“We are not just a supermarket, but also a meeting place for people.”

Their stories are as diverse as they are – and yet they are united by a common foundation of values that is deeply rooted in the cooperative tradition of the REWE Group. Today’s portrait: businessman René Irrgang, who runs two nahkauf stores and “Renés REWE”.

We’re not just a supermarket, we’re also a meeting place for people. René Irrgang opened his first nahkauf store in Hürth Berrenrath in 2019 and has quickly become an integral part of the neighborhood as a local supplier. He has been part of the REWE Group for almost 20 years: he began his apprenticeship here in 2007, then worked in field sales at nahkauf until he decided to become an independent retailer himself. Today, the 38-year-old runs two nahkauf stores in Hürth and “Renés REWE” in Cologne.

Friendliness, warmth and commitment to his customers characterize René Irrgang and his stores. Through his successful social media channels on Instagram and TikTok, he always keeps his customers up to date and offers them updates from the stores as well as information posts and entertainment. Customer service is the retailer’s top priority – as demonstrated by his “favorite neighbor” brand, which can be found throughout his stores.

As a member of the cooperative, René Irrgang sees himself as part of a whole. In particular, the joint implementation of ideas and campaigns creates a recognition value for him, which makes it possible to spread the cooperative spirit beyond the retailers.

Nahkauf is the small full-range retailer that reliably supplies people in suburban and rural areas. The approximately 460 nahkauf stores are operated exclusively by around 380 independent retailers who, as local suppliers, offer a streamlined range of groceries and an extensive assortment on sales areas of between 400 and 800 square meters.