In a continuing legal battle, Tchibo, a coffee roaster based in Hamburg, has once again faced a loss against Aldi Süd regarding the pricing of its coffee products. Tchibo claims that Aldi Süd has been selling its private label coffee, Barissimo, at prices below production costs since late 2023, constituting a breach of competition laws. The company believes that this aggressive pricing strategy is harmful to both competition and consumers, prompting them to seek a judicial ban on Aldi’s practices.

However, the Higher Regional Court of Düsseldorf has rejected Tchibo's appeal against a previous ruling that supported Aldi Süd's pricing strategy. Although the court acknowledged Tchibo's concerns, it concluded that Aldi's pricing did not violate existing laws, thus upholding the earlier decision. Tchibo's spokesperson, Arnd Liedtke, expressed disappointment with the court's refusal to address what they perceive as a structural misdevelopment within the German food retail industry, indicating the complexity and competitive nature of the coffee market in Germany.

The ruling is not final, as Tchibo still has the option to appeal to the Federal Court of Justice, which could potentially alter the course of this legal dispute. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for the broader market, especially in light of ongoing discussions about fair competition and pricing practices within the retail sector. As prices for essentials like coffee remain a hot topic in consumer discussions, the legal decisions surrounding these cases will be closely watched by other market players and stakeholders in the industry.