This German Supermarket Removed Most of its Inventory to Make a Point About Racism

Sometimes it seems as if the whole world is on pins and needles these days when it comes to the sensitive topics of racism and xenophobia. Tensions are high wherever we go because of differing religious beliefs, the growing political divide, or the refugee crisis. This is leading some people to try their best to come up with ways to bring us all together as we drift farther apart.

That’s exactly what Edeka, a Hamburg supermarket, attempted to do recently when they pulled all non-German items from their shelves for a few days. They left signs here and there so their customers wouldn’t worry that they’d simply forgotten to restock (unlikely). The signs were printed with things like “so empty is a shelf without foreigners,” and “this shelf is quite boring without variety.”

Photo Credit: Twitter,_holger

No word yet on how customers responded, but you can read the grocery store’s official statement below:

“Edeka stands for diversity, and we produce a wide range of food in our assortment, which is produced in the different regions of Germany. But it is together with products from other countries that we create the unique diversity that our customers value.”

Photo Credit: Twitter,NikoGeorgarakos

It’s hard to say at this point whether the decision changed any minds, or if it will impact the community. I can say for sure, however, that it was a statement that didn’t go unnoticed.