25 Shopping

Because of a strong tradition of German labor laws written to prevent abuse of workers, German stores have rather limited hours in comparison with those in the U.S. But opening hours are slowly changing in Germany.

Generally, stores in Baden-Württemberg close by 8 p.m. on workdays (Monday through Saturday). Outside the city center or in smaller towns, many stores close even earlier, typically at 6 p.m. on weekdays and at 1 or 2 p.m. on Saturdays. However, some grocery stores now stay open until 10 p.m. or even until midnight (Mo-Sat).

Some local and small shops even close during the lunch hour for one to two hours. Except for restaurants and a few pharmacies, bakeries, and flower shops, all businesses are closed on Sunday. Gas stations are open late in the evenings and during weekends, however, and larger ones are open 24/7 and carry a wide assortment of groceries and snacks. Predictably, the prices there are higher than in regular grocery stores. There is a grocery store in the basement of the Freiburg Hauptbahnhof where you can buy items from 5 a.m. to midnight each day, 7 days a week. A drugstore on the train station’s main level is also open 7 days a week.

When shopping for groceries, it is advisable to follow the German practice of taking along your own shopping bag, since practically all stores charge for bags. At grocery stores, you are often expected to weigh fruit and vegetables yourself and always expected to bag your own groceries at the checkout. You will receive information on grocery stores near the dorms during orientation.