{"id":25926,"date":"2024-05-06T15:13:06","date_gmt":"2024-05-06T13:13:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rewe-group.com\/de\/?p=36028"},"modified":"2025-12-15T15:22:59","modified_gmt":"2025-12-15T14:22:59","slug":"we-are-a-family-business","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rewe-group.com\/en\/press-and-media\/newsroom\/stories\/we-are-a-family-business\/","title":{"rendered":"“We are a family business”"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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The team at Udo Ridders’ store on Cologne’s Eigelstein is as diverse as its customers. A role model for diversity in practice. We asked his team to tell us what makes working at REWE Ridders so special.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Over 50 employees, from the very first employee to the newcomer, half a dozen nationalities, united in people with the most diverse biographies and life plans: It’s a colorful team in the best sense of the word that keeps Udo Ridders’ REWE store running. As colorful and diverse as the Eigelstein, the street near Cologne’s main train station that gave its name to an entire neighborhood and in the middle of which the REWE store is located. We wanted to know from its boss and his employees: How do the market and the people come together? What is the secret of living together? What makes working in this store with its different characters so special? Here are their answers.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Udo Ridders<\/p>\n

Manager of the REWE store on Eigelstein street<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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When I took over the store, I had just come out of the closet. The customers thought it was great to be so open and honest. I think that was the big step in the collaboration. Over the years, we got to know various people, for example from ‘Startreff’ (a travesty theater nearby, editor’s note). During the Corona period, the artists had problems there because they weren’t allowed to perform anywhere, everything was closed. One or two of them came to us as temporary help. Diversity is not a statement for us, but a matter of course. Homophobia is not an issue here on the Eigelstein. On the contrary: there has always been recognition. The team spirit is strong. We maintain good contacts with associations and initiatives that look after people who have come here. When the question of an internship comes up, they always think of REWE Ridders. This is how new people keep coming to us. For some, this can be the starting signal for a new career. In the beginning, when the language barrier is too high, I mainly deploy the employees in the warehouse. The main thing is that the work is fun. I still spend a lot of time in the store myself, working actively. I’m one of those people, I have to be at the front. I can then demand what I do from my employees.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n <\/div>\n

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Udo Ridders<\/p>\n

Manager of the REWE store on Eigelstein street<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Fernando Bastos<\/p>\n

Temporary employee at Ridders\u2019 REWE store<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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I was born in Brazil and have lived in Germany for 32 years. Before I worked here, I was a customer. I’m a queer DJ, that’s my main profession. I couldn’t do my job during the coronavirus period, everything was closed. I didn’t want to wait for better times and applied for a job at Ridders. I’ve been here since 2021. The environment and the working hours are completely different to what I’m used to as a DJ. The work is a lot of fun. I had no problem integrating at all. Everyone has their own view of life, and that’s a good thing, we all get along really well. You just have to accept and respect each other. It’s a cultural exchange, we learn a lot from each other. Friendships have even developed, some colleagues come to the parties when I perform as a drag queen.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n <\/div>\n

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Fernando Bastos<\/p>\n

Temporary employee at Ridders\u2019 REWE store<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Ghiath Hobbi<\/p>\n

Substitute&closing staff at Ridders\u2019 REWE store<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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I came to Germany from Damascus in 2015 and have been with Ridders for five years. I really enjoy working here, it’s my second home. I think it’s great that you have so much contact with customers and colleagues at work. It was a bit difficult at the beginning because I didn’t know all the customers and colleagues yet. I invested in my language skills and further training at the vocational college, which helped me a lot. The market is also a place of integration because you work with many different nationalities here. You exchange ideas about the different cultures that everyone brings with them.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n <\/div>\n

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Ghiath Hobbi<\/p>\n

Substitute&closing staff at Ridders\u2019 REWE store<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Metin Kir<\/p>\n

Manager at Ridders\u2019 REWE store<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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I was a customer at Ridders with my mom as a child. We always enjoyed shopping there because of the atmosphere and the Turkish employees. When I was looking for an internship in the ninth grade, the REWE store was literally just around the corner, so I did my first internship here when I was fifteen. I liked the relaxed atmosphere and the colorful variety. It’s important for me to be noticed and respected by the employees. For me, that is the key to good, successful collaboration. Whether the team is large or small, you have to stand together. I learned that from Mr. Ridders. The team is like a solid wall that holds the building together: family-like, we look out for each other. We try to be there for each other and solve any problems that arise together. Mr. Ridders was and is always there for us. Conversely, we are Udo Ridders’ family.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n <\/div>\n

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Metin Kir<\/p>\n

Manager at Ridders\u2019 REWE store<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Maria Riccio de DiMarco<\/p>\n

Employee at Ridders\u2019 REWE store in charge of dairy products and convenience food<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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I came here from Ecuador 24 years ago. I didn’t speak much German back then, was looking for a job and contacted Mr. Ridders in 2001. Today I know I was lucky: with the boss and with the company. I look after dairy and convenience products, tidy up and restock. I like doing the job. The work is fun because the boss is a great person and spreads a good atmosphere. I’ve got to know a lot of people from many different nationalities here and have never had any problems. It’s like a second family.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n <\/div>\n

