Tchibo, a well-known German coffee brand, has faced a setback in its ongoing legal battle with Aldi Süd concerning aggressive pricing strategies in the coffee market. The Oberlandesgericht Düsseldorf ruled that Aldi's practice of selling roasted coffee at prices lower than the market price for green coffee was permissible. This decision has significant implications for competition in the retail coffee sector, where both companies compete fiercely for customers.

The ruling comes at a time when Aldi has been consistently selling coffee below cost price, a tactic Tchibo contended undermines fair competition. While Aldi confirmed its pricing strategy, Tchibo sought legal action to stop this practice, arguing that it harms its business interests and market competition in general. However, the court's decision supports Aldi's pricing model and suggests that such aggressive discounting may be legally acceptable.

As the rivalry between Tchibo and Aldi Süd continues, this ruling is likely to influence not only their practices but also the broader retail coffee market in Germany. Consumers may benefit from lower prices in the short term, but Tchibo's concerns about competition and sustainability in the market remain uncertainties for the future of premium coffee brands.