Green Party Faction Wants Price Comparison App for Groceries - Germany’s Green Party pushes grocery price comparison app to challenge supermarket giants
The Green Party in Germany’s Bundestag has proposed a new app to help shoppers find the cheapest groceries. The tool would require major supermarket chains like Edeka, Schwarz Gruppe (which owns Lidl and Kaufland), Rewe, and Aldi (both Nord and Süd) to report prices in real time, giving consumers instant access to cost comparisons. Smaller stores could also take part on a voluntary basis.
The proposal targets the four largest retailers dominating Germany’s food market. These chains would be legally required to update prices live, while independent shops could opt in. Currently, consumers rely on shelf labels for price checks, but the Greens argue an app would simplify the process.
Beyond price transparency, the party wants stricter rules to protect farmers. One measure would ban supermarkets from buying products below production costs, preventing unfair competition. Another push involves clearer warnings on packaging when product sizes shrink—a practice known as 'shrinkflation'. The Greens also aim to limit the expansion of grocery giants, claiming their dominance harms smaller businesses. The app forms part of a broader effort to reduce supermarket profit margins during economic downturns by empowering consumers with better information.
If implemented, the app would force major chains to share real-time pricing data. Consumers could then compare costs more easily, while farmers and small retailers might gain better protections. The proposal now faces debate in the Bundestag before any potential adoption.
