September 15, 2022
Space for even more variety in the assortment
• Focus on regionality
• Modern technology for low energy consumption
• Social commitment on site
The renovation work in the EDEKA Center in the Stern-Center is completed after a total of 20 weeks. The full-range supplier was modernized and set up for the future. On Thursday, 15 September, the market will finally open its doors again and offer its customers a new shopping experience with a feel-good atmosphere. “We are pleased to welcome our customers again. They will be thrilled by the large fresh assortment, the modern atmosphere and the variety that the market now offers,” emphasizes Thomas Brendel, who has been market manager at today’s EDEKA Center for a year and had previously managed the real store at the same location for twelve years.
After taking over the real store last year, EDEKA Minden-Hannover had converted the market to EDEKA Center in terms of sales and technology. Now it has been extensively modernized. “With the new market, we are now well positioned for the future. Local supply for citizens and the economic future of employees are ensured,” says Thomas Brendel. Now the 6,600 square meter EDEKA Center in Potsdam shines in a completely new appearance. “No stone was left unturned here,” says Thomas Brendel.
In the basement, the fruit and vegetable department is now located at the new place with attached market bakery and a large “Naturkind” organic department. The articles from the confectionery, toys and beverage ranges have been completely rearranged – supplemented by a world of stationery, books and magazines as well as the ice chests in front of the cash registers. On the upper floor are the generous assortment of wine, sparkling wine and spirits, the completely converted service counters for fish, cheese, meat and sausages, the new Italian world “Amore Roma”, the huge selection of chilled and frozen products and the large department for textiles, household goods, electrical goods and much more. The market team has also grown as a result of the expansion: from 109 to 122 employees, including four trainees.
Space for even more variety in the assortment
With around 70,000 articles, the market offers a large selection from GUT&GÜNSTIG products at discount price level to branded articles and national and international specialities. The focus is on freshness and variety in EDEKA quality throughout the market. In addition to local and seasonal products, the extensive fruit and vegetable department also offers exotic fruits from Europe and the world. The range of organic and regional products as well as vegetarian and vegan articles is already extensive and is constantly being expanded. In the “Jungle Bar”, customers will find freshly prepared smoothies as well as freshly pre-cut fruit and salads every day. This offer is complemented by freshly squeezed orange juice and a pineapple peeling machine. In INFARM’s herb farm, various herbs grow directly in the market and can be purchased immediately after harvesting – it couldn’t be fresher. Ideal: With the EDEKA reusable nets, it is possible to dispense with plastic bags when shopping for fruit and vegetables as well as at the bakery service counter. Incidentally, the store also offers customers a comprehensive reusable concept at all service counters.
On the upper floor, customers will also be able to enjoy the “hot counter” at the spacious service counter for meat and sausage “die Fleischer” – with classic products such as meat cheese, meatballs and chicken. A special highlight in the market is also the range of dry-aged pork and beef. These are slowly matured meat specialties that are becoming increasingly popular. Cheese specialities are available in the “Kääsmarkt” and at the “Backmeister N°1” in the prepayment area, customers can watch baking.
Also new: In the fish department, customers can look forward to the new concept “die Fischwerker” and unique fish enjoyment. “Don’t snap long – pack fish” is the motto here. Among other things, there is trout fillet, monkfish, herring or dill bites on offer in the own fish department. The smoker will convince from now on with smoked goods from our own production. If you like sushi and Asian food, you can enjoy freshly prepared sushi snacks – and vegetarian alternatives in the sushi bar of “eat happy” every day.
Focus on regionality
Market manager Brendel and his team attach great importance to regionality. “We consciously work together with many regional suppliers in order to strengthen local economic power,” explains Thomas Brendel. The 44 regional suppliers include Bäckerei und Konditorei Fahland Potsdam, Beelitzer Frischei GmbH, Berliner Kaffeerösterei, Florida Eismanufaktur Berlin and Spargelhof Klaistow. Under the label “Best from the region” there are Beelitzer free-range eggs, cultivated blueberries, organic Fahland black bread, the Florida ice cream range, Origo Simp. Coffee Berliner Crema, Berliner “Brandstifter” Gin and much more. Other regional fruit and vegetable products can be found in the fruit and vegetable assortment on the basis of the label “EDEKA Heimatliebe”.
Modern building technology for low energy consumption The EDEKA Center Stern-Center
also scores with its environmentally friendly equipment and sustainable building renovation. The refrigerated cabinets work with the natural refrigerant CO2 and are closed with glass doors for more constant temperature control. The old cash registers and scales were removed and replaced by new equipment. With the conversion, major technical work was now also carried out, such as the reinstallation of the entire electrical sub-distribution and the ventilation system as well as the installation of a new fire alarm system. E-mobility is also supported in the center multi-storey car park and enables customers to charge their car while shopping at one of a total of four charging stations. The opportunities offered by building digitization are also being exploited in the market – for example, in room temperature monitoring by the central control room in Minden. Technical systems can thus be monitored centrally for compliance with their target values.
Social commitment on site
In addition to the love of food, the needs of the people in Potsdam are also of great importance to the EDEKA Center Stern-Center. Market manager Thomas Brendel and his team feel connected to the region and are committed to local social issues. “I think it’s important to make a contribution to society. That’s why we attach great importance to social commitment in our region,” he explains. For example, empties deposit vouchers are regularly collected in favor of the Potsdamer Tafel via a donation box. In addition, the market also regularly supports the Potsdamer Tafel with food and donates 1,000 euros to “Die Arche” Children’s Foundation – Christliches Kinder- und Jugendwerk Potsdam on the occasion of the reopening.
Flexible and convenient shopping – among other things with the Easy Shopper
The EDEKA Center Stern-Center in Potsdam is now a modern hypermarket with contemporary standards. The cash desk area has 17 cash registers. For a faster payment process, customers now also have three self-scanning cash registers at their disposal. The most modern shopping trolley in the world – the EASY-Shopper – supports customers in relaxed shopping and is ideal for avoiding long waiting times at the checkouts. The fast payment by card, EDEKA or EASY Shopper app also helps to make contactless payments. Enjoy, linger and relax – with 16 seats, the “Backmeister” café is the meeting place for young and old and offers, among other things, a rich selection of coffee specialties and breakfast options. A total of 2,000 generous parking spaces are available to EDEKA customers in the parking decks of the Stern-Center.
February 1, 2023
