Press Release 1st July 2024

Groundbreaking ceremony for Austria's "greenest" BILLA in Vienna's Pilotengasse

Sustainability is a top priority at BILLA and is an integral part of the actions of the entire team. This is reflected in forward-looking product ranges with a focus on regional origin and a wide selection of plant-based and animal welfare products, as well as in stores that are as energy-efficient and resource-conserving as possible. This is also the case at Pilotengasse 76 in Vienna's 22nd district, where construction work has now begun on Austria's "greenest" BILLA store. The location will reopen at the end of November and will be characterized by energy efficiency, the promotion of biodiversity and climate-friendly measures to reduce heat.

Three men in suits stand holding shovels at a groundbreaking ceremony. Behind them is a large sign with building plans and company logos, including Rubner and Handler. There is a pile of dirt in the foreground and construction equipment in the background.

Robert Nagele (BILLA Board Member), Ernst Nevrivy (District Head of Vienna's 22nd district Donaustadt) and Eric Scharnitz (BILLA Sales Director) broke ground for Austria's "greenest" BILLA store in Vienna's Pilotengasse. / Copyright: © BILLA AG / Robert Harson - Abdruck zu redaktionellen Zwecken honorarfrei, Reproduction for PR purposes free of charge

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At a glance

Construction work has started on Austria's "greenest" BILLA store
The ground-breaking ceremony was held by BILLA CEO Robert Nagele and Sales Director Eric Scharnitz together with Ernst Nevrivy, head of the district of Donaustadt
A green roof with PV systems, green facades, shade trees and a natural meadow are among the extensive greening elements
Renewable energy and electric mobility options are a top priority at the site, and certified timber building materials are used in construction
The new building is scheduled to open in November 2024

Among other things, the store will be built with certified, unsealed exterior surfaces and wooden building materials from Austria. The ground-breaking ceremony was performed by BILLA Management Board member Robert Nagele and Sales Director Eric Scharnitz together with District Head Ernst Nevrivy.

Robert Nagele, BILLA Management Board member: "At BILLA, we are constantly working on a green future for food retailing. Especially when modernizing or building new stores, we focus on measures that have a positive effect on our climate wherever possible. Our new 'green' flagship store in Vienna's Pilotengasse will be even more sustainable than its predecessor, both inside and out."

Ernst Nevrivy, District Head of Vienna's 22nd district Donaustadt: "Donaustadt is a place of diversity, where urban development and natural landscapes go hand in hand. We are delighted that we will soon be able to count the 'greenest' BILLA in the whole of Austria among our district. It will unite this modern symbiosis in an exemplary way. We look forward to the future enrichment - for the people of Donaustadt and their guests as well as for our nature."

Eric Scharnitz, BILLA Sales Director: "After more than 30 years, our BILLA store in Pilotengasse will shine in 'green' splendor from November. We are delighted to be able to offer our customers a unique shopping experience in just a few months and at the same time provide ecological added value for the climate. The aim is to gather important experience at this location, which we will also use for other renovations and new buildings if it performs well."

The BILLA greening manual makes BILLA stores blossom

All the measures that make the BILLA store in Pilotengasse so "green" can be found in the BILLA greening handbook, which was developed by the BILLA team and landscape architect Karl Grimm. It serves as a guideline for the planning and implementation of outdoor facilities at BILLA and BILLA PLUS stores. The inspiration for the creation of such a handbook was to design stores that are both appealing to customers and ecologically valuable and at the highest technical level.