On Friday and Saturday, September 11 and 12, 2026, this year's action days of the IHK campaign "Heimat shoppen" will take place. For the eighth time, Idar-Oberstein retailers, service providers and restaurateurs are invited to take part in the nationwide campaign to strengthen the stationary retail trade. The registration period runs until February 28, 2026.
The aim of "Heimat shoppen", which is initiated in cooperation with regional trade associations, is to highlight the importance of local retailers, restaurateurs and service providers for cities, municipalities and regions. After all, they all make an important contribution to improving the quality of life and identity of their communities. The aim is therefore to make customers more aware of the need to shop locally and to take better advantage of local offers. It is more important than ever to maintain the social and communicative center of a city, especially in light of the general structural change in the retail sector. Retail connects people and lively city centers develop a strong appeal. This is where people meet, buy goods, use services and spend their leisure time. The highlight of the initiative is the campaign days, which always take place on the second weekend in September. "Heimat shoppen" aims in particular to support the owner-managed retailers, service providers and restaurateurs, without whom there would be no lively town centers in many places. After all, they are more than just "suppliers", they are also employers, trainers, urban designers, event managers and supporters of clubs and associations.
Customers therefore have a direct influence on their immediate surroundings with their consumer behavior and help to maintain attractive and vibrant city centers and town centers. "Heimat shoppen" promotes a focus on service orientation and the experience character in order to also highlight the performance of the retail trade. Where possible, customers should be made aware of the impact of their purchasing decisions.
To make the objectives of the project more transparent, "6 good reasons" were also defined to illustrate the different facets of the campaign:
"Home shopping" strengthens your community / reduces the environmental impact / makes your community worth living in / secures jobs and training / supports events, clubs and initiatives / means shopping with neighbors and friends.
During the campaign days on September 11 and 12, retailers and many service providers and restaurateurs will join forces under the umbrella brand "Heimat shoppen". Advertising materials such as stickers, paper bags and balloons will be provided free of charge by the IHK Koblenz. In addition, joint campaigns by local retailers can turn the project into a success story.
- Please register by February 28, 2026 to Stadtmarketing Idar-Oberstein e.V., telephone 06781/64 6071, e-mail stadtmarketing@idar-oberstein.de or directly to the IHK regional office Idar-Oberstein, telephone 06781/9491-0 or e-mail io@koblenz.ihk.de. Participation is free of charge for retailers; registration with the IHK serves to order the advertising material. A review of past campaign days, the history of the campaign and inspiration for the campaign can be found on the official homepage www.heimat-shoppen.de. There is also a pool of ideas for accompanying events from previous years.