Meerbusch on a warm morning. Simon Bacher’s farm is a hive of activity: there’s the lively wagging of his young Magyar Vizsla, Frida. There are his goats and chickens, peering curiously over the fence. For Simon Bacher, this environment isn’t a stark contrast to his job as a REWE independent retailer — it’s the source of his inspiration. This is exactly where the new, multi-part documentary series “From Zero to Woof” begins. The series follows the 37-year-old and his team up close on their journey toward a real milestone: die Opening of the first brick-and-mortar ZooRoyal specialty store in North Rhine-Westphalia in July 2026.
About:
Simon Bacher
REWE independent retailer
Simon Bacher is opening the first ZooRoyal store in North Rhine-Westphalia.
From my parents’ farm stand to my own supermarket
“Simon Bacher was born with a passion for retail. I’ve worked my whole life in my parents’ farm stand — they’re farmers,
he says. Of course, I enjoyed driving a tractor, but what I loved most was working alongside my mother in the farm store, which is how my greatest wish developed: to one day become a REWE store manager.
After earning his degree in business administration and gaining experience at various large corporations, he made this dream a reality: Since the summer of 2025, he has been successfully running his own REWE store in nearby Haan.
But when the REWE Group decided to roll out the successful omnichannel concept of the specialty retailer ZooRoyal in the west to brick-and-mortar stores as well, he didn’t hesitate for a second. For this passionate animal lover, pet supplies are a project close to his heart. In the first episode of the documentary series, Bacher takes viewers into his two worlds — his farm and his supermarket — and explains his personal motivation for taking this bold step.
From Zero to Woof: Simon’s Lifelong Dream
True entrepreneurship, told without embellishment: A behind-the-scenes look at an extraordinary expansion—driven by a genuine love for animals and the strength of a cooperative.
The Team as a Family: A Guarantee of Training and True Experts
In the second episode, the documentary shifts its focus to the intense preparations for the new store in Düsseldorf-Lichtenbroich. Here, Bacher’s deeply rooted philosophy becomes evident: In our company, the philosophy is quite simple: We are a family.
He consistently lives by this attitude: Simon Bacher offers his employees’ children a guaranteed apprenticeship and gives priority to hiring family members of his team. For the ZooRoyal specialty store, he has assembled a diverse team of true industry professionals — from passionate aquarists to a certified dog groomer for the integrated “FellSpa”. This is also necessary because the pet supply business differs fundamentally from a traditional supermarket: In the food retail sector, it’s all about having the merchandise in stock and getting customers through the checkout quickly,
Bacher explains in an interview for the series. The pet supply business is exactly the opposite. It’s about providing good advice; it’s about trust.
From Zero to Woof: Together, We’re Building Something Great
In the second episode, the documentary shifts its focus to the hectic preparations at the new ZooRoyal store in Düsseldorf-Lichtenbroich.
The Cooperative as a Stable Anchor in Uncertain Times
A central theme that runs like a common thread through the documentary series is the strength of the cooperative principle. Over the course of the episodes, Simon Bacher makes it clear that, for him, the cooperative is far more than just an organizational model — it is an existential anchor of security and a compass for values. For me, a cooperative means community. And community means supporting one another and learning from one another,
he emphasizes.
Especially in economically challenging times, he values the long-term focus of the REWE community: To me, a cooperative means stability. There’s no gambling involved. It’s not about returns. It’s solely about: What will we be doing in ten years? And this forward-thinking, this sense of responsibility toward the next generation — I believe those are the values that we ourselves embody.
Unique services across more than 1,400 square meters
The final episode of the series follows Simon Bacher through the final preparations leading up to the grand opening on July 16, 2026 — authentic, honest, and up close — including last-minute work and the stress that comes with it. On camera, a true shopping experience takes shape across more than 1,400 square meters of retail space, combining the strengths of REWE and ZooRoyal. With over 15,000 items, a state-of-the-art aquarium department, dog washing stations, a pet pharmacy, and veterinary advice from Medivet, the store becomes a true oasis of well-being for people and pets alike.
Frida the dog consistently serves as the store’s harshest critic and “chief product tester.” With a twinkle in its eye and a whole lot of heart, “From Zero to Woof” shows the authentic, emotional journey of a modern retailer who proves that tradition and the future complement each other perfectly in modern retail.
From Zero to Woof: The Grand Pre-Opening
The final episode of the series follows Simon Bacher through the final preparations leading up to the opening on July 16, 2026—authentic, honest, and intimate—including last-minute work and stress.
