Supermarkets in Germany are struggling to fill positions at service counters for meat and cheese. Some retailers are increasing self-service options, while others are recruiting workers from abroad.
Germany’s major supermarket chains are facing significant staff shortages, particularly at service counters for meat, sausage, and cheese. Currently, Edeka is advertising around 4,600 open positions, while Rewe has more than 3,400 vacancies. Philipp Hennerkes, managing director of the Federal Association of the German Food Trade (BVLH), stated, “Butchers and meat sales specialists are particularly in demand,” adding that the lack of new talent has exacerbated the situation over recent years.
The overall retail sector is heavily impacted by the shortage of skilled workers. According to the German Retail Association (HDE), there are approximately 120,000 unfilled positions in the industry. This shortfall is particularly pronounced in supermarkets like Rewe, Edeka, and Kaufland, where service counters and customer advice are seen as key differentiators from discount stores.
Shift towards self-service counters
Due to staffing challenges, some Edeka stores in certain regions are turning to more flexible store designs that include self-service (SB) options. According to the “Lebensmittel Zeitung,” hybrid counters, which do not require staff during off-peak hours, are increasingly common. The BVLH confirmed the rise of these mixed formats.
Edeka, however, denied rumors that service counters would be eliminated altogether. A company spokesperson emphasized that these counters remain a core feature of their stores, noting that nearly all of Edeka’s approximately 7,000 markets have service counters for meat, sausage, or cheese.
Foreign recruitment and adaptations
To address the workforce shortage, some retailers are recruiting employees from abroad. Edeka Hieber, a major independent Edeka operator in Baden-Württemberg, has turned to India for trainees specifically for their meat counters. Karsten Pabst, CEO of Edeka Hieber, explained that the company is committed to expanding service counters but sees the value in complementing them with self-service options.
Similarly, Edeka Stadler and Honner, based in Bavaria, are increasing their self-service offerings. “It’s becoming increasingly difficult to staff the counters,” said CEO Daniel Honner. At a Munich location, the service counter was reduced from 24 to 7.5 meters, with the remaining space dedicated to self-service meat and sausage. Honner pointed out that this adjustment also caters to changing shopping behaviors. “In urban areas, younger customers, like 20-year-old students, shop differently compared to older, rural customers,” he said.
Service counters remain relevant for Rewe and Kaufland
At Rewe, service counters continue to play an essential role. The company stated that about 2,000 of its 3,800 stores feature service counters alongside self-service options. Digitalization in stores has enabled Rewe to allocate staff more effectively to customer service roles. Kaufland, another full-service retailer, is also actively seeking staff for its service counters. “Our customers highly value this offering. We provide service counters in most of our stores and will continue to do so,” a company spokesperson said, noting that pre-packaged products are also available for self-service alongside the counters.
