Symposium Superlist Germany 2025 - Next Steps to a More Sustainable Retail Sector

The Symposium “Superlist Environment Germany: Next Steps to a More Sustainable Retail Sector” brought together leaders from the retail industry, academics, non‐governmental organizations, and policy experts to discuss the implications of the Superlist Report— a benchmark on Germany’s largest retailers performance on environmental sustainability. With Germany positioned as a key player in the EU retail market, the symposium examined current sustainability practices and explored actionable next steps to drive progress in responsible retailing. It was a unique setting in which all of the retailers that were part of the benchmark were present.

Superlist Environment Germany

During a constructive panel discussion, representatives from EDEKA, Rewe, Lidl, and Kaufland shared their reactions. Alexander Liedke on behalf of Lidl embraced the findings and Lidl’s leadership role but also acknowledged room for improvement. Ines Rottwilm from Kaufland sees the Superlist insights as a motivator and feels that Kaufland is on the right track. The discussion also became lively with the retailers suggesting improvements for a future Superlist. For example, EDEKA and Rewe stressed the methodology did not  capture qualitative efforts. Overall, there was broad consensus on the need for progress within supermarkets. And at the same time, that supermarkets would be helped with a standardized protein split methodology, sector-wide roadmaps, and political engagement and regulatory support. Retailers also stressed the complexity of internal alignment and the challenges of involvement of supply chain actors.

In a second panel, voices from WWF, University of Göttingen, Schulterechtsanwälte, and the German Federal Office for Agriculture and Food (BLE) emphasized that:

  • Retailers are no longer passive food distributors, but have a critical role as gatekeepers of the food environment, thereby influencing consumer behavior. As Dr. Kim Manuel Künstner underlines, supermarkets control around 90% of the food market.
  • There is vast untapped potential in point-of-sale strategies, advertising and framing to accelerate the protein shift.
  • Stronger government incentives, such as VAT reform and subsidy realignment are essential. Dr. Sarah Iweala from the University of Göttingen calls for political support to create a level playing field.

Looking ahead, Superlist Europe will be published in 2026, with the next German report due in 2027. In the meantime, the symposium reinforced a shared ambition: to transform the retail sector into a driving force for climate-friendly, sustainable food systems.