Shop 'til you drop, German-style

Germans love to shop. In fact, you might say it's a national pastime, which is a good thing because it makes finding anything you need easy. "The mall," however, which you may be used to, is not nearly as well-developed in Germany. But more and more of them have been opening over the last couple of years, including a variety of "Outlet Malls". You can find a number of "Big Box" stores in many city suburbs, and even in some city centers. Hela Baumarkt and Hornbach, for example, are do-it-yourself stores. MediaMarkt andSaturn, on the other hand, offer appliances, home electronics, music and video as well as computers and telephones. Ikea and Moebel Martin have their own outlets. There are also the "hyper-stores" such as Real, Kaufland and Globus Handelshof which offer a wide range of products including groceries, household goods, beverages, pet supplies, clothing etc. These hyper-stores are housed within shopping centers and often coupled with a few other large specialty stores. Then there are the German "discounters" such as Aldi and Lidl, which enjoy an almost cult following and specialize in groceries and a weekly rotation of items ranging from textiles to toys or office supplies at unbeatable prices. Mid to large-size towns all have their classic 'Marktstrassen' or market streets, often charming pedestrian zones with stores running on either side of the street. Good public transportation systems make it less necessary to shop by car, and many cities have revamped their downtown shopping areas and made them pleasant places to stroll and shop. Outdoor cafs, sidewalk musicians, benches, fountains, trees and shrubbery, weekly fruit, flower and vegetable market stands, make shopping a very pleasant experience. Changes in the law and the rise of discount stores have led to some refreshing price reductions, especially in food stores. Once you get away from the department stores and discounters, though, specialization is the name of the game. Many small shops offer a wide selection of items within a limited product line, such as fashions, china, glassware, leather goods, fine metalware, shoes, handicrafts, toys, electrical goods, musical instruments, optical instruments, books, flowers, spices, oriental carpets, sports equipment, tobacco products, antiques, candles, maps to name just a few. These niche shops, however, are often forced to charge higher prices to stay competitive. Specialization is particularly noticeable in food stores. The Metzgerei (butcher), Backerei(bakery) and Konditorei (pastry shop) are run by masters of their profession. The product is good and these places are often set up so that you can enjoy a fresh roll, hot sausage or piece of cake right on the premises. Another very special kind of food store is the Reformhaus(health food store), where the health-conscious Germans get their organic yogurt, whole grain breads, tofu and vitamins.

(Probably) First shopping centre: Europa Center, Berlin

The Europa Centre was completed in 1965, part of it consists of a 22 story tower block, but the place to head for is the 90,000 square metre shopping complex. Outside the main entrance is a popular meeting place which is called the water ball and is a hemispherical granite fountain. Its a combination of places with lots of bars, pubs, all kinds of shops, and restaurants. It is a good centrally located place that is immediate to recognize. A lot of people hang out in this area because you can see and be seen. A great place to arrange for a night out in a popular Berlin area. The train stations nearby are convenient, movie theatre if you want to do something, have some eats and drinks.

Largest mall: CentrO, Oberhausen

Here are a few impressions of the largest mall in Germany, called `Centro` in Oberhausen (Ruhrarea). It attracts millions of people, from Germany and the Netherlands, due to its location near The Netherlands. Often considered as the largest in Europe. It is often claimed that CentrO is the largest shopping mall on the continent, but at approximately 70,000 m, it is not even the largest in the region. CentrO is however notable because it signifies the transformation of Oberhausen from an industry-based to a services-based economy and has become a role model for other German cities.

City centers
The heart and soul of a German town lies in its city center: The downtown pedestrian zone, a car-free shopping street lined on both sides with shops and department stores. Probably the liveliest place on a Saturday in Germany, a stroll down a shopping street means much more than merely buying things: Dotted with cafes, ice cream parlors, and restaurants, churches, theatres, and old town squares, German shopping streets are a great taste of German life.

