Successful performance at the industry event "Supermarket of the Year - People & Markets": REWE triumphed in two of the four categories as well as in the special prize this year. The two top managers Lionel Souque (REWE) and Markus Mosa (Edeka) agreed that attracting and retaining employees remains the primary task. To achieve this, the attractiveness of retail as an employer must be increased in the external perception I Photo: Achim Bachhausen "The supermarket of the future will remain a 'people business'. Top operating quality with motivated, qualified and service-oriented employees will continue to be a decisive factor for success in the future," says Lionel Souque, CEO of the REWE Group, categorising the challenge and emphasising: "An award of this magnitude should always be both a motivation and an incentive - to become even better, not to stand still and to work on further innovations."

The long journey to the pot was worth it: the team from the REWE supermarket in Munich's Schleißheimer Straße enjoyed their success For store manager Davor Vrdoljak, it's as clear as day: his REWE in Munich's Schleißheimer Straße is the "best store in Schwabing". The jury agreed, naming the comparatively small but fine store of just under 1,600 square metres "Supermarket of the Year". In addition to the depth of the product range, the discerning customers particularly appreciated the "super selection" and the wide range of organic and vegan products - and all without a customer car park, according to the jury. "Of course my mum is proud of me," says Vrdoljak, who came to Germany from Croatia as a teenager. According to the dedicated store manager, he always brings the meat from his store to family celebrations - and not his brother, who works at Edeka.

Could hardly believe her success: Susanne Klars (in the red jacket) with her fellow campaigners During the presentation of the three nominees, store manager Susanne Klars wanted to get off the stage and back to her seat in the audience as quickly as possible. But then she had to return to the spotlight when the winners were announced. Because her REWE store in Berlin's Ackerhalle won the brownfield prize - even without a car park. In the 2,700 square metre store, a magnet for architects, tourists and lovers of good food, manager Klars embraces diversity, and not just in her veggie range. Her employees come from many different countries, from Colombia to Gambia and India. Klars has only had good experiences with this: "I believe that if we want to have and keep employees, we have to give everyone a chance." Together with her 56 employees, the store manager supplies up to 30,000 customers with fresh food every week. The selection comprises more than 23,000 items. In addition to the large and colourful fruit and vegetable section, numerous convenience products for immediate consumption and a sushi bar, the service counter attracts customers with its sausage, meat, cheese and fish specialities. New since 2022: the vegan service counter.

The third REWE nominee was REWE Dreschmann & Ludwig, which competed in the category for independent stores up to 2,000 square metres. The 1,850 square metre store in Langenfeld near Düsseldorf had made it to the shortlist with, among other things, its own production of sausage and ham, a convincing high-protein range, a successful delivery and collection service - and with its own beer creation, with which they wanted to unite Cologne and Düsseldorf: Költ, a mix of Kölsch and Alt. However, this did not win over all beer fans, just as the overall appearance of the market, which is powered by green electricity, was not quite enough to win the title.

Michaela Völkel from the REWE Centre in Egelsbach, Hesse, knows how to inspire with creative events and campaigns in the store as well as many social initiatives. She has now received the special "Employee of the Year 2023" award for her efforts. In her role and responsibility for the "Information & Pick-up Service & Activities" department, the 58-year-old plays a key role in Germany's highest-turnover store with 200 employees, 9,700 square metres of retail space and 1.5 million shoppers a year. She puts her heart and soul into organising fundraising campaigns for Ukrainehilfe and the children's cancer clinic, monthly tours of the store with insights into the store's own production and themed evenings for customers. Visits with coffee and cake in retirement homes and cooperation with schools, day-care centres and clubs strengthen regional ties. Michaela Völkel also shows commitment to the team, initiating running groups and taking part in the carnival parade.