Shopping in Germany – A Whole New Trolley Ride
New country, new customs, and even your weekly grocery run feels like an Olympic event? You’re not alone. Shopping in Germany can seem intimidating at first, but once you learn the rhythm, it becomes part of the dance of everyday life here. From super-speedy tills to surprisingly helpful shoe store staff, shopping here may not be what you’re used to – but it brings its own charm and flow.
Specialty and clothing shops in Germany often offer a surprising amount of personal service. A shop assistant might approach you with a polite “Kann ich Ihnen helfen?” (“Can I help you?”) – and if you say yes, they’ll genuinely make the effort. Whether it’s helping you pick out the perfect outfit for a wedding or advising on which jacket fits your style, this tailored approach is something to appreciate.
In some clothing stores, they’ll even suggest entire outfits or wardrobe combinations. It can feel like having a personal stylist, especially in mid- to higher-end boutiques.
In shoe stores, expect a bit of a ritual at checkout. After trying on your shoes and deciding on a pair, the salesperson might ask, “Möchten Sie den Karton behalten?” (“Would you like to keep the box?”). They’ll also check if you’ve brought a bag – “Haben Sie eine Tüte dabei?” If you did, just say “Ja, ich habe eine dabei, danke.”
It’s a small exchange, but these little phrases help build your confidence and show you’re picking up the cultural cues.
We’ve created a page dedicated to helping you find the best places to shop for clothes. Whether you’re looking for trendy boutiques, affordable department stores, or high-end designer labels, we’ve got you covered.
We also have a detailed page specifically dedicated to clothing sizes for women.
Finding Baby Clothes in Germany — From Newborn Snuggles to Toddler Adventures Buying baby clothes in Germany can feel a little like stepping into a new world — one filled with centimetre-based sizes, wool-overall obsessions, and newborn outfits so cute they could melt a frosty Bavarian morning. For South Africans
We understand how difficult it can be to find the perfect shop where you can buy new clothes. That’s why we took the initiative to put together a comprehensive list of shops that we believe could be helpful in your search. If there are shops that you believe should be included
Woman’s Clothing The following table is a rough guide for Woman’s clothing. Most online shops will have a measurement guide, but even then it might not fit as expected. Shoes This is not a precise conversion, but a rough indication. This for men’s and women’s shoe sizes Vocabulary English German Bra
Grocery shopping – the true test of nerves for many expats. In South Africa, the checkout process is often calm and cushioned with the luxury of a packer at the till, sometimes even with a friendly chat. You could pay your electricity bill, top up airtime, and leave with your groceries neatly bagged.
In Germany? Strap in. There are no packers. The cashiers scan your items with Formula 1 precision, and you’re expected to keep up. Blink, and your avocados are halfway down the conveyor belt. And don’t even think about asking for a plastic bag – you’ll likely get a raised eyebrow and a pointed glance toward the reusable bags you should have brought.
The smart move is to pack straight into your trolley as things are scanned, then take your time bagging at one of the packing counters nearby. It’s less social, more survival – but it becomes second nature over time.
Checkout 2.0: Payment & Self-Service
Gone are the days when Germany was strictly cash-only. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, many stores now accept debit cards (EC-Karte), and mobile payment options like Apple Pay or Google Pay have become more common, though not universal. Credit cards, however, are still hit-or-miss, especially in smaller shops or bakeries, so always keep some cash handy.
Some chains like Rewe and dm now offer self-checkout lanes. They’re fast, convenient, and ideal when you’ve only got a few items. The system relies on weighing the items before and after scanning, so it’s best used when you’re not doing a big shop.
Grocery Shopping in Germany Made Simple Stepping into a German supermarket for the first time can feel overwhelming. The store layout is unfamiliar, your go-to brands might be missing, and figuring out what to call plastic wrap in German can be challenging. This guide is here to help! We’ve gathered
One bed, two duvets? Welcome to Germany, where personal space and practicality meet even under the covers. From unfamiliar bed sizes and square pillows to the national tradition of sleeping under your own blanket—even when sharing a bed—German bedding customs can feel a bit foreign at first. But once you adjust, you might just wonder why we ever did it differently. In this section, we unravel the mysteries of mattresses, decode duvet etiquette, and help you navigate the bedding aisles with confidence (and the right measurements in mind).
