Billa self-employed: New momentum brings expansion in the region

Billa self-employed: New momentum brings expansion in the region

Billa has heralded an exciting phase that brings both challenges and successes. Started in autumn 2022, the goal was to put a total of 100 merchants into operation by the end of 2026. However, the ambitious project has come across skepticism in public, especially because of the economic framework and disappointing intermediate goals. Instead of the planned 15 markets at the end of this year, the number assumes only ten privatized locations. For 2024 planned growth of 20 markets is currently questionable.

Nevertheless, Billa has shown a remarkable acceleration in his efforts in the past 30 days. Six new merchants were presented, which significantly increases the number for the current year. This should increase the total number of Billa merchants to 23 by the end of the year. As part of the two -year anniversary of the model, Billa also confirmed his objective to continue to put the ambitious plan, but this is now being postponed to the end of 2027.

extension to Upper Austria and Styria

Brian Beck, board member for wholesale and merchants, runs the business and has declared the selection of merchants to his highest priority. "We invest a lot of time in the selection process; quality is more important than speed," he said. In the development of the merchant model, teaching in Germany is also drawn from experience, where the concept is already successfully established. After the expansion in Upper Austria, the first independently managed Billa market will also open in Styria, further steps to Carinthia are planned for 2025. In addition, 22 new markets are to be privatized in the coming year, which is intended to increase the overall independent locations to 45.

prospects for external applicants

Another important update concerns the opening of the model for external applicants, which, according to Brian Beck and sales director Hermann Weiß, should take place from 2026. Up to this point, the allocation of the merchant positions is primarily reserved for internal employees, including experienced market managers and employees from the central area.

In addition to the new markets, there were also news about existing locations, such as the one in Breitenleerstraße in Vienna-Floridsdorf. This market has been extensively modernized in the past few weeks. Under the direction of Cenk Aydin, who took over the market a year ago, the sales area rose from 760 m² to 1,440 m², and the number of employees grew from 30 to 45. Among the new services in the market there is also a service robot that is at the side of the customer. Aydin emphasizes that the merchant model offers him freedom to fully implement his visions.

Overall, it turns out that Despite the initial difficulties with the merchant model, Billa is on the right track. The latest developments promise an exciting future for the chain and its customers. Further details on this topic can be found in a detailed report on medianet.at