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Maria Riccio de DiMarco<\/p>\n

Employee at Ridders\u2019 REWE store in charge of dairy products and convenience food<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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The market<\/h2>\n

in 1997, Udo Ridders started his own REWE store, initially at Eigelstein 50-51, the location of today’s PENNY store. in 2006, the store moved to number 80-88, where a Globus hypermarket had previously been located. There, Ridders and his team occupy 1,800 square meters of sales space, spread over two floors.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Read more<\/h2>\n \n <\/div>\n
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    Press release<\/p>\n

    24 September 2026<\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n

    From the REWE GROUP for customers: toom Baumarkt DIY store and fulfillmenttools lay the foundation for flexible omnichannel services<\/h3>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n<\/div>\n <\/li>\n
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    \n \"Teaser-Lionel-Souque-und-Bruno-Wenn_Collage\"\n\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n\n
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    Press release<\/p>\n

    14 September 2026<\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n

    REWE GROUP Supports Cologne Cultural Fund<\/h3>\n

    Funding model helps the independent arts scene attract federal and EU funding to Cologne<\/p>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n<\/div>\n <\/li>\n

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    Press release<\/p>\n

    17 August 2026<\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n

    S&P Reaffirms REWE GROUP’s \u201cBBB\u201d Rating (Outlook Stable)\u00a0<\/h3>\n

    REWE Group remains in a strong financial position and is focused on long-term growth through strategic investments<\/p>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n<\/div>\n <\/li>\n

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    Story<\/p>\n

    10 August 2026<\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n

    Winter Vacation: The Waiting Game Is Over<\/h3>\n

    Recently, the number of bookings for the winter season has been picking up significantly again. Half of all bookings made with our tour operators are for long-haul destinations, and flexible travel options and unique experiences are very much in vogue. Here\u2019s an overview of the highlights from the new itineraries<\/p>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n<\/div>\n <\/li>\n

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    Press release<\/p>\n

    24 July 2026<\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n

    Strategic Expansion of Hotel Operations: DERTOUR Group Becomes Sole Owner of DSR Hotel Holding<\/h3>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n<\/div>\n <\/li>\n
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    Story<\/p>\n

    23 July 2026<\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n

    “I’m an optimistic person. I’ve always been that way.”<\/h3>\n

    For Ines Batz of DERTOUR, the effectiveness of her appreciative, positive, and calm leadership style was evident not only during stressful periods at work but also during a personal crisis: Her team naturally stepped in and supported her through that time. From her own career experience, she also knows that no one is perfectly prepared for a leadership position. Her advice to other women: Take it one step at a time\u2014with courage, curiosity, and confidence.<\/p>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n<\/div>\n <\/li>\n

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    Story<\/p>\n

    22 July 2026<\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n

    Sports Bring People Together: Inclusion Right in the Heart of the Neighborhood<\/h3>\n

    What\u2019s it like to play wheelchair basketball? Florian S\u00f6rensen, manager of the sales department, tried it out for himself at the inclusive family sports festival in Berlin-Reinickendorf in early July. A few meters away, European Para-Badminton Champion Rick Hellmann was playing with guests. Fifty meters away, children were climbing a tower made of empty water crates, while at the many other booths, people were discussing the theme of the day: the self-determined participation of people with disabilities in social life.<\/p>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n<\/div>\n <\/li>\n

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    Story<\/p>\n

    15 July 2026<\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n

    CSD 2026: Take a Stand. Embrace Diversity.<\/h3>\n

    Together with our LGBTIQ employee network, DITO, we are once again participating in numerous Christopher Street Days and Pride events this year. For the first time, we\u2019ll have trucks in six German cities, and we\u2019re also supporting numerous regional Pride events as well as initiatives organized by our regional offices and retailers. We are also sending a clear message of diversity at our locations in Austria, Italy, and Slovakia. <\/p>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n<\/div>\n <\/li>\n <\/ul>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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    \n Join the discussion on LinkedIn <\/h2>\n
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    Our LinkedIn feed has all the latest information from the REWE GROUP and the sector, with the most important developments from the worlds of retail, e-commerce, food, CSR and policy.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n

    \n \n To LinkedIn feed <\/a>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n

    \n <\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Over 50 employees, half a dozen nationalities. The REWE store on Eigelstein is a model of diversity in action.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":18,"featured_media":21584,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"26622,27351,25814,27052,25736,25962","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":"","nl_adhoc_sent":1,"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[],"sales_line":[15],"focus_theme":[142],"class_list":["post-25926","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-company","sales_line-rewe","focus_theme-undefined"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rewe-group.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25926","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rewe-group.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rewe-group.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rewe-group.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/18"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rewe-group.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=25926"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/www.rewe-group.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25926\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":25948,"href":"https:\/\/www.rewe-group.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25926\/revisions\/25948"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rewe-group.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/21584"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rewe-group.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=25926"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rewe-group.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=25926"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rewe-group.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=25926"},{"taxonomy":"sales_line","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rewe-group.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/sales_line?post=25926"},{"taxonomy":"focus_theme","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rewe-group.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/focus_theme?post=25926"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}