Energy saving crisis: Shorter opening times in supermarkets?
Now Kaufland, Rewe and Aldi are commenting
Created: 10/06/2022 10:43 am
By: Miriam Haberhauer
Many retailers outside of Bavaria are open late into the night.
In order to save energy, the opening hours could be shortened.
Rewe, Aldi & Co. are now taking a stand.
Munich - Due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Germany will have to save energy in the coming winter.
Discounters and supermarkets are also encouraged to reduce their energy consumption.
Energy Saving Ordinance: Shorter opening times throughout Germany?
In August, the federal cabinet passed a corresponding energy saving ordinance, which has been in force since September 1st.
Among other things, the regulation stipulates that retailers should keep the doors of their shops closed and that monuments should no longer be illuminated.
Neon signs must also be switched off by 10 p.m. at the latest.
The managing director of the food company
Tegut
, Thomas Gutberlet, is also trying to save energy with his company.
The supermarket boss recently had a suggestion that polarized at least outside of Bavaria.
Gutberlet spoke to the
Lebensmittel Zeitung
in favor of reducing the opening hours: “In the short term, a reduction would help to save energy.
In the long term, it would make retail jobs more attractive again.”
Only in two federal states: Shops close at 8 p.m
In Bavaria, most retailers close at 8 p.m. anyway - both on weekends and on weekdays.
In large parts of Germany, however, opening hours until 10 p.m. are quite common.
In an interview with
echo24.de
, Aldi, Lidl, Rewe and Kaufland now commented on the proposal to reduce opening hours to 8 p.m. outside of the Free State as well.
Shop opening times in the German federal states
- Monday - Saturday 6 a.m. - 8 p.m.:
Bavaria, Saarland
- Monday - Saturday 6 a.m. - 10 p.m.:
Rhineland-Palatinate, Saxony
- Monday - Saturday 0 a.m. to midnight:
Baden-Württemberg, Berlin, Brandenburg, Bremen, Hamburg, Hesse, Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, Schleswig-Holstein
- Monday - Friday 0 a.m. to midnight, Saturday 0 a.m. to 8 p.m.:
Saxony-Anhalt, Thuringia
- Monday - Friday 0 a.m. to midnight, Saturday 0 a.m. to 10 p.m
.: Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania
Customers have to freeze: Aldi lowers temperatures further than required
When asked about reduced opening hours, discounter giant Aldi refers to customer needs: "We only offer longer opening hours until 9 p.m. in branches where consumers need it," a spokesman told
echo24.de
.
In most branches in the Federal Republic, however, it closes at 8 p.m.
However, the company explained that it wanted to lower the inside temperature to the extent that it is actually only intended for public buildings.
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According to its own statement, competitor Kaufland would also like to be guided by customer wishes.
Their demand is ultimately decisive for how long the supermarket has opened its doors.
"Basically, the majority of our German branches are open from Monday to Saturday from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.," said a spokesman.
“Customer expectations in the foreground”: Kaufland sticks to its opening times
At the moment, however, Kaufland is not planning to shorten its opening hours, as the company announced: “The expectations of our customers [are] in the foreground.
The long opening times are particularly beneficial for working people.
There are currently no plans to shorten our opening hours.” However, Kaufland emphasized: “Energy efficiency is a key issue for Kaufland and an important part of our climate strategy.”
Competitor Rewe also spoke out clearly against
echo24.de
against such a reduction.
Discounter Lidl has so far not wanted to comment on the subject when asked.
Questionable signage on the internet caused a sensation at the supermarket giant Kaufland.