At the centre of life, close to people: In our film series, we present impressive REWE Group retailers - strong personalities who have led their stores to success with an individual signature and a common sales concept. Their stories are as diverse as they are - and yet they are united by a common foundation of values that is deeply rooted in REWE Group's co-operative tradition. Today's portrait: businessman René Irrgang, who runs two nahkauf stores and "Renés REWE".
"We're not just a supermarket, we're also a meeting place for people." René Irrgang opened his first nahkauf store in Hürth Berrenrath in 2019 and has quickly become an integral part of the neighbourhood as a local supplier. He has been part of the REWE Group for almost 20 years: he began his apprenticeship here in 2007, then worked in sales field service at nahkauf until he decided to become a salesman himself. Today, the 38-year-old runs two nahkauf stores in Hürth and "Renés REWE" in Cologne.
Friendliness, warmth and commitment to his customers characterise René Irrgang and his stores. He keeps his customers up to date via his successful social media channels on Instagram and TikTok, offering them updates from the stores as well as information posts and entertainment. Customer service is a top priority for the retailer - as demonstrated by his "Lieblingsnachbar" brand, which can be found throughout his stores.
As a member of the co-operative, René Irrgang sees himself as part of a whole. In particular, the joint realisation of ideas and campaigns creates a recognition value for him, which makes it possible to spread the cooperative spirit beyond the retailers.
Nahkauf is the small full-range supermarket that reliably supplies people in suburban and rural areas. The approximately 460 nahkauf stores are operated exclusively by around 380 independent retailers who, as local suppliers, offer a streamlined range of groceries and an extensive assortment on sales areas of between 400 and 800 square metres.
Both German and English comments appear here.
Da ich selbst in Hürth-Berrenrath wohne und René seit der "Stunde Null" kenne, kann ich alles was er sagt nur bestätigen. Durch sein großes Engagement im Dorf und dem spürbaren Team-Spirit in der Marktmannschaft ist er zu einer eigenen Marke geworden und unverzichtbar in seiner Rolle als Nahversorger und Treffpunkt geworden. Weiter so, lieber René!!!