Climate neutral by 2050: 7 ways in which the food retail sector is already implementing sustainability today

In light of the climate crisis, food retailers are under more pressure than ever to take action and are seizing the opportunity to combine environmental awareness with economic success through innovative solutions. The direction is clear: fewer emissions, greater transparency, stronger regionality, and more sustainable products. We have summarized what this looks like in concrete terms, which ideas work, and where there is still potential.

According to a PwC survey, 44% of consumers say they are willing to pay more when buying food and beverages in order to support environmental sustainability in food production. Criteria such as freshness, regional origin, and certifications such as organic or Fairtrade have a significant influence on purchasing decisions.

As reported by Rundschau magazine (issue 03/25, Sustainability), Rewe took a bold step with the first purely plant-based supermarket in Berlin-Friedrichshain: the range includes over 2,700 vegan products, twice as many as in the standard range. According to the company, the aim is not only to sell products, but also to find out which products, ranges, placements, and customer reactions work well and can be transferred to regular supermarkets. Convenience products from the bakery sector, such as vegan Franzbrötchen and chocolate croissants, are particularly in demand, according to the food retailer.

Edeka is also focusing on plant-based diversity with its organic shop-in-shop concept “Naturkind-Welten”, according to the report in Rundschau magazine (03/25). The 100th branch opened in 2024, offering over 1,200 products in a space of around 100 square meters.

As Rundschau (03/25) explains, regional supply chains are gaining strategic importance – not only for environmental reasons, but also because of growing demand for transparency regarding origin. Initiatives such as Rewe's “Näher dran” (Closer to Home) or Edeka's regional private labels such as “Unsere Heimat – echt & gut” (Our Home – Genuine & Good) or ‘Gutfleisch’ (Good Meat) and Aldi's “Bestes aus der Region” (Best of the Region) are systematically promoting local products.

According to Rundschau, Kaufland provides a clear definition of “regional,” namely: a maximum of 30 kilometers from the respective store. This is intended to give customers an idea of what is meant by regional products.

The magazine Rundschau shows in its article that the construction of stores is also undergoing a transformation.  Rewe built the first German commercial building in Berlin with exterior walls made of ultra-lightweight concrete, without additional insulation. The reason: ultra-lightweight concrete contains very light aggregates such as expanded clay, which trap air. This creates a material with a low bulk density that has a naturally insulating effect. Aldi Süd has been testing wooden construction prototypes for several years and is currently building its first store with heat pump technology in Duisburg.

Edeka's sustainability strategy is to be demonstrated in the implementation of the “Zukunftsmarkt” (future market) in Nauen. According to the company, environmentally friendly materials such as wood, natural insulation materials, and low-CO2 concrete have been used there. In addition to a green roof and a photovoltaic system, solar carports were installed in the parking lot. What is special here is that the building supplies 54% of its own electricity. Overall, this building produced 840 tons less CO₂ emissions than conventional buildings, according to the company.

As reported by Rundschau (03/25), the food retail sector is turning to alternative drive systems for transport. Rewe already uses seven electric trucks in Berlin, saving around 189 tons of CO₂ annually. Aldi Süd is testing hydrogen trucks, Edeka operates over 300 LNG vehicles and plans to switch completely to bio-LNG by the end of 2025. The potential savings amount to around 40,000 tons of CO₂ per year.