Hamster purchases, rushes to shops, additional protective measures: supermarket employees and retailers are currently under massive pressure. Easter week in particular will be a challenge. According to Christian Böttcher, spokesman for the Federal Association of the German Food Trade (BVLH), Easter after Christmas is one of the most important festivals for the Germans. Traditionally, a lot of shopping was done beforehand. In addition, this year there is also the fact that all other shops are currently closed and many may therefore look for Easter gifts in supermarkets.
The discounters, supermarkets and drugstores have to prepare for the Easter rush. Will they change the opening times for this? What can you take into account yourself to avoid long lines, relieve the staff and ensure smooth processes?
Aldi north
In a press release, discounter Aldi Nord announced that there would be no change in the opening hours on Easter holidays, instead the branches of the discounter would be open at regular times.
"It is very important to us that our employees come to rest during the upcoming holidays, relax and spend as much time as possible in the closest family and with their partners. This is what their focus should be on these days," explains spokesman Nicolás de Lope .
Aldi south
The discounter Aldi Süd plans to extend opening hours on Holy Thursday and Holy Saturday across the board. Therefore, branches open at 7 a.m. This is to avoid long queues and ensure that as few customers as possible stay in a branch at the same time. On the public holidays, however, the branches remain closed as usual.
Rewe and Penny
The Rewe Group, which also includes the discounter Penny, is not planning any changed opening hours for the upcoming Easter weekend. Lionel Souque, CEO of the Rewe Group, explains: "For the upcoming Easter, people can rely on us at Rewe and Penny to help them and ensure the best possible food supply." Souque also asks customers to do part of their Easter purchases as good as possible in the days before in order to relieve branches on Holy Thursday and Holy Saturday.
Lidl
The discounter Lidl does not plan any changed opening hours for the Easter holidays, according to a spokeswoman. Lidl stated in a press release that keeping a distance between customers is guaranteed in the stores by providing a shopping cart.
Edeka
Edeka also does not plan to change opening hours for its supermarkets. The company appeals to its customers to distribute the Easter purchases as far as possible and to make them early within the week before. Likewise, the distance of at least 1.5 meters from other customers and employees should be maintained and, if possible, bought alone.
dm
A spokesman for the drugstore dm explained: "We are currently experiencing (…) an exceptional situation that can lead to occasional dm stores not being open temporarily or having different opening times." The current business hours of all branches are available on the website dm.de.
Rossmann
The Rossmann drugstore chain is currently not planning any special opening times for the Easter holidays, according to the website www.rossmann.de, all stores are still open regularly.
Shopping done right for the Easter holidays
To avoid long lines in and in front of the markets and to avoid peak times, customers can do a lot themselves. Christian Böttcher from the Federal Association of German Food Trade explains: "You should think about what you need for the holidays at an early stage, plan your purchases well and use both the wide opening hours and all shopping days of the week." Careful purchasing planning is particularly important in the Corona crisis.
In addition, one should not forget that hamster purchases are not necessary now – rather plan carefully in advance what exactly is needed. The supermarkets finally reopen on Tuesday after Easter.