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If you are planning a trip, a long-term visit or even a move to Germany, I have some advice for you. I'm American, but have been living in Germany with my family for over a decade.
One thing you'll probably notice early on is that your trip to the grocery store to stock up on supplies might look a little different than what you're used to in the United States. Here is why.
Given that the United States is simply much bigger than Germany as a country, it stands to reason that German grocery stores have less of a selection when it comes to brands and varieties within products.
A great example is orange juice. At a typical US supermarket, you can find a range of highly specific types of orange juice, like "added calcium," "some pulp," or "heart-healthy with Omega-3's." Not so in Germany for the most part: you'll typically have a selection between a couple of brands, perhaps narrowed down by being with pulp or without pulp. Although larger grocery stores will offer a bigger variety, it generally won't be as vast as an American supermarket.
Within Germany, brands are often somewhat regional as well. When you buy milk in Bavaria, the brand selection is likely to be exclusively Bavarian companies. And of course, some of it comes down to space. For instance, urban grocery stores in Germany simply don't have the physical capacity the way many American grocery shops do, allowing American shops to stock numerous brands and types of the same product.
Speaking of space, given that many people do get around without a car in German cities, you'll also have to keep in mind that not every German grocery store will have a parking lot or easy street parking if you're in a major city like Frankfurt or Hamburg.
At most major American grocery stores, your groceries generally get bagged for you as you check out. When you shop in Germany, be prepared for a bit of a workout: the checkers scan the items rapidly while you are in charge of bagging them up yourself, sometimes with a lengthy line of people behind you during busy times.
It's almost an art form, as shoppers have to be quick and strategic to prevent their groceries from piling up before the next customers starts scanning. The only other effective strategy is to try to shop for groceries during more obscure times of day — or grocery delivery.
Similar to the US, options in Germany are greater in larger urban areas than rural villages and towns. Most Germans do their grocery shopping at standard and discount grocery stores. In fact, some German discount grocery stores have achieved international success, so many Americans are familiar with Aldi and Lidl in particular. There are "mega" markets more comparable to bigger American supermarkets as well, such as Hit, V-Markt and Kaufland.
Organic and biodynamic groceries are very popular in Germany, so there are a number of organic grocery stores throughout the country, including some national chains. Certified organic products tend to be less expensive in Germany than in the US, although they still tend to have a higher price tag than non-organic products. Most cities and towns offer farmer's markets on a regular basis, where locals can get fresh produce, dairy and meat from nearby farms. Germany has a large Turkish community, and there are many Turkish grocers throughout the country. In urban centers you can also find other international grocery stores.
A unique German element are some long standing traditional department store grocery sections or gourmet grocery shops that are legendary in certain cities. These stores have been around for generations and tend to be quite expensive and exclusive. Some famous examples are Kadewe in Berlin and Kafer in Munich.
Many Americans who visit Germany are surprised to find that German grocery stores have more limited opening times than they are used to. For starters, throughout the country, almost all grocery stores are completely closed on Sundays. It's the same story on public holidays.
If you're absolutely stranded, most major cities will still have a few grocery stores that operate on Sundays at places like the main train station or the airport, and gas stations sell a number of basic goods, but for the most part your options will be very limited or non-existent.
For Americans who live in cities or towns where grocery stores are open till 10 p.m. or run 24 hours, don't expect to find that in Germany. Most German grocery stores close at 8 p.m., and small shops in rural areas close even earlier, such as 6 p.m. on weekdays and 1 p.m. on Saturdays.
