The Local Germany

German retail giants start wave of lawsuits against lockdown

Thu, 25 Feb 2021 17:08:07 +0100

Several of Germany’s largest retail chains started taken to the courts trying to force an end to the lockdown of high streets stores, as they say that mass layoffs are otherwise imminent.

Coronavirus: Can Germany revive its hollowed-out city centres?

Tue, 29 Dec 2020 10:36:31 +0100

The charming German city of Lübeck was lovingly done up for the holidays with fairy lights and garlands but the usual festive bustle was eerily absent this pandemic-scarred winter.

German Amazon workers strike on 'Black Friday'

Thu, 26 Nov 2020 17:49:31 +0100

Amazon workers in Germany started a three-day strike Thursday timed to disrupt the online retailer's "Black Friday" sales bonanza.

German shops chaff against 'wasteful' receipt law

Sun, 19 Jan 2020 08:23:51 +0100

In January it became law in Germany that retailers must print a receipt for every last transaction in a bid to fight tax evasion, but shopkeepers, customers and industry groups are already bucking against the scheme.

Card payments outstrip cash for first time in Germany

Tue, 07 May 2019 12:12:37 +0200

Grounded in history, German’s scepticism for card payments has meant cash has long been king in Deutschland. But a gradual increase in card payments – along with growing trust in the medium – has seen them eclipse cash payments in Germany for the first time.

Erotic chain Beate Uhse to be reinvigorated by new investor

Fri, 06 Apr 2018 17:21:45 +0200

Once Europe’s biggest erotic retail company, Beate Uhse filed for insolvency last year, but is now set to be saved by a financial investor.

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.

Investors scream for joy at Zalando IPO plans

Wed, 03 Sep 2014 11:52:00 +0200

Online retail giant Zalando plans to go public on the Frankfurt stock exchange, hoping to do so before 2014 is out. The exact date has not yet been set, nor has an initial share price been announced.

Energy-sucking vacuums no longer welcome

Mon, 01 Sep 2014 14:31:00 +0200

Starting on Monday, vacuum cleaners drawing more than 1600 watts can no longer be brought into Germany. The ban is part of a an EU-wide environmental protection measure.

Ailing Karstadt chain sold for €1 (again)

Fri, 15 Aug 2014 16:42:00 +0200

The retail giant's German holders are throwing in the towel on their attempt to pull the department store chain out of the red.

Forbes list reveals Germany's richest people

Tue, 04 Mar 2014 15:33:00 +0100

To be rich in Germany you either need to inherit your wealth, start a discount supermarket chain or own a chunk of BMW, according to the Forbes Billionaires List published on Tuesday.

High street stores 'sold cat fur hats'

Mon, 06 Jan 2014 09:47:00 +0100

Items made of cat fur have been found in two leading German high street chains, it emerged on Monday.

EU roaming charges 'to go by July 2016'

Mon, 09 Sep 2013 13:21:00 +0200

After months of waiting, the EU finally announced the date when mobile phone roaming charges will be scrapped. There should be no extra charge on calls, texts or internet by July 2016.

Serious summer sales follow poor season

Fri, 19 Jul 2013 15:03:00 +0200

Shoppers will be spoiled for bargains over the coming few weeks, with the annual summer sales expected to see half of Germany's retailers slashing prices by up to 70 percent.

Coffee roaster sells false teeth along with beans

Tue, 16 Jul 2013 18:13:00 +0200

A German coffee retailer is selling false teeth and crowns alongside its fresh-roasted beans, in a move criticized by dentists as interference in the dentist-patient relationship.

DIY chain Praktiker slides into insolvency

Thu, 11 Jul 2013 11:13:00 +0200

Are Germans losing interest in tool belts and hammers? One of the country's biggest DIY supply chains Praktiker declared itself insolvent on Wednesday night, with nearly 20,000 jobs now at risk.

EU cap to crush mobile roaming costs

Mon, 01 Jul 2013 12:44:00 +0200

Happy holidays once again courtesy of the EU, as a new, lower cap on was slapped on the cost of Europe-wide roaming mobile calls and internet from Monday.

Clothes shops slash prices after poor weather

Fri, 21 Jun 2013 14:24:00 +0200

The mild winter and chilly spring have hit Germany's clothing industry hard, with some already slashing prices in a desperate attempt to generate sales, Die Welt newspaper reported on Friday.

Canny footballer shoots, scores, is banned

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 12:30:00 +0200

A German amateur footballer who took part in a goal-shooting competition organized by an electronics retail chain, won thousands of euros worth of goods for himself, friends and even complete strangers - until the store banned him.

Rat poison found at Lidl supermarkets

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 19:02:00 +0200

The German discount supermarket chain Lidl was under fire on Thursday for reportedly scattering rat poison on its produce shelves - without warning customers or reporting a rodent problem to the authorities.