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ZDF Documentary ‘Der Kiosk’ Spotlights Germany’s Fading Corner Shops

Long-form portraits show family-run neighborhood hubs squeezed by discounters, staff shortages, inflation.

Overview

  • The film airs in ZDF’s 37 Grad strand on 30 September at 22:15 under the title “Der Kiosk: Kaffee, Bier und Emotionen.”
  • It follows Naciye at the long-running Ballerbude in Oer-Erkenschwick and Serdar at a recently taken-over Späti by Berlin’s Viktoriapark.
  • The filmmakers cite estimates of a national drop from roughly 44,000 kiosks a decade ago to about 24,000 today, with Berlin’s Spätis down to around 1,000.
  • Reported pressures include competition from discounters with long opening hours, persistent staffing gaps, and rising costs that strain margins and customers.
  • The reportage highlights kiosks’ social role as informal meeting points run largely by families with migration backgrounds, with adaptations such as outdoor seating, parcel acceptance, and community support.