Bargains can use apps to find offers in the supermarket more easily. At many retailers, customers can also benefit from coupons and loyalty points - but that comes at a price.
If you want to save money when shopping in the supermarket, you can use retailer apps. Customers can often use it to redeem coupons, find bargains, create shopping lists and sometimes even pay with it.
The computer magazine "Chip" (03/23) took a closer look at supermarket apps. Two out of eight apps received the grade "very good". The test winner was the Rewe app with an overall rating of 1.1. The net app came right behind with an overall rating of 1.3.
Both convinced in the areas of functions, service and offer. Two other providers received the grade "good" for their apps - Lidl Plus and Kaufland. Four other apps only scored "satisfactory" in the test.
With some apps, you can use individual functions without registering. With the test winner Rewe, for example, you can not only view offers and current brochures in the app, but also redeem coupons without registering. But in order to really be able to use all the savings possibilities of the apps, according to "Chip" you need an account with each of the companies.
The motivation of the supermarket chains: better customer loyalty. And of course they collect data as well as personal preferences of customers. Based on this information, they then send out customized advertising, explains "Chip". This creates the risk for customers that far more goods will end up on the conveyor belt at the checkout than planned.
Before using the apps, you should take a close look at what advantages and functions you really get and what personal data you have to give up in return or what access rights you have to grant the company for this. It is worth reading the privacy policy and, if possible, restricting access permissions.
A tip for everyone who wants to save: you should check whether the offers are really that cheap. And it is best to write a shopping list beforehand so that you only buy the goods that you actually need.
At Rewe, customers can even compile the list directly in the app from the brochure. With most apps, the list can then be shared via email or WhatsApp.
