Decoding German Retail

How global brands win in European trade. Starting with Germany's toughest market. What does it really take to get your product listed in German grocery retail? And what can the German market teach you about winning across Europe? The German grocery market is worth over 250 billion euros, controlled by five retail groups, and governed by unwritten rules that most international brands never learn — until it's too late. Decoding German Retail is hosted by Jan Wapelhorst, former buying director at EDEKA, REWE, and Lidl. After 16 years on the other side of the table, he now helps international food manufacturers navigate the complexities of German retail — from Category Management and listing negotiations to pricing architecture and trade spend. Each episode decodes one specific mechanism of the German market. No theory, no fluff — just the insider perspective that buyers never share openly. Whether you're plan