling: Penny may offer exclusive discounts via app

Bild

Computer Bild

Penny may continue advertising exclusive app-based discounts - despite criticism over potential discrimination

The discount retailer Penny may continue offering discounts that can only be accessed via its app. The Higher Regional Court of Hamm dismissed a lawsuit filed by the Verbraucherzentrale Bundesverband (vzbv). Consumer advocates are now considering an appeal to Germany’s Federal Court of Justice. At the center of the case was a fruit yogurt advertised with a discount of up to 52% – available exclusively to registered app users.

App-based discounts not considered discriminatory

Consumer advocates argued that this practice discriminates against certain groups, particularly older or less tech-savvy individuals. However, the court did not accept this reasoning. It found no sufficient evidence of discrimination based on age or disability. An appeal was allowed.

Dispute over discount apps

Augsburger Allgemeine

Lawsuit against app-based discounts at Penny dismissed

The discount retailer Penny offers additional discounts through its app – but only for registered users. Consumer advocates consider this unfair. However, they have once again lost in court.

Penny may continue advertising discounts that are available exclusively via its app. A lawsuit filed by the Verbraucherzentrale Bundesverband (vzbv) seeking an injunction was dismissed by the Higher Regional Court of Hamm (case no. I-13 UKl 7/25).

In a promotional flyer, Penny had advertised a fruit yogurt with a discount of up to 52%. However, the reduced price applies only to customers registered in the app. Consumer advocates argue that this constitutes discrimination and violates Germany’s General Equal Treatment Act. They claim that older people, individuals with disabilities, and younger consumers may be disadvantaged, as they often cannot or do not use such devices or apps.

Court dismisses lawsuit

apotheke adhoc

Penny allowed to advertise app-based discounts

Berlin – The discount retailer Penny may continue to advertise discounts that consumers can access exclusively via its app. A lawsuit filed by the Verbraucherzentrale Bundesverband (vzbv) seeking an injunction was dismissed by the Higher Regional Court of Hamm.

Penny had advertised a fruit yogurt in a flyer with a discount of up to 52%. However, the reduced price applies only to customers registered in the app. Consumer advocates argue that this constitutes discrimination and violates Germany’s General Equal Treatment Act. They claim that older people, individuals with disabilities, and younger consumers may be disadvantaged, as they often cannot or do not use such devices or apps.

The court did not follow this reasoning. There was no evidence of discrimination based on disability or age, a court spokesperson said. The available materials only showed that older people use the internet and smartphones less frequently – but did not explain why. An appeal was allowed. If the vzbv chooses to pursue it, the case could ultimately be reviewed by Germany’s Federal Court of Justice.

Lawsuit against app-based discounts at Penny dismissed

Stern

The discount retailer Penny offers additional discounts through its app - but only for registered users. Consumer advocates consider this unfair. However, they have once again lost in court.

Penny may continue to advertise discounts that consumers can access exclusively via its app. A lawsuit filed by the Verbraucherzentrale Bundesverband (vzbv) seeking an injunction was dismissed by the 13th Civil Senate of the Higher Regional Court of Hamm (case no. I-13 UKl 7/25).

In a promotional flyer, Penny had advertised a fruit yogurt with a discount of up to 52%. However, the reduced price applies only to registered app users. Consumer advocates argue that this constitutes discrimination and violates Germany’s General Equal Treatment Act. They claim that older people, individuals with disabilities, and younger consumers may be disadvantaged, as they often cannot or do not use such devices or apps.

Lawsuit against app-based discounts at Penny dismissed

Süddeutsche Zeitung

The discount retailer Penny offers additional discounts through its app - but only for registered users. Consumer advocates consider this unfair. However, they have once again lost in court.

Hamm (dpa) – Penny may continue to advertise discounts that consumers can access exclusively via its app. A lawsuit filed by the Verbraucherzentrale Bundesverband (vzbv) seeking an injunction was dismissed by the 13th Civil Senate of the Higher Regional Court of Hamm (case no. I-13 UKl 7/25).

In a promotional flyer, Penny had advertised a fruit yogurt with a discount of up to 52%. However, the reduced price applies only to registered app users. Consumer advocates argue that this constitutes discrimination and violates Germany’s General Equal Treatment Act. They claim that older people, individuals with disabilities, and younger consumers may be disadvantaged, as they often cannot or do not use such devices or apps.