Beds, Mattresses and Duvets The sleeping arrangements in Germany are a bit different from what we are used to in South Africa. The average German couple sleeps on a bed base with two single mattresses, and each with their own duvet.Some would argue for this, but I would at least
Missing Builders Warehouse, Woolies, or Pick n Pay? Don’t worry—you’re not alone. One of the small victories of settling into life in Germany is cracking the code on where to find the things you used to buy back home. While the names may be different, many German shops offer similar products and experiences—once you know where to look. Whether you’re hunting for hardware, craving quality groceries, or just looking for affordable home goods, this section matches your South African go-tos with their German counterparts, helping you shop smarter and feel a little more at home.
Back home, you know exactly in what shop to look for specific items, where to find quality products and what shops have cheaper options.We tried to make a comparison of SA and German shops in the list below. You welcome to send us your suggestions via or Contact us page Related
Whether you’re trying to bake a milk tart and can’t find condensed milk, or just hunting down cling wrap that isn’t industrial strength, shopping in Germany can feel like a scavenger hunt. Many everyday South African products—both in the kitchen and around the house—either go by completely different names, look unfamiliar, or simply don’t exist here. But don’t worry, the pages below are packed with clever swaps and local alternatives to help you recreate your favourite recipes and restock your home without losing your marbles (or your meal plan).
Substitutes and Food Info Finding familiar South African flavours in Germany can sometimes feel like a culinary treasure hunt. Luckily, many of our favourite products are now just a click away.And when that one special ingredient seems impossible to find—don’t fret. Germany offers plenty of excellent substitutes that work beautifully
Product Substitutes Most products we know in South Africa are available in Germany, but unfortunately not all of them. Here is a list of product substitutes for some of them. I you would like more information about where to buy South African products in Germany, see our Products we love page. Food
| English | German |
|---|---|
| No, thank you. I am just looking | Nein danke, ich schaue mich nur um. |
| Where are the changing rooms? | Wo sind die Umkleidekabinen? |
| Can I try it on? | Kann ich es anprobieren? |
| I’ll take it | Ich nehme es. |
| How much does it cost? | Wieviel kostet es? |
| Do you need a bag? | Brauchen Sie eine Tüte? |
| Do you want a receipt? | Möchten Sie einen Beleg? |
| I brought my own bag | Ich habe eine dabei. |
| Special offer | das Sonderangebot |
| Sale | der Ausverkauf |
| Shopping basket | der Einkaufskorb |
| Shopping trolley | der Einkaufswagen |
| To pay | bezahlen |
| Bakery | die Bäckerei |
| Butcher | die Fleischerei / die Metzgerei |
| Sweet shop | der Süßwarenladen |
| Chemist / Pharmacy | die Apotheke |
| Supermarket | der Supermarkt |
| Department store | das Kaufhaus |
| Till / Checkout | die Kasse |
| The price | der Preis |
| Bag | die Tasche |
For more, have a look at this page
One thing to avoid at all costs? Using a shop’s personal advice or fitting room just to go home and order the item online for a few euros less. This is considered extremely rude and unfair to the salesperson who took the time to assist you. In Germany, relationships with local businesses are built on mutual respect and a bit of old-school honour.
Shopping in Germany might start as a steep learning curve, but soon you’ll know which shops sell what, where to get the best deals, and how to breeze through checkout like a local. It’s all part of settling in, finding your flow, and discovering the everyday rhythms of your new home. So, bring your bags, flex those German phrases, and take it one shopping trip at a time. You’ve got this.
We have a great selection of gift ideas for your loved ones in South Africa, and I thought it would be great to also have a list of places you can shop for your loved ones here in Germany. Most shops will accept South African credit cards, so you just need to have the correct address to surprise someone with a wonderful gift. South African products On top of most people’s lists are products from
Ask a Pharmacist A few pharmacists with South African backgrounds, now practicing in Germany, have kindly offered to assist our community. They can help by answering questions and providing guidance on possible substitutes for familiar South African pharmaceutical products. ⚠️ Important Disclaimer Always consult a qualified doctor or pharmacist before taking any medication. The information provided here is for general guidance only and should never replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please note: The
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