At the start of "Co-operative Week", REWE revitalised a tried and tested idea: market days for new administrative employees. Thanks to a PRIMUS-supported process, these events are now systematically integrated into onboarding. One of the first participants was Jakob Roeingh-van Doorn from the HR Competence Centre at REWE headquarters in Cologne. For three days, he supported the team of REWE salesman Marcel Simons in Bonn-Bad Godesberg - and gained valuable impressions in the process.

Jakob Roeingh-van Doorn was impressed by the atmosphere in the store: "I found a good store, there is a pleasant atmosphere here. The team is very diverse and I was welcomed with open arms - it's a shame it was only three days." He was particularly impressed by the direct but cordial tone and the mutual interest: "It was exciting to see how interested my colleagues were in my work at the head office."

Experiencing the core business up close

For Jakob, the market assignment was a real broadening of horizons: "For me, our core business is more of a long-distance business. Now I have a much better insight." Whether clearing goods, checking incoming goods or packing for the pick-up service - the tasks were varied and challenging. "The complexity of the processes in the store is remarkable. You are constantly required to be attentive."

He also learnt about digital tools such as myInfo, myPlano and the store orange through the eyes of the store employees - a change of perspective that remains: "I now have a better understanding of how our topics are received in the stores."

A win-win situation for both sides

Host Marcel Simons also draws a positive conclusion: "Jakob was very open, interested and attentive. Thinking outside the box was very enlightening for me." For Simons, work shadowing days are a valuable opportunity to receive feedback - and at the same time to convey what central services mean for day-to-day store operations.

Although the experienced REWE businessman has often hosted interns from the head office, there is no standardised placement plan. "The prior knowledge is too different for that," is the reason given. We look individually at which topics are relevant for the interns." And sometimes it's also very practical: "Lifting 20 kilos of bananas from a height of 1.80 metres - you have to experience that."

Conclusion: proximity creates understanding

"The market days are one of the most effective measures to promote mutual understanding," says Thomas Nonn, Divisional Director of Self-Employment and Co-operatives. And COO Peter Maly also emphasises: "Only those who know the business can think entrepreneurially."

Jakob Roeingh-van Doorn puts it in a nutshell: "The market days have enabled me to build a much stronger bond with the core business and the company in general. I am grateful for the insights, the great openness I was shown and have great respect for the hard work of my colleagues on the shop floor."