Suche
Mein Konto
Bückeburger Unverpackt-Laden defies the crisis: This is how success is achieved!
Schaumburg: A look at the challenges and successes of unpackaged stores in Bückeburg 2025, which remain despite the crisis.
Bückeburger Unverpackt-Laden defies the crisis: This is how success is achieved!
In the midst of a challenging time for the unpackaged industry in Germany, a small shop in Bückeburg is bravely holding its own against the difficulties. The owner, Detlef Rieger, has managed to draw a positive conclusion since opening his shop in the summer of 2020, despite adverse circumstances. The industry as a whole has seen a dramatic decline since the Corona restrictions, the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine and high inflation: While there were 340 members of the Unverpackt e.V. professional association in 2022, there will only be 169 by May 2025.
“I am satisfied with my sales and profits,” says Rieger about his current situation. Although the purchasing power of many customers is suffering, his restaurant is a real place for fans of sustainable food. His store's café operation obviously benefits from the high demand for coffee, which helps keep sales stable. Rieger cleverly designed a business plan to set sales targets, even if food and energy prices have risen significantly in the meantime.
Café and unpackaged retail on the rise
The development has been particularly positive since 2023. During this time, sales and profits rise above the initial values. The success of the Bückeburger Unverpackt store is primarily due to its central location, the large selection of products and an individual concept that invites you to linger, both in its offering and in its cozy vintage style.
“You have to offer a lot more than just unpackaged goods,” says Rieger. This becomes clear when you consider that three unpackaged stores in Hameln have already had to close; the competition in the area is fierce. Rieger sees the key factors for his success in the unique combination of offers and a clear position in times of crisis. It is not enough to simply pursue the “unpackaged” concept.
Price adjustments and market developments
An additional problem remains the need to adjust prices regularly, which increases pressure on business operations. In Octavia in particular, such as coffee, purchasing prices rise every six months or by 5-10%. However, the café operation accounts for around half of sales and provides the necessary stability in challenging times.
The current situation clearly demonstrates how things can work even in an industry that is under pressure. Detlef Rieger has met the challenges with a good hand and continues to allow his store to flourish - a positive sign in a time of crisis for unpackaged stores and the food industry as a whole.