July has some changes in store for the supermarket again. In addition to many new services, trade experts believe further price adjustments are possible. FOCUS Online says what is changing. There is also an important innovation in the mask requirement.
From July 1, consumers can also dispose of their broken small appliances in the supermarket. At the same time, the new deposit rule is officially taking effect and there is also a risk that prices will be adjusted again.
Shaver or electric toothbrush broken? Then off to Aldi or Edeka.
From July 1, it will be much easier for consumers in Germany to properly dispose of used electronic devices. Because then supermarkets and discounters will also have to accept discarded kettles, shavers or smartphones – regardless of whether they were bought from them or not.
This is particularly practical and helpful. Municipal recycling centers are often remote, difficult to reach and have short opening times. With the connection of supermarkets and discounters to the recycling network for electronic devices, 25,000 additional return points for old electronic devices will be created overnight, emphasized the Federal Environment Agency.
For small old electrical appliances, the return is mandatory, regardless of whether you buy a new appliance. This applies to larger old devices when purchasing a corresponding new device.
FOCUS Online advises: If you want to get rid of large devices and buy new ones at the same time, you should get them in electronics stores or online. In most cases, the old devices will be dismantled, picked up and disposed of free of charge upon delivery.
“From July 1, 2022, our customers can hand in electrical appliances in our stores,” promises supermarket giant Edeka on request. Competitor Rewe even revealed how this should look in concrete terms in its stores: “Customers simply report to the cash register, and then it is checked whether the device is worth taking back.” The devices would then be disposed of properly. According to the information, the same also applies to Netto Marken-Discount and Penny, the discount subsidiaries of the two retail giants.
Aldi also promises a “simple and uncomplicated return of old electrical and electronic equipment” in all markets in Germany, as does Lidl. There, customers should hand in the old devices at the checkout. “This corresponds to the practice learned by the customer of exchanging goods or returning them under our guarantee scheme,” emphasized the discounter.
In view of the increasing number of corona cases, the first supermarkets have issued a mask recommendation for supermarket employees. Internal letters are available to our editorial team. According to this, a Netto-Marken-Discount branch in southern Bavaria recommends that employees at the checkout and in the sales room wear a mask to protect themselves from a possible infection. In a Munich branch there is even an FFP2 obligation for cashiers.
At the beginning of June, many supermarkets and discounters had removed all protective measures such as disinfectants, distance instructions and plexiglass panes at the checkout. The first Rewe and Edeka branches are at least bringing back the protective measures at the checkout.
Consumers may be more likely to encounter supermarket workers wearing masks. Wearing a mouth and nose protector is currently recommended by the Federal Ministry of Health and not mandatory. Nevertheless, a mask requirement could soon apply. According to the Robert Koch Institute, the number of corona cases in Germany is currently at a 7-day incidence of 686 per 100,000 inhabitants.
A transitional rule ends on July 1, 2022. Then almost all beverage packaging is subject to a deposit. In particular, juice, fruit, vegetable, coffee or mixed drinks from the can then cost an additional 25 cent PET deposit. Larger manufacturers had already made the change on January 1st. Smaller manufacturers use the transition phase.
What changes? Many fruit and vegetable juices, apple wines or mixed drinks with alcohol at Aldi Süd, Aldi Nord, Lidl, Rewe, Edeka, Hit or Kaufland were not previously affected by this one-way regulation. From July 1st, all manufacturers must demand a deposit for the cans or plastic bottles. An exception still applies to dairy products.
In the current inflation phase, prices in supermarkets change almost weekly. In the previous week, yoghurt products, cheese, meat, juices and ketchup had become more expensive. In the current week, price adjustments are expected for grilled goods, mustard, chocolate, breakfast cereals and spreads.
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