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Rising food prices: Tips for saving money

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SWR "MARKTCHECK"

Special offers: Why there are fewer of them - and how we can still save money

Fewer special offers are appearing in supermarket and discount store flyers. What’s behind the trend – and how shoppers can still protect their wallets when buying groceries.

From the COVID pandemic to the war in Ukraine and now the conflict involving Iran – one crisis after another has driven food prices higher. Experts expect further price increases in the coming months.

Studies show that one in two consumers already relies financially on special offers. More than half also report that discounts are what make purchasing branded products possible in the first place.

At the same time, researchers have found that the number of special offers featured in printed supermarket and discount store flyers is declining.

Rewe CEO: “We’re not lining our pockets”

Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung

Rewe is reporting record results. But critics argue that rising supermarket revenues reflect excessive market power – which they say is contributing to higher prices.

Fears of sharply rising food prices are returning. Many Germans still recall the period following the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, when food prices rose significantly above average. A similar scenario could emerge due to the conflict involving Iran.

For now, Rewe CEO Lionel Souque is offering some reassurance: “So far, mainly raisins, saffron, and pistachios have been affected,” he said in an interview with the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. However, he added: “If the conflict continues, food prices could also rise in the medium term due to higher transportation and packaging costs.”

Rewe CEO: Branded products are losing importance

Handelsblatt

Shopping behavior in supermarkets is changing noticeably. Lionel Souque sees several reasons behind the shift.

Cologne. Whether it’s chocolate or coffee - branded products are less important for Rewe today than they were just a few years ago. “They are definitely losing importance. We can’t say that for every single product, but overall both volumes and sales are declining compared to our private-label brands,” Souque told the German Press Agency.

As food prices have risen, lower-priced private-label products from retailers are becoming increasingly popular with customers. According to Souque, Rewe supermarkets increased revenue from these products by 6% in 2025 compared to the previous year – a stronger-than-average growth rate.

The share of private-label sales is rising year after year and now accounts for nearly 30% of total revenue.

Rewe CEO sees shift in shopping behavior - fewer people are buying branded products at Rewe

Tagesspiegel

More and more people are now shopping at discount retailers instead of Rewe. At the same time, consumers are choosing different products than they did just two years ago. Rewe CEO Lionel Souque sees several reasons behind this shift.

Whether it’s chocolate or coffee – branded products are less important for Rewe today than they were a few years ago. “They are definitely losing importance. We can’t say that for every single product, but overall both volumes and sales are declining compared to our private-label brands,” Souque told the German Press Agency.

As food prices have risen, lower-priced private-label products from retail chains have become increasingly popular with customers. According to Souque, Rewe supermarkets increased revenue from these products by 6% in 2025 compared to the previous year – a stronger-than-average increase. The share of private-label sales has been rising year after year and now accounts for nearly 30% of total revenue.

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

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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.