The family-owned company, which has been in operation for over 55 years, runs supermarkets at seven locations in and around Bayreuth with a workforce of 350 employees. “Regionality, sustainability and the highest product quality have always been our top priorities,” says owner Patrick Schneider. The newly built Edeka Schneider SuperCenter on Riedingerstraße, opened at the end of 2024, offers a diverse range of more than 40,000 products across over 3,500 square metres of retail space. With an integrated farm shop, Edeka Schneider focuses on products from around 40 local suppliers from the region – ranging from fresh fruit and vegetables and fragrant baked goods to selected delicatessen items. Images, frescoes and design elements inspired by Wagner’s operatic world create a truly unique atmosphere throughout the store.
An Exceptional Concept
Following the closure of the former Real store in 2022, Edeka took over the site and opted for a complete refurbishment. Edeka retailer Patrick Schneider seized the opportunity to establish his seventh store in Bayreuth and, together with other tenants from retail and gastronomy, to revitalise the location. The concept uniquely combines regional identity, culture and shopping experience. “We have always been guided by the idea of regionality and then implemented it consistently in this construction project. The concept we developed together with an architect centres on Bayreuth and Wagner. Among other things, we installed images with historical motifs and an oversized ceiling sail featuring a Wagner ceiling fresco,” explains Schneider. The design incorporates elements from Wagner’s Der Ring des Nibelungen as well as landmarks such as the opera house, the Hermitage and the New Palace. Each department is enhanced by a matching motif that adds distinctive accents.
Looking for Space-Saving, Efficient Refrigeration Units
In addition to its exceptional design concept, the store stands out due to its shop-in-shop character, which required refrigeration units that could be seamlessly integrated. The choice fell on Hauser equipment, which impressed with its excellent price-performance ratio, high energy efficiency and quality. The availability of regional service support and remote maintenance capabilities were also decisive factors. “One of our key requirements was to design the frozen food department in a way that makes optimal use of space. That’s why we opted for a combination of upright freezers and freezer islands, which reduces cold air loss when products are removed,” explains Schneider. The deep base provides additional loading volume. Like the Meranis freezer islands and the Mirengo upright freezers, the combination refrigeration units feature large glass surfaces that ensure excellent transparency and full visibility of the products. “The frozen food units are also significantly deeper than before, offering much more space,” Schneider adds. The entire frozen range is strategically positioned close to the checkout area. A striking ceiling fresco paying homage to the opera house and Richard Wagner’s works crowns the exceptional shopping experience. “Practical features include the edge protection on the units and the option to present products attractively on the display surfaces of the freezer units,” says the owner.
A Wide Product Range with a Strong Regional Focus
The Edeka Schneider SuperCenter offers a full repertoire: from fruit and vegetables and a fresh food section with convenience products to the meat and cheese counters and an in-house butcher’s shop featuring many regional specialities. The diverse range is complemented by a praline shop, a farm shop with numerous regional delicacies, as well as dedicated natural food and vegan sections. The wide variety of dairy products is clearly presented in Hauser Remeta refrigerated shelves arranged in a U-shape, ensuring easy access for customers. The anthracite-grey design and large, transparent glass surfaces give the refrigeration units an elegant and airy appearance that perfectly supports the store’s overall concept. The optimised design also creates more space for products and wider aisles for customers. Thanks to the new refrigeration equipment, the store appears particularly well organised. At the same time, the energy-efficient technology and the use of doors help to reduce operating costs. “Practical details such as lockable doors make restocking easier, while short defrosting times save energy and reduce downtime,” explains Schneider.
Digitalisation Meets Tradition
In contrast to the classic imagery and frescoes, the store is equipped with state-of-the-art technology. With six self-checkout stations, digital price labels and energy-efficient refrigeration technology, Edeka Schneider is well prepared for the future. “Self-service is on the rise and helps relieve our employees. We are also testing smart shopping trolleys that help us better understand consumers and their preferences, allowing us to offer tailored promotions,” says the owner. The store’s lighting can be controlled via smartphone, providing additional energy savings. Sustainability plays a key role at Edeka Schneider.
“We try to utilise every potential for saving. Thanks to the combined system and heat recovery, we use the waste heat from the refrigeration system for heating and hot water, which significantly reduces energy consumption. Of course, sourcing many products from regional suppliers also contributes to sustainability. We even have a unique used cooking oil return machine, where customers can dispose of their waste cooking oil,” Schneider notes with pride.
