Germany is lacking a sense of community. At the same time, there is a growing expectation that businesses should take responsibility for social cohesion. This is shown by a recent, representative study carried out by the REWE Group, which is being published to mark International Co-operatives Day on 4 July.
For the study, around 2,000 people aged 18 and over were surveyed across Germany in June 2026. The study focused on the question of how important community is to people in Germany today, what role businesses play in this, and how different types of business are perceived.
The results show that community remains a fundamental need, but is seen by many people as less of a given than it used to be. At the same time, there is a growing expectation that companies should take responsibility for social cohesion. Economic success and social responsibility are not seen as mutually exclusive. On the contrary: many people expect the two to go hand in hand.
„Can you run a successful business whilst keeping the common good in mind? It’s possible! That is precisely what the cooperative principle stands for. Our study shows that many people want companies that take responsibility and strengthen the community. As a cooperative, this has always been part of our identity.“Thomas Nonn, Divisional Director for Self-Employment and Cooperatives, REWE Group | ©Michael Breuer photokonzept
In this context, co-operative, owner-managed and family-run businesses are viewed particularly favourably. From the respondents’ perspective, they stand for responsibility, reliability and community.
For the REWE Group, the results underline the importance of its co-operative business model. With around 1,800 independent retailers, we combine entrepreneurial autonomy with the strength of a community. The retailers take responsibility in their regions, get involved at a local level and help ensure that economic success and social commitment go hand in hand.
- 51.5% of Germans today feel less part of a community.
- Around 70 per cent feel that a strong sense of community is lacking in society.
- 70.5% expect companies to show greater commitment to their local communities.
- 42.6% believe that companies have not yet fulfilled this responsibility sufficiently.
- 58.6% agree that economic success and the common good go hand in hand.
- 53.8% see co-operatives as an economic model that combines economic success with social responsibility.
- 58.0% have particular trust in owner- and family-run businesses.
- 49.6% say that co-operatives promote a sense of community within the economy.
Further information
The key findings of the study, along with charts and background information, can be found on the landing page:
https://www.rewe-group.com/de/unternehmen/genossenschaft/studie-gemeinschaft-wird-zur-erwartung-an-unternehmen/