1. Cologne's Shopping Street: The Schildergasse 2. Munich's Shopping Streets: Kaufinger - and Sendlingerstrae 3. Frankfurt's Shopping Street: Zeil 4. Dsseldorf's Shopping Street: Knigsallee 5. Hamburg's Shopping Street: "M" 6. Berlin's Shopping Street: Ku'damm

Name of Mall

City / Location

State / County

Size GLA m2

Schwarzwald Baar Center

Villingen-Schwenningen Baden-Wrttemberg

33000

Knigsbau Passagen

Stuttgart

Baden-Wrttemberg

27000

Leo Center

Leonberg

Baden-Wrttemberg

27000

City Rondell

VS-Schwenningen

Baden-Wrttemberg

25000

Rhein Center

Weil am Rhein

Baden-Wrttemberg

30000

Hockenheim Center

Hockenheim

Baden-Wrttemberg

30000

Ettlinger Tor

Karlsruhe

Baden-Wrttemberg

33000

Das Dick

Esslingen

Baden-Wrttemberg

22000

City Galerie

Augsburg

Bayern

25000

Naabtalcenter (Nac)

Burglengenfeld

Bayern

22500

Kwe Einkaufszentrum

Regensburg

Bayern

25000

Name of Mall

City / Location

State / County

Size GLA m2

Riem Arcaden

Mnchen

Bayern

46500

Hallertauer Einkaufs Zentrum

Wolnzach

Bayern

25000

Brcken Center

Ansbach

Bayern

40000

Huma Einkaufspark

Schwabach

Bayern

35000

Forum Steglitz

Berlin

Berlin

25000

Alexa

Berlin

Berlin

43000

Linden Center

Berlin

Berlin

27500

Gesundbrunnen Center

Berlin

Berlin

25000

Gropius Passagen

Berlin

Berlin

60000

Forum Kpenick

Berlin

Berlin

35000

Schnhauser Allee Arcaden

Berlin

Berlin

25000

Ring Center

Berlin

Berlin

35000

Park Center Treptow

Berlin

Berlin

27000

Hallen Am Borsigturm

Berlin

Berlin

35000

Name of Mall

City / Location

State / County

Size GLA m2

Tegel Center

Berlin

Berlin

25000

Europa Center

Berlin

Berlin

27500

Kurfrstendamm Karree

Berlin

Berlin

25000

Potsdamer Platz Arcaden

Berlin

Berlin

35000

Mggel Park

Gosen

Brandenburg

30000

Beetzsee Center

Brandenburg

Brandenburg

37500

Spitzkrug Multi Center

Frankfurt (Oder)

Brandenburg

47500

Elster Center

Elsterwerda

Brandenburg

45000

Sdring Center

Gro-Machnow

Brandenburg

50000

Lausitz Park

Cottbus

Brandenburg

50000

Reiz Ruppiner EKZ

Neuruppin

Brandenburg

25000

Handelszentrum

Strausberg

Brandenburg

20000

Brandenburger Einkaufszentrum Wust

Brandenburg

24000

A10 Center

Wildau

Brandenburg

125000

Name of Mall

City / Location

State / County

Size GLA m2

Stern Center Drewitz

Potsdam

Brandenburg

35000

Potsdamer Bahnhofspassagen

Potsdam

Brandenburg

20000

Kaufpark

Eiche

Brandenburg

41500

City Center

Eisenhttenstadt

Brandenburg

30000

Outlet Center Eichstdt

Eichsstdt

Brandenburg

22500

Waterfront

Bremen

Bremen

50000

Roland Center

Bremen

Bremen

25000

Weserpark

Bremen

Bremen

95000

Walle Center

Bremen

Bremen

20000

Hansa Carr

Bremen

Bremen

20000

Billsted Center

Hamburg

Hamburg

40000

Einkaufs Treffpunkt Farmsen

Hamburg

Hamburg

25000

Mercado

Hamburg

Hamburg

20000

Elbe Einkaufszentrum

Hamburg

Hamburg

30000

Name of Mall

City / Location

State / County

Size GLA m2

Einkaufszentrum Quarree Wandsbek Markt

Hamburg

Hamburg

25000

Einkaufszentrum Hamburger Strae

Hamburg

Hamburg

50000

Hamburger Strae

Hamburg

Hamburg

45000

Alstertal (AEZ)

