Tchibo, a well-known coffee roaster in Hamburg, has experienced a setback in its legal dispute with the discount retailer Aldi over the latter's sale of its Barissimo coffee at prices below production costs. Tchibo argued that Aldi's pricing strategy undermined fair competition and sought a legal injunction to stop this practice. However, the Higher Regional Court of Düsseldorf ruled against Tchibo, affirming that Aldi's pricing, even when promotional and below the costs of green coffee beans, is legally permissible.

The court's decision follows a similar ruling from the Düsseldorf District Court earlier in 2025, which supported Aldi's approach to aggressive pricing strategies as a legitimate method within the competitive retail landscape. This ruling indicates that discounts offered by Aldi, despite the potential strain on smaller competitors like Tchibo, are considered acceptable business practices under current laws governing market competition.

As the fight for coffee consumers intensifies, Tchibo's leadership is reportedly contemplating further legal action at a higher judicial level, hoping to overturn the decision in favor of more protective measures for fair competition in the coffee market. This conflict reflects broader issues in the retail sector, where large discount chains often pressure smaller brands, raising questions about the sustainability of fair pricing practices and the impact on consumer choices.