Edeka, a retail chain based in Berlin, removes a condensed magazine from its selection
In the world of supermarkets, Edeka operates under an assortment sovereignty model, granting individual store managers considerable control over the products stocked in their stores. This decentralised decision-making extends to magazines and newspapers, including politically sensitive ones like the right-wing magazine Compact.
This model leads to inconsistent availability of Compact across the Edeka chain. Some stores may choose not to carry the magazine due to its political stance, customer base, or local community standards, while others might still offer it if local management or customer demand supports it.
Recently, the magazine Compact was found in the assortment of Edeka stores in Steglitz-Zehlendorf, despite the supermarket chain's decision to stop selling it elsewhere. This occurrence has added fuel to the contentious debate surrounding right-wing extremist publications in German media and politics.
It's important to note that the German press law states that an individual retailer has no influence on the publications they sell. This means that Edeka's head office, having issued a binding email regarding the removal of Compact from their stores, cannot be held responsible for its presence in the Steglitz-Zehlendorf store.
The presence of Compact in the Edeka store in Steglitz-Zehlendorf does not imply a violation of Edeka's decision to stop selling the magazine. Nor does it contradict the legal complexities surrounding the "fight against the right" as mentioned by Faeser, or the legal situation regarding the obligation to stock or openly offer specific magazines.
The content of the magazine Compact has been deemed legally unassailable in the interest of press freedom, and a recent court ruling has overturned a ban on the magazine, causing controversy. However, the court's ruling on the Compact ban does not apply to the Edeka store in Steglitz-Zehlendorf, as the store is not obligated to stock or openly offer the magazine under the current legal situation.
The decision to stop selling Compact was made following a customer complaint, but the head office of Edeka could not provide a reason for the presence of Compact in the assortment of approximately 4,000 magazines in the Steglitz-Zehlendorf store. The magazine has since been removed from Edeka stores, including one in Zehlendorf.
This incident serves as a reminder of the complexities involved in managing assortment sovereignty, particularly when it comes to politically sensitive publications. It also underscores the need for continuous dialogue between retailers, customers, and policymakers to ensure that the right balance is struck between freedom of the press and societal values.
Read also:
- Exploring Money-Making Opportunities in Digital Gaming Worlds
- Chemical company, Chemours, instructed to promptly reduce PFAS discharge into the Ohio River
- Controversy erupts over proposal for electric vehicle users to pay road tolls
- Altering the Current for Chaos: Deciding Fate of Earth's Magnetic Force and Its Impact on World Climate
