In conversation with
Christian Dorfmann,
EDEKA's Store of the Future

Mr Dorfmann, you have been running the EDEKA DORFMANN supermarket in Ketzin as an independent retailer since 2015, as well as the Funkstadtcafé in Nauen, the Nah & Gut Markt and, since the end of August 2024, the EDEKA Store of the Future in Nauen.  

What motivates you and what plans do you have for the future of your companies? 

I'm lucky that I really enjoy my job and that every day I start work in a good mood. I always look forward to working in our stores alongside our great teams, developing them further and supplying our customers in Havelland with high-quality food.  

Many retail companies are currently suffering from an acute staff shortage. Are you experiencing this too and if so, how are you meeting this challenge? 

Fortunately, we don't have this problem. Over the years, we have built up a strong and widely recognised employer brand that enables us to successfully attract potential applicants with our concepts. A shortage of employees is therefore not an issue for us. 

What role does increasing digitalisation in retail play in your company?  

As in many other companies, digitalisation plays a central role for us in optimising and simplifying processes. We use the tools provided by EDEKA, for example for ordering fruit and vegetables via tablets. Schweitzer also supports us with the Waterloop, an energy-efficient refrigeration system that runs on R290 and is connected to a monitoring system. 

The EDEKA Store of the Future in Nauen is the first project that you have realised in partnership with Schweitzer. How satisfied are you with the collaboration?  

I am extremely satisfied with the cooperation with Schweitzer. Despite the physical distance, our interlocutors were always available, which made the partnership much easier. 

Is the sales trend in line with your expectations? 

Overall, we are satisfied with the first few months. However, the lack of infrastructure in the region is making it difficult for some customers to come to us. We hope that this will change in the first quarter of 2025, as a bus connection may be in the pipeline. I am also currently working on setting up a shuttle service for our customers. 

Schweitzer's sister company, the retail design agency Interstore, takes the creative lead on all projects in close consultation with our customers. Did you feel involved in the design process? 

I felt fully involved in all processes. All developments were discussed, and decisions were made at the weekly meetings.