The court did not follow this reasoning. There was no evidence of discrimination based on disability or age, a court spokesperson said. Sufficient proof was lacking. The available materials only showed that older people use the internet and smartphones less frequently - but did not explain why.

An appeal was allowed. If the vzbv chooses to pursue it, the case could ultimately be reviewed by Germany’s Federal Court of Justice.

Win for discount retailer

RND

Lawsuit dismissed: Penny may continue offering exclusive app-based discounts

The discount retailer Penny promotes additional discounts through its app - but only for registered users. Consumer advocates consider this unfair. However, they have once again lost in court.

Hamm. Penny may continue to advertise discounts that consumers can access exclusively via its app. A lawsuit filed by the Verbraucherzentrale Bundesverband (vzbv) seeking an injunction was dismissed by the 13th Civil Senate of the Higher Regional Court of Hamm (case no. I-13 UKl 7/25).

In a promotional flyer, Penny had advertised a fruit yogurt with a discount of up to 52%. However, the reduced price applies only to registered app users. Consumer advocates argue that this constitutes discrimination and violates Germany’s General Equal Treatment Act. They claim that older people, individuals with disabilities, and younger consumers may be disadvantaged, as they often cannot or do not use such devices or apps.

The court did not follow this reasoning. There was no evidence of discrimination based on disability or age, a court spokesperson said. Sufficient proof was lacking. The available materials only showed that older people use the internet and smartphones less frequently - but did not explain why. An appeal was allowed. If the vzbv chooses to pursue it, the case could ultimately be reviewed by Germany’s Federal Court of Justice.

Lawsuit against app-based discounts at Penny dismissed

WELT

The discount retailer Penny offers additional discounts through its app - but only for registered users. Consumer advocates consider this unfair. However, they have once again lost in court.

Penny may continue to advertise discounts that consumers can access exclusively via its app. A lawsuit filed by the Verbraucherzentrale Bundesverband (vzbv) seeking an injunction was dismissed by the 13th Civil Senate of the Higher Regional Court of Hamm (case no. I-13 UKl 7/25).

In a promotional flyer, Penny had advertised a fruit yogurt with a discount of up to 52%. However, the reduced price applies only to registered app users. Consumer advocates argue that this constitutes discrimination and violates Germany’s General Equal Treatment Act. They claim that older people, individuals with disabilities, and younger consumers may be disadvantaged, as they often cannot or do not use such devices or apps.

The court did not follow this reasoning. There was no evidence of discrimination based on disability or age, a court spokesperson said. Sufficient proof was lacking. The available materials only showed that older people use the internet and smartphones less frequently – but did not explain why.

An appeal was allowed. If the vzbv chooses to pursue it, the case could ultimately be reviewed by Germany’s Federal Court of Justice.

Are Penny’s discounts illegal? Court in North Rhine-Westphalia provides clarity

DER WESTEN

The Verbraucherzentrale Bundesverband (vzbv) has failed in its lawsuit against Penny. The court found no unlawful discrimination against specific customer groups.

The discount retailer may continue to offer special discounts that are available exclusively through its own app. The Higher Regional Court of Hamm dismissed the vzbv’s claim seeking an injunction.

The dispute was triggered by a promotional flyer in which Penny advertised a yogurt with a discount of more than 50% – but only for registered app users. Consumer advocates criticized this as discriminatory, arguing that older people and individuals with disabilities in particular could be disadvantaged by the digital barrier.

Economy

Frankfurter Rundschau

“Customers won’t accept this anymore”: Edeka retailer sharply criticizes Lindt

Munich. As prices continue to rise, consumers in Germany are becoming increasingly cautious with their spending – a trend that’s especially visible during the holidays. For this year’s Easter retail season, the Handelsverband Deutschland (HDE) had expected sales of €2.1 billion, marking a 6.5% decline compared to the previous year. The association cites the ongoing tense economic and political environment as the reason for this historic drop.

Rising prices – particularly for chocolate – are also contributing to weaker consumer demand. According to an analysis by the comparison app smhaggle for the German Press Agency (dpa), chocolate Easter bunnies from major brands such as Ferrero, Kinder, Lindt, and Milka have become 7% to 29% more expensive compared to Easter 2025, depending on size and brand.