Germany is Europe's e-commerce leader offering a myriad of opportunities for international online retailers and service providers alike.

Cash payment and card payment are the two main payment methods used in stationary retail. Especially card payment has increased in recent years and further accelerated due to the pandemic and the necessity for contact less payment since 2020.

Germany remains the largest consumer market in Europe - in terms of both population size and purchasing power.

Germany's food and beverages sector continues to attract fresh investment from international investors keen to expand into a highly diversified and lucrative market.

The digital transformation continues apace in Germany, with online market growth and cloud-based developments consolidating the country's position.

Germany's booming food market is attracting international investors in production, corporate catering and the gastronomy sectors.

Germany's food and beverage market has secured its latest unicorn. A number of innovative start-ups are also benefiting from demand for meat- and milk-free food products and restaurant chains continue to expand.

Online shopping has become the new “normal” during the Covid-19 pandemic – with online purchases up almost 20 percent in 2021. The country’s retail sector is expecting growth of three percent in 2022.

Foodtechs and innovtion hubs in Germany are at the technological forefront in developing sustainable food ingredients and fish and meat alternatives for the future.

German start-ups belong to the winners of the coronavirus crisis. We provide a selection of start-ups whose innovative ideas have proved popular in attracting VC funding during the pandemic.