Hamburg

Hamburg

45000

Rhein Main Center

Rsselsheim

Hessen

32500

Isenburg Zentrum

Neu-Isenburg

Hessen

38000

DEZ Kassel

Kassel

Hessen

25000

City Point

Kassel

Hessen

22000

Nordwest Zentrum

Frankfurt/Main

Hessen

51000

Hessen Center

Frankfurt/Main

Hessen

35000

Strelapark

Stralsund

Mecklenburg-Vorpommern 27500

Ostsee Park

Rostock-Sievershagen

Mecklenburg-Vorpommern 52000

Schlosspark Center

Schwerin

Mecklenburg-Vorpommern 21000

Bethanien Center

Neubrandenburg

Mecklenburg-Vorpommern 45000

Name of Mall

City / Location

State / County

Size GLA m2

Sieben Seen Center

Schwerin

Mecklenburg-Vorpommern 35000

Warnow Park

Rostock

Mecklenburg-Vorpommern 20000

Hanse Center Bentwisch

Bentwisch

Mecklenburg-Vorpommern 50000

Ems Center

Papenburg

Niedersachsen

20000

Ems Park

Leer

Niedersachsen

20000

Leine Einkaufszentrum

Laatzen

Niedersachsen

27500

Nord West Zentrum

Garbsen

Niedersachsen

20000

Shopping Plaza

Garbsen

Niedersachsen

20000

Famila Center

Oldenburg

Niedersachsen

32500

Carolinenhof

Aurich

Niedersachsen

20000

Linden-Park Hannover

Hannover

Niedersachsen

35000

Promenade im Hauptbahnhof

Hannover

Niedersachsen

25000

Nordseepassage

Wilhelmshaven

Niedersachsen

25000

City Galerie

Wolfsburg

Niedersachsen

20000

Name of Mall

City / Location

State / County

Size GLA m2

Bero Zentrum

Oberhausen

Nordrhein-Westfalen

27500

Centro

Oberhausen

Nordrhein-Westfalen

70000

Rodenberg Center

Dortmund

Nordrhein-Westfalen

25000

Thier Galerie

Dortmund

Nordrhein-Westfalen

34000

Mercator Center

Duisburg

Nordrhein-Westfalen

30000

Forum Duisburg

Duisburg

Nordrhein-Westfalen

57000

City Arkaden

Wuppertal

Nordrhein-Westfalen

25000

Huma Einkaufspark

St. Augustin

Nordrhein-Westfalen

35000

City Galerie

Siegen

Nordrhein-Westfalen

22000

Einkaufs & Fachmarktzentrum Siegen-Weidenau

Siegen

Nordrhein-Westfalen

21000

Die Luminaden

Leverkusen

Nordrhein-Westfalen

36100

Stern Center

Ldenscheid

Nordrhein-Westfalen

25000

Huma Einkaufspark

Neuss

Nordrhein-Westfalen

35000

Einkaufscenter Marler Stern

Marl

Nordrhein-Westfalen

55000

Name of Mall

City / Location

State / County

Size GLA m2

Forum City

Mhlheim

Nordrhein-Westfalen

32500

Rhein Ruhr Zentrum

Mlheim

Nordrhein-Westfalen

100000

City Center Chorweiler

Kln

Nordrhein-Westfalen

27000

Neumarkt Galerie

Kln

Nordrhein-Westfalen

33000

Werre Park

Bad Oeynhausen

Nordrhein-Westfalen

30000

Hannibal Einkaufscentrum

Bochum

Nordrhein-Westfalen

25000

Ruhrpark Shopping Center

Bochum

Nordrhein-Westfalen

105000

Shopping Arkaden

Bocholt

Nordrhein-Westfalen

23000

Schadow Arkaden

Dsseldorf

Nordrhein-Westfalen

20000

City Passage

Bielefeld

Nordrhein-Westfalen

35000

Montanus Hof

Grevenbroich

Nordrhein-Westfalen

28000

Einkaufszentrum Altenessen

Essen

Nordrhein-Westfalen

20000

City Center

Essen

Nordrhein-Westfalen

30000

Hrth Park

Hrth

Nordrhein-Westfalen

50000

Name of Mall

City / Location

