Germans love to shop.

"The mall," however, is not nearly as well-developed in Germany. But more and more of them have been opening over the last couple of years, including a variety of "Outlet Malls”.

There are also the "hyper-stores" such as Real, Kaufland and Globus Handelshof which offer a wide range of products including groceries, household goods, beverages, pet supplies, clothing etc. These hyper-stores are housed within shopping centers and often coupled with a few other large specialty stores (Think Walmart Supercenter or Super Target.)

Then there are the German "discounters" such as Aldi and Lidl, which specialize in groceries and a weekly rotation of “other” items.

Aldi

Karl & Theo Albrecht – brothers Took over their mother’s grocery store in 1948

+ Store was originally known as Albrecht’s Discount, or ALDI for short – they officially changed the name in 1961 when they separated into two branches, Nord und Süd

Markstraßen

Most mid to large-size towns have what are known as 'Marktstraßen' or market streets. Typically pedestrian only zones with stores running

on either side of the street Good public transportation systems make it less

necessary to shop by car, and many cities have revamped their downtown shopping areas and made them pleasant places to stroll and shop.

Outdoor cafés, sidewalk musicians, benches, fountains, trees and shrubbery, and weekly fruit, flower and vegetable market stands

Specialization

Once you get away from the department stores and discounters, you’ll find many small shops that specialize in various items: fashions, china, glassware, leather goods, shoes, toys, musical instruments, books, flowers, spices, tobacco products, antiques, candles…

These “niche” shops, however, are often forced to charge higher prices to stay competitive. Specialization is particularly noticeable in food stores. The Metzgerei, Bäckerei, and Konditorei (pastry shop) are

run by masters of their profession. The product is good and these places are often set up so that you can enjoy a fresh roll, hot sausage or piece of cake right on the premises.

Another very special kind of food store is the Reformhaus (health food store), where the health-conscious Germans get their organic yogurt, whole grain breads, tofu and vitamins.

Opening hours are now much more liberal, but are often still around 8 or 9am, and most stores close by 8 or 9pm Monday to Saturday and are generally closed on Sundays and holidays.

Käthe Wohlfahrt

Käthe Wohlfahrt - the World Famous Christmas Store

“With some 30,000 individual items from which to choose, ranging from small to giant pyramids, glass and metal bulb decorations, birds and flowers, intricately hand-carved figures and rare collectors' items, Käthe Wohlfahrt is the premier place to shop for Christmas decorations and other specialties.”

There are several shops in Germany. They can be found in Heidelberg, Rüdesheim (by Wiesbaden), Nürnberg, Bamberg, Oberammergau (2 locations) and Garmisch-Partenkirchen. There are also shops in Bruges, Belgium and Riquewihr, France. And, of course, there is the main outlet and headquarters in Rothenburg ob der Tauber in Germany.

And of course, you can now shop online wohlfahrt

Some of the specialty gift items available are the Rothenburg-Workshop-Studios' Holzknackl® Nutcrackers, Holzknoddl® "Smoking men," Glass- and Pewter items, and Rothenburger Butzl® carved wooden figurines. The latter are easily identified by their round features, faces and tummies.

German Christmas Markets

German Christmas Markets

German-style Christmas markets are no longer found just in Germany. They are being held in the USA in Denver, Chicago,

Baltimore, New York, Cincinnati, Philadelphia and several other cities big and small.

Christmas markets usually take place from the end of November to a day or two days before Christmas.

The stands often feature handcrafted items, ceramics and wooden items.

Entertainment can include choral productions or instrumental recitals often from a balcony overlooking the scene.

Food and drink take account of the fact that these markets, contrary to all logic, are held outdoors in the middle of winter. It leans to roasted chestnuts, hot sausages and hot spiced wine.

www.germany-tourism.de/ENG/culture_and_events/christmas_markets.htm.