Press Release 7th May 2025

Apprentices Lead Markets 2025: 240 Young Talents Manage Seven BILLA Stores in Austria

As part of the apprentice initiative “Apprentices Lead Markets,” BILLA is once again focusing on independent work and practical training this year. For the 13th time, committed young talents will take over the management of selected BILLA and BILLA PLUS stores. From May 5 to 9, seven locations in Austria will be managed by 240 apprentices – including stores in Vienna, Lower Austria, Upper Austria, Styria, Carinthia, and Salzburg. During this time, the apprentices will demonstrate their organizational talent, teamwork skills, and sense of responsibility while deepening their practical knowledge.

Three people in a supermarket, two wearing yellow shirts standing next to a middle-aged man in a suit. The young woman on the right is making a heart symbol with her hands. Fresh produce is visible in the background.

Harald Mießner, BILLA Executive Board Member for Sales (center), visited the young talents as part of the “Apprentices Lead Markets” initiative. / Copyright: © BILLA AG / Robert Harson, Reproduction for PR purposes free of charge

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At a glance

240 BILLA apprentices will independently manage seven stores from May 5 to 9 – in Vienna, Lower Austria, Upper Austria, Styria, Carinthia, and Salzburg
436 apprentices have started their training at BILLA in Austria this year – around 560 positions are still to be filled
A special highlight: The sales competition on the theme of “Mother's Day”

Harald Mießner, BILLA Executive Board Member for Sales: “It is always a joy to see how responsible and committed our apprentices are. The successful initiative ‘Apprentices Lead Markets’ has clearly shown for over ten years how much potential our young talents possess. I myself started as a trainee at REWE and completed my training as a retail salesman. Offering diverse career opportunities is essential for building, retaining, and motivating a strong team in the long term.”

The participants of “Apprentices Lead Markets” are excited:

The apprentices Norina Török (17 years) from Leonding and Theresa Palmstorfer (20 years) from Meggenhofen agree: “First and foremost, we want to thank you for allowing us to take this opportunity. We are looking forward to this adventure and hope that we can learn a lot of new things this week and take that back to our store.”

Elen Karassowitsch (19 years), an apprentice from Donnerskirchen by Lake Seeblick: “I look forward to proving my abilities as an apprentice and showing together in a team what can be achieved with cohesion and trust.”

Sales Competition for Mother's Day at “Apprentices Lead Markets”

A sales competition adds excitement to the apprentice week: Sales figures of specific products as well as creative merchandising in the store will be evaluated. The apprentices can not only be creative, but also demonstrate their acquired knowledge and sales skills. The competition is still open – the teams are certainly showing dedication and creativity.

BILLA is still looking for around 560 apprentices in Austria for diverse training in 2025

This year, 436 apprentices have started their training with BILLA across Austria, and around 560 positions are currently still available. BILLA places special emphasis on inclusion: Currently, 420 integrative apprentices are part of the company, supported by a comprehensive partner network. The opportunities for apprentices at BILLA are diverse and include eleven apprenticeship programs – including retail with focuses on grocery sales, delicatessen, and digital sales. Additionally, a dual apprenticeship as a retail and office clerk, an apprenticeship as an office clerk, as well as training as a confectioner, food technologist, system catering specialist, wholesale trade merchant, media specialist, and electrician are offered. An apprenticeship with or after a high school diploma is also possible. In addition to comprehensive training, BILLA apprentices benefit from performance-based bonuses, extensive further training programs, internships abroad, interim exams, additional qualifications, excursions, events, and compensation that exceeds the collective agreement.