They are called “smart stores”, “automated kiosks” or “digital supermarkets”. For many politicians, traders and consumers it is a ray of hope. They are fully automated and require almost no personnel. These modern supermarkets could be a solution for shopping in smaller towns and rural areas, even at night, on Sundays and holidays. But not everyone sees it so positively. Churches and unions oppose and consider that the Sunday holiday is being circumvented.

At the beginning of the year, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania pioneered the opening of mini-vending markets on Sundays, the first time such a thing was allowed in a state. According to the law there are no restrictions on the content or size of points of sale.

Bavaria and Hesse are however a bit stricter. It has been decided that unmanned supermarkets with a maximum area of ​​150 square meters will be allowed to open continuously in future, including on Sundays.

With the help of digital technology

The new concept of 24/7 direct sales sounds impressive. Many small mini markets do not have sufficient revenue and are closing, so stores that will operate through digital technology are gaining ground. App access, camera monitoring, self-service from the shelf and card payment in stores 24/7.

One of the biggest providers is the trading company Tegut based in Fulda. The food company opened the first “smart” branch in November 2020. To date, it has 39 such stores, mostly in containers, with 28 in Hesse, 6 in Baden-Württemberg and 5 in Bavaria. Customers can choose between 950 products and pay by card. The trend is upward. And the big super chain REWE seems to be trying a similar idea. It creates stores that sell everything from apples to toothbrushes and includes about 800 items for everyday needs.

Churches and unions react

Supporters of the new idea point to the opportunities that can arise at a societal level as well. Especially for the elderly and people in rural areas, digital shopping on Sundays provides an opportunity for social contacts outside the home. So the supporters of this idea believe that small places will be upgraded and gain in vitality.

The churches and the Ver.di union are not generally opposed to the new business model, but they do not agree with their operation on Sundays and holidays. Sunday as a non-working day is not only intended to protect workers, but also to protect Sundays and public holidays as days of rest and spiritual upliftment, says Bernhard Sindering of the “Association for Free Sundays” in Hesse. If shopping in the markets can also be done on Sundays and public holidays, the Sunday peace will be disturbed. In addition, digitized supermarkets in order to operate definitely need staff to monitor, control technology and hygiene. Every coin has two sides.

Edited by: Maria Rigoutsou