Yesterday, the store in the Jochen 1/2 business park opened its doors for the first time. To celebrate, free beer was offered – and throughout the opening weekend, customers received a 10% discount with the opening flyer. From 23 to 25 October, customers also had the chance to win free shopping daily. Winners were selected at random and received their purchases free of charge at checkout. Mayor Heinrich Hareter, Monsignor Franz Hillinger, Government Coordinator Robert Hergovich, and the Austrian Red Cross were present at the opening.
“The opening of the first PENNY sustainability store in Weiden am See is a strong signal of a responsible and future-oriented corporate strategy. Sustainability in retail means taking responsibility for the environment, society, and the region. I thank PENNY for choosing Burgenland for this pioneering project – a clear commitment to innovation and regional partnership,” said Government Coordinator Robert Hergovich.
Clear, organized, and impressively modern – PENNY shows how sustainable discount retail can be today. The parking area features around 685 m² of green space. Climbing aids, trees, and wildflower meadows create a natural setting and promote biodiversity. An insect hotel is also located on-site. Rainwater is absorbed directly on-site via infiltration boxes and trenches – a valuable contribution to protecting regional water resources. The building’s standout feature is its construction: spruce wood from local sources is the central design element, giving the store a warm, modern look while fulfilling key ecological functions. Thanks to its natural insulation properties, it ensures energy efficiency, requires no chemical coatings, and significantly reduces the store’s ecological footprint.
“This makes the PENNY store in Weiden am See a flagship project for the use of renewable resources in retail construction. I’m very proud of this project – it’s my personal showcase. For our customers, it means a modern, welcoming, and future-oriented shopping experience that actively contributes to environmental protection,” said Johannes Greller, Managing Director of PENNY Austria.
The store also leads the way in mobility: EV charging stations, bicycle parking with a service station, and ample car parking make climate-friendly travel easy. Heating is provided exclusively by waste heat from the refrigeration system, which runs on 100% green electricity. A rooftop photovoltaic system complements the concept.
For lighting, PENNY relies on the expertise of the Zumtobel Group. Energy-efficient LED solutions are used both inside and outside – including the new TECTON II light strip system. Sustainability and circularity were central to its development: high recycled content, modular design, and easy material recovery help conserve resources and extend product life cycles. All products are designed for low energy consumption and minimal maintenance throughout their lifecycle, meeting current and future EU Green Deal standards.
“We’re proud that our lighting solutions not only showcase products effectively but also contribute to a resource-efficient future,” said Patrick Czespiwa, Global Key Account Manager at Zumtobel Lighting. “Sustainability is a top priority in our product design, making our energy-efficient and circular lighting solutions a perfect match for PENNY’s sustainability efforts.”
On more than 700 m² of retail space, customers can expect the familiar PENNY quality. This includes dedicated Freshness Heroes who check fruit and vegetables every two hours, personalized service from the butchers, and freshly baked bread and pastries – mostly from local bakeries.
Key facts about the new PENNY store:
Since early October, the store proudly holds the greenpass Silver certificate – an international seal for climate-resilient and environmentally friendly construction.
Wood used:
75 m³ of glued laminated timber
Approx. 40 m³ for the main supporting structure
Approx. 15 m³ of 3-layer panels
Approx. 5 m³ for façade cladding
Total: approx. 135 m³ of wood used in the store!
Photovoltaic system: 68.8 kWP with approx. 168 modules (410 Wp each)
Lighting system: Connected load of 6.5 kW – roughly equivalent to a standard electric stove
Trees and plants: 15 trees plus various shrubs and bushes
CO₂ savings compared to a conventional concrete-built supermarket:
For a store with ~1,000 m² usable space, timber construction can save approx. 200–350 tons of CO₂e in embodied emissions. Additionally, the timber structure itself stores approx. 100–300 tons of CO₂.
