Grocery shopping in Germany: top supermarkets and delivery services

Expats can give up on certain things to save money, but grocery shopping is definitely not on this list. However, you can still cut expenses if you know where and how to buy food. In this article, we’ll give you some tips on grocery shopping in Germany. Learn more to spend less.

Offline grocery shopping in Germany

First things first, we need to decide where to shop. Let’s pick a grocery store!

Best supermarkets in Germany: Cheap version

Going to a cheap grocery store may be a good option for those who prefer simplicity in food. If you’re not picky, have the patience to wait in lines and carefully select products, go to:

• Lidl;
• Aldi
• Netto;
• Penny.

They are among the biggest supermarkets in Germany and are perfect for budget-friendly grocery shopping. If you shop here, it’ll reduce your total cost of living in Germany.

Best supermarkets in Germany: Paying more for quality and comfort

For those whose taste in food is slightly more refined, there are mid- and high-range grocery stores. They offer a wide range of gourmet and fresh, organic products. The biggest supermarkets in Germany for high-quality ingredients are:

Depending on your eating habits, location, and free time, pick a store that suits you and allows you to enjoy grocery shopping in Germany.

Online grocery shopping in Germany

If you’re always busy or can’t find preferred shops nearby, ordering a grocery delivery in Germany is a solution.

Food delivery apps in Germany

• Lieferando
• Wolt
• UberEats

Ordering food is easy; pick a store or a restaurant and select products. However, remember that some positions may become out of stock after you order, so the shop cannot deliver them. The funds for missing products should be returned. Moreover, the delivery time may vary depending on the weather conditions and other factors.

If you can’t cook for some reason, there are options for delivering prepared meal plans. For the best online shopping in Germany, check out:

• HelloFresh;
• Factor;
• Personal chef Berlin.

Tips on grocery shopping in Germany

Download shops’ application

There, you can find discounts, get a loyalty card, and look for the best offers and sales. Those apps will not take up a lot of storage space, but they will help you save money on grocery shopping.

Buy big packages

In the long run, paying for the oversized packages will save you money. So make a list of products with a long shelf life that you often consume, and shop big!

Take advantage of the first-time offers

If you order grocery delivery in Germany, you’ll probably notice that most services offer no fees or discounts on your first order. So use them all! Download different apps and shop at least one in each of them. Thus, you’ll compare the quality of delivery and save some money. But don’t tell them we said that to you.

How to save more as an expat

Your wallet will not be happy to know that you’re moving to another country, so take care of it and find some ways to cut expenses:

• Save on utility bills;
• Buy clothes in the second-hand shops;
• Visit free festivals, workshops and events for entertainment;
• Find flatmates;
• Look for more discounts. For example, if you’re a student, you can go to museums and travel with reduced tickets;
• Buy a 49 EUR ticket to explore Germany;
• Save on the money transfers back home.

Remittances are inevitable for most of the expats. To make the most out of it, you need a beneficial, fast and secure service. With Profee, you can send financial support back home at excellent exchange rates and with little to no fees. Read more about sending money from Germany (on the example of Kenya) with Profee here.

Conclusion

In this article, we share some tips on grocery shopping in Germany. Pick a store wisely, hunt for discounts, and shop smart. To save even more, follow budgeting advice for expats and send money back home with Profee.