State / County

Size GLA m2

Rhein Center

Kln-Weiden

Nordrhein-Westfalen

32000

Barkhausen

Porta Westfalica

Nordrhein-Westfalen

32500

Sdring Shopping Center

Paderborn

Nordrhein-Westfalen

25000

Allee Center

Remscheid

Nordrhein-Westfalen

25000

Trier-Galerie

Trier

Rheinland-Pfalz

20000

Rhein-Galerie

Ludwigshafen am Rhein Rheinland-Pfalz

30000

Gutenberg Center

Mainz

Rheinland-Pfalz

30000

Lhr Center

Koblenz

Rheinland-Pfalz

32000

Outlet Center

Zweibrcken

Rheinland-Pfalz

21000

Rheinhessen Center

Alzey

Rheinland-Pfalz

42500

Elster Park

Plauen-Chrieschwitz

Sachsen

25000

Chemnitz Center

Rhrsdorf

Sachsen

95000

Kaufpark

Dresden

Sachsen

55000

Altmarkt Galerie Dresden

Dresden

Sachsen

25000

Name of Mall

City / Location

State / County

Size GLA m2

Elbe Park

Dresden

Sachsen

85000

Plauen Park

Plauen-Kauschwitz

Sachsen

35000

Seidnitz Center

Dresden

Sachsen

25000

Pleissen Center

Steinpleis

Sachsen

27500

Paunsdorf Center

Leipzig

Sachsen

125000

Lwen Center

Leipzig-Burghausen

Sachsen

45000

Allee Center

Leipzig-Grnau

Sachsen

22000

Promenaden Hauptbahnhof

Leipzig

Sachsen

30000

Sachsenpark

Leipzig

Sachsen

45000

Erzgebirgscenter

Annaberg-Buchholz

Sachsen

35000

Alt Chemnitz Center

Chemnitz

Sachsen

45000

Neefepark

Chemnitz

Sachsen

25000

Kornmarkt Center

Bautzen

Sachsen

20000

Grlitz Knigshufen

Grlitz

Sachsen

35000

Name of Mall

City / Location

State / County

Size GLA m2

Glauchau

Glauchau

Sachsen

25000

Pep Delitzsch

Delitzsch

Sachsen

20000

Sachsen Allee

Chemnitz

Sachsen

32000

Vita Center

Chemnitz

Sachsen

25000

Pep Torgau

Torgau

Sachsen

25000

Riesapark

Riesa

Sachsen

50000

Einkauf Center "Am Markt"

Grditz

Sachsen

20000

Allee Center

Magdeburg

Sachsen-Anhalt

25000

Saale Unstrut Center -Schne Aussicht-

Leiling / Weienfels

Sachsen-Anhalt

42500

Rathaus Passage

Halberstadt

Sachsen-Anhalt

22500

Hallescher Einkaufspark

Halle

Sachsen-Anhalt

25000

Kaufland Center

Halle

Sachsen-Anhalt

32000

Halle Center

Halle-Peien

Sachsen-Anhalt

40000

Pep Bernburg

Bernburg

Sachsen-Anhalt

32000

Name of Mall

City / Location

State / County

Size GLA m2

Pep Brehna

Brehna

Sachsen-Anhalt

35000

Elbe Park

Hermsdorf

Sachsen-Anhalt

45000

Brde Park

Magdeburg

Sachsen-Anhalt

70000

Flora Park

Magdeburg

Sachsen-Anhalt

70000

City Carr

Magdeburg

Sachsen-Anhalt

40000

Rathaus Center

Dessau

Sachsen-Anhalt

30000

Frde Park

Flensburg

Schleswig-Holstein

35000

Herold Center

Norderstedt

Schleswig-Holstein

20000

Stadtzentrum

Schenefeld

Schleswig-Holstein

25000

Sophienhof

Kiel

Schleswig-Holstein

25000

Mecklenburger Einkaufszentrum Ggelow

Schleswig-Holstein

25000

Gera Arkaden

Gera

Thringen

30000

Psna Park

Gropsna

Thringen

45000

Thringer Einkaufscenter

Erfurt

Thringen

30000

Name of Mall

City / Location

State / County

Size GLA m2

Goethe Galerie Jena

Jena

Thringen

27500

Burgaupark Jena

Jena

Thringen

35000