The Local Germany

Court to decide if branding of Swabian whisky is too Scottish

Wed, 06 Feb 2019 13:14:31 +0100

A decision in a long-running court dispute on whether a Swabian distillery can call their whisky "Glen Buchenbach"- or if that name is too Scottish - is expected on Thursday.

Why your electricity bill is about to jump up at New Year

Wed, 23 Nov 2016 12:30:51 +0100

Renewable energy subsidies and infrastructure costs will mean millions of Germans will be paying more for their electricity next year.

Watchdog escapes breast implant fine

Thu, 02 Jul 2015 13:04:34 +0200

A French appeals court on Thursday found German safety standards body the Technische Überwachungsverein (TÜV) had "fulfilled its obligations" in certifying breast implants that were later found to be faulty and sparked a worldwide scare.

Retail sales show biggest drop for seven years

Fri, 31 Oct 2014 12:26:00 +0100

German shoppers cut back on their spending in September at the fastest rate for seven years, official data showed on Friday.

Retail sales rise at fastest rate for seven years

Fri, 28 Feb 2014 12:19:00 +0100

German retailers reported a surprisingly strong increase in business at the start of the year, official data showed on Friday, with sales rising at their fastest rate for seven years.

Foreign investment floods into Germany

Wed, 29 Jan 2014 09:51:00 +0100

UPDATE: Foreign investment into Germany increased by almost 400 percent last year, rising to €23.4 billion, a UN report revealed on Tuesday. It comes amid rising consumer and investor confidence.

Consumers to vote for biggest food ad fib

Tue, 22 May 2012 14:34:00 +0200

"Non-alcoholic" beer with a punch, cheap tea repackaged and sold for a fortune, or "low-fat" mince meat fleshed out with wheat and water. A consumer watchdog is sniffing out the cheekiest lies in food advertising.

Scientists invent packaging able to detect bad food

Wed, 04 May 2011 16:37:00 +0200

German scientists have developed a special plastic film that changes colour in contact with rotting food, possibly soon making bad meat or fish from the supermarket a thing of the past.

Lobster protection law could force better crustacean conditions

Sat, 30 Apr 2011 13:05:00 +0200

Attempts are being made to force seafood dealers who sell live lobsters in Germany to keep them under better conditions before they are sold and eaten.

Socks again for Christmas? You may be stuck with them

Mon, 27 Dec 2010 09:26:00 +0100

People disappointed with their Christmas presents have been delivered some bad news by Consumer Minister Ilse Aigner – they have no legal right to return unwanted gifts.

Millions of bank card customers caught in data scandal

Thu, 14 Oct 2010 11:07:00 +0200

The bank data and shopping behaviour of up to 14 million customers in Germany has been systematically gathered and used to promote loyalty programmes, a media report said on Wednesday night.

Premium rate service lines to drop fee for waiting callers

Sat, 19 Jun 2010 12:42:00 +0200

The infuriating telephone queues on premium rate customer ‘service’ lines where the caller pays in full to hear music or repeated recordings telling them how valued their custom is, will soon be free.

Inflation hits record low in 2009

Tue, 29 Dec 2009 16:45:00 +0100

German inflation averaged 0.4 percent in 2009, its lowest level in 10 years, provisional figures released on Tuesday by the national statistics office showed.

Aldi price hike gives hope to dairy farmers

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 11:00:00 +0200

Discount grocery chain Aldi has decided to raise its price for butter, giving hope to struggling German dairy farmers ahead of their meeting with Chancellor Angela Merkel, foodstuffs magazine Lebensmittelzeitung reported on Wednesday.

States pushing for tougher penalties for rotten meat

Fri, 15 May 2009 14:02:00 +0200

Germany’s upper house of parliament the Bundesrat has sent a consumer protection bill back to the drawing board, saying regulations regarding rotten meat need to be toughened up.

German lose thirst for beer in tough economic times

Sat, 10 Jan 2009 11:23:00 +0100

The average German drank two litres less beer last year than in 2007, putting the breweries into a funk, with sales from 2008 two percent down from the previous year, the brewers’ association reports.

Lentil and pork stew recalled in broken glass scare

Tue, 21 Oct 2008 17:29:00 +0200

Three German supermarkets have cleared tins of lentil and pork stew from their shelves and have asked customers to return it to stores after two people found pieces of broken glass in their dinner.