https://feeds.thelocal.com/ Read the latest news and views from Germany in English en-us news@thelocal.com (TheLocal) webmaster@thelocal.com (TheLocal) TheLocal RSS Feed From the sprawling flea markets to the mystery of 'zu verschenken' boxes, Germany is a haven for second-hand hunters. Here is everything you need to know about navigating the country's pre-loved shopping scene. https://www.thelocal.de/20260428/how-to-buy-second-hand-and-save-money-in-germany Tue, 28 Apr 2026 12:10:11 +0200 how-to-buy-second-hand-and-save-money-in-germany As the shopping frenzy around Black Friday and the holidays approaches, it’s easy to get swept up in the excitement of discounts and special offers. But how do you know if you’re truly getting a bargain in Germany? https://www.thelocal.de/20251107/how-can-i-tell-if-a-deal-is-really-a-deal-in-germany Fri, 07 Nov 2025 13:05:45 +0100 how-can-i-tell-if-a-deal-is-really-a-deal-in-germany The cost of everyday products in Germany is rising – but the picture isn't all bad: electronic goods are significantly cheaper than a year ago. https://www.thelocal.de/20251119/why-its-a-good-time-to-buy-electronic-goods-in-germany Wed, 19 Nov 2025 11:47:13 +0100 why-its-a-good-time-to-buy-electronic-goods-in-germany Semi-automated retail stores are popping up around Germany, allowing customers to access snacks, drinks and other products at all hours. But not everyone is happy about businesses operating on Sundays. https://www.thelocal.de/20250808/smart-stores-how-a-new-retail-trend-is-disrupting-germanys-shop-free-sundays Fri, 08 Aug 2025 19:03:03 +0200 smart-stores-how-a-new-retail-trend-is-disrupting-germanys-shop-free-sundays The German competition regulator is investigating whether Amazon is abusing its dominant market position to keep prices artificially high – a move which could lead to changes in how the tech giant does business in the country. https://www.thelocal.de/20250602/could-germany-force-online-giant-amazon-to-change-its-prices Mon, 02 Jun 2025 18:02:57 +0200 could-germany-force-online-giant-amazon-to-change-its-prices From January 1st, 2025, Switzerland has cut the tax-free allowance for cross-border shoppers by half – from 300 to 150 francs. This means that shopping abroad is now less lucrative for the Swiss, but German retailers found a way around this problem. https://www.thelocal.de/20250508/how-german-retailers-help-swiss-shoppers-circumvent-tax-rules Thu, 08 May 2025 13:19:13 +0200 how-german-retailers-help-swiss-shoppers-circumvent-tax-rules Stocking up on food and drink is an essential part of Christmas, but navigating limited opening hours, crowded shops and empty shelves can be a hassle. Here's how to enjoy a relatively stress-free shopping experience in Germany this festive weekend. https://www.thelocal.de/20221222/which-shops-are-open-in-germany-over-the-christmas-holidays-and-when Thu, 22 Dec 2022 15:28:49 +0100 which-shops-are-open-in-germany-over-the-christmas-holidays-and-when Consumers in Germany have been spending a lot less during the pandemic, new research has confirmed - with clothing shops hit particularly hard. https://www.thelocal.de/20210420/this-is-how-much-less-germans-spent-during-the-pandemic Tue, 20 Apr 2021 12:48:53 +0200 this-is-how-much-less-germans-spent-during-the-pandemic Employees of the online retailer Amazon have downed their tools at several locations across Germany in a protest against precarious wages, but the online shopping giant insists that the strike won’t impact Christmas deliveries. https://www.thelocal.de/20201221/amazon-workers-across-germany-go-on-strike-for-higher-wages-in-build-up-to-online-xmas Mon, 21 Dec 2020 16:15:53 +0100 amazon-workers-across-germany-go-on-strike-for-higher-wages-in-build-up-to-online-xmas Bavarian authorities have urged people in Austria not to go shopping across the border while most of the country has been classed as a risk zone by Germany. https://www.thelocal.de/20201026/covid-19-bavaria-warns-austrians-against-cross-border-shopping Mon, 26 Oct 2020 10:58:50 +0100 covid-19-bavaria-warns-austrians-against-cross-border-shopping As 10 Swiss cantons are now on Germany’s ‘high risk’ list, many in the region worry that cross-border shopping may be in peril. https://www.thelocal.de/20201019/panic-buying-fearing-the-closure-of-borders-the-swiss-go-binge-shopping-in-germany Mon, 19 Oct 2020 16:02:13 +0200 panic-buying-fearing-the-closure-of-borders-the-swiss-go-binge-shopping-in-germany Much of the damage that food production does to the environment is not truly reflected in the prices on our shelves. And if it were, the price of meat, milk and cheese in Germany would go through the roof, a new study in Germany shows. https://www.thelocal.de/20200901/how-much-your-german-food-shop-should-really-cost Tue, 01 Sep 2020 17:26:56 +0200 how-much-your-german-food-shop-should-really-cost Here's a look at what the VAT reduction will mean for people in Germany. https://www.thelocal.de/20200612/what-to-know-about-germanys-planned-vat-reduction Fri, 12 Jun 2020 12:57:27 +0200 what-to-know-about-germanys-planned-vat-reduction From July 1st the VAT (value added tax) was reduced for six months, meaning many products will become cheaper. We looked at what that means for you. https://www.thelocal.de/20200630/how-much-will-you-save-on-products-with-germanys-new-vat-reduction Tue, 30 Jun 2020 17:36:29 +0200 how-much-will-you-save-on-products-with-germanys-new-vat-reduction The German government on Monday banned gatherings in churches, mosques and synagogues and ordered non-essential shops as well as playgrounds shut, as it battled to slow the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. https://www.thelocal.de/20200316/germany-orders-closer-of-non-essential-shops Mon, 16 Mar 2020 17:11:10 +0100 germany-orders-closer-of-non-essential-shops 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. https://www.thelocal.de/20200119/german-shops-chaff-against-wasteful-receipt-law Sun, 19 Jan 2020 08:23:51 +0100 german-shops-chaff-against-wasteful-receipt-law An international city with a reputation for style, Berlin is a haven for shopaholics. Here's The Local's guide to some of the best places to shop in the capital city that reflect its range in styles, tastes and creative ideas. https://www.thelocal.de/20190805/11-essential-shopping-spots-in-berlin Mon, 05 Aug 2019 16:43:49 +0200 11-essential-shopping-spots-in-berlin When it comes to supermarkets in Germany there is loads of choice, from discount chains to organic shops. Here's our handy guide to some of them, and the kinds of products they offer. https://www.thelocal.de/20181022/supermarkets Mon, 22 Oct 2018 17:54:27 +0200 supermarkets The Swedish home furnishings giant Ikea announced on Thursday that it is imposing stricter rules on the return of purchases, after its generous policy has been abused by too many customers. https://www.thelocal.de/20180719/why-ikea-wont-let-you-bring-a-bashed-up-sofa-back-any-more Thu, 19 Jul 2018 18:58:46 +0200 why-ikea-wont-let-you-bring-a-bashed-up-sofa-back-any-more March 15th is World Consumer Day and Germans are no exception when it comes to buying things. Last year consumer spending in Germany saw its sharpest increase since 1994, reported the Federal Statistics Office (Destatis) on Wednesday. https://www.thelocal.de/20180315/germany-last-year-saw-biggest-growth-in-consumer-spending Thu, 15 Mar 2018 12:42:49 +0100 germany-last-year-saw-biggest-growth-in-consumer-spending