Germany is one of the countries we’ve chosen to zoom in on — and for good reason! Through X-Factored Youth, we’ve had the amazing opportunity to support young South Africans who’ve taken the leap to live, work, and grow in what’s seen as a First World country. Recently, we caught up with some of them to chat about something fun (and super relatable): shopping! Specifically, how German retail stores compare to the ones we know back home.
So, we decided to put together a quick rundown of what’s what — a side-by-side look at popular German outlets and their South African equivalents. Whether you’re living in Germany, planning to move there, or just curious, this guide will help you find familiar products, spot brands you recognize, and make sense of where to buy what.
Let’s dive in and see just how much these two shopping worlds have in common.
🧴 Health & Beauty / Pharmacy Retail
| Germany | South Africa | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| dm (Drogerie Markt) | Clicks | Both are large health & beauty retailers selling cosmetics, toiletries, vitamins, and some pharmacy items. |
| Rossmann | Dis-Chem | Similar to dm but with a slightly broader product range (baby goods, home cleaning, etc.) — comparable to Dis-Chem’s more “medical + lifestyle” positioning. |
| Müller | Clicks / Dis-Chem hybrid | Offers cosmetics, stationery, household items, and even toys — more like a mix of Clicks and a small department store. |
🛒 Supermarkets / Groceries
| Germany | South Africa | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Edeka | Woolworths Food / Pick n Pay | Mid–upper range supermarket with focus on fresh produce and quality. |
| Rewe | Pick n Pay / Checkers | Mid-range supermarket chain, similar product diversity. |
| Lidl | Shoprite / Boxer | Discount chain, minimalistic layout, focuses on affordability. |
| Aldi Süd / Aldi Nord | Shoprite / Checkers Hypersaver | Another discount retailer, often compared with Lidl. |
| Kaufland | Makro / Checkers Hyper | Large-format stores with groceries + household goods. |
🧥 General Retail / Department Stores
| Germany | South Africa | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Galeria (Karstadt/Kaufhof) | Edgars / Woolworths (Fashion) | Traditional department store for clothing, cosmetics, and home goods. |
| TK Maxx | Jet / Pep (with international brands) | Discount fashion and home goods retailer, though with higher-end brands. |
🏠 Home & Lifestyle
| Germany | South Africa | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| IKEA | @Home / Mr Price Home | Furniture and decor, though IKEA is more affordable and DIY-oriented. |
| OBI / Bauhaus / Hornbach | Builders Warehouse | DIY, hardware, and home improvement stores. |
Thanks to globalisation and the growing community of expats in both Germany and South Africa, it’s no surprise that these retailers share so many similarities — from how they serve their customers to the types of products they offer. The world is becoming more connected every day, and it’s pretty cool to see that even a quick shopping trip can remind us just how small (and familiar) our global village really is. 🌍🛍️
We encourage young South Africans to go out there and explore the world in any way, shape or form.
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