Shopping in Germany, "it's not really worth it anymore"

• Do cross-border commuters still go to Germany to do their shopping?

  We asked the question to our readers.

  And the answer is pretty clear: much less.

• "Now, I find that the prices have really increased, which is why I no longer travel to Germany but to Strasbourg", confides one of our readers.

• Others still go there and, above all, indicate that there are still great deals to be had.

“Sprechen Sie Deutsch?

This is a question that many French people no longer hear when going to the checkout across the Rhine.

The majority of

readers who responded to our call for testimonials assure us that shopping in Germany is no longer their habit.

"It's not really worth it anymore," confirms Sandrine.

“It has become very expensive, even when there are promotions.

While it was very advantageous when the VAT had been lowered by one point at the exit of the Covid (from July 1 to December 31 precisely).

Then it really increased since.

»

Inflation has also been there.

Even more violently than in France: it flirts with 10% over one year, against around 6%.

Something to cool many homes, especially given the current price of fuel... which can also be found at more competitive prices in Alsace or Moselle.

“Since the beginning of the year with my family, we no longer go there specifically”, supports Agathe.

"I meet a lot of Germans in the supermarkets here"

“Usually I would go to Kehl to do my shopping on Saturdays.

Now, I find that the prices have really increased, which is why I no longer travel to Germany but to Strasbourg, ”also writes Ezgi, even assuring… that the border movements have been reversed!

“I meet a lot of Germans in the supermarkets here who say the same thing: it's cheaper in France.

»

On our Facebook page, other readers say they have observed this reversal of roles, unthinkable yesterday.

When Alsatians or Mosellens rushed to Baden-Württemberg, Saarland or the Palatinate to fill up, look for tobacco or buy hygiene products… A reflex that has not completely disappeared.

For cigarettes, shower gels, toilet paper and others, many still cross the Rhine.

"This remains very advantageous for hygienic and non-food products, but less and less for food products", confirms Nicolas, joined by the same Agathe who cites "food supplements or parapharmaceutical products found in drugstores such as DM ".

“Food products are more affordable in France than in Germany and the choice is much greater.

It is still interesting to go there for children's diapers and all the other childcare products as well as beauty, hygiene and maintenance products", summarizes Ralid, who will not be able to convince Mégane, always happy to "get some German air!"

»

More generally, most readers clearly indicate that each side of the border has advantages.

“As I live to the west of Strasbourg, I usually cross the Pont de l'Europe on weekends to do some shopping.

Spending an hour round trip is nothing if I can save at least 20% of my budget.

However, I prefer to buy dairy products, meat only in France, but it's a matter of taste,” explains Arsenii.

“The German baguette, in addition to having always been expensive, is inedible.

And regarding beer and cheese, we cannot compare because we prefer the much better quality in France”, adds Sophie.

"Now the races last longer, you have to compare like at home, because the bill can also be steep," concludes Patrick.

Economy

Restaurant tickets: The daily ceiling goes from 19 to 25 euros on October 1

Economy

Inflation slows in September to 5.6%, according to a provisional estimate

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