Netto replaces bakeries: flowers and books instead of rolls in MV!

Netto replaces bakeries: flowers and books instead of rolls in MV!

In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania Netto ensures a fresh wind: At some locations, where bakery branches had previously had their place, the company opens new areas for books and flowers. In Bad Doberan, a flower shop will soon open its gates, while in the net market in Rerik a small branch of the Thalia library chain has been found since this week. Originally, a branch of the purple baker should have been opened here, but the chain had to register bankruptcy, reports the Patrick Muranko, Head of Expansion East at Netto, emphasizes the difficulties of finding new bakers for the affected locations. Bakeries in supermarkets are increasingly struggling with problems in profitability, which is clearly noticeable in the industry.

thalia, on the other hand, has just achieved sales record in the 2022/2023 financial year, which gives the company a good starting position in order to achieve more customers in rural areas. The new branch in Rerik extends over 120 square meters and offers a colorful selection of novels, property and children's books. Customers can browse the books directly in the market and pay comfortably at the supermarket fund. The Thalia branches use the customer frequency of around 4,000 to 4500 people per week to increase their reach, such as Thalia reported

In Mönchhagen, a hairdresser has taken over the area of ​​a former bakery and a butcher - another sign that the change towards new business concepts goes. Netto plans to evaluate the performance of the Thalia branch after the season, possibly also to expand the range, depending on the results.

difficult times for the bakery trade

But while new opportunities for companies such as Thalia are being created, the bakery trade is faced with great challenges. Since 2018, the number of bakeries in Germany has dropped by around 0.3 percent annually. Factors such as Corona pandemic and the UkraineKlieg have hit the industry strongly. The large companies are often better than the little ones and fight against falling heels and high raw material prices. These circumstances put the traditional bakery craft under pressure, such as Hanse interim management reports.

The future doesn't just look rosy for bakeries. Young consumers in particular show a growing interest in snack culture, which could dampen sales of small bakeries. The increasing health awareness also requires high quality products that cannot always be found in the wide range of supermarkets. Netto therefore continues to use the bakery branches as the first choice, because with a café as a whereabouts, a baker remains attractive for many customers.

If, however, there is no interest in bakery chains in the corresponding areas, plans to transform these areas back into sales area. At the latest with the planned new market in the Satower district of Hanstorf, there is movement in the region. The development plan procedure has already started and promises new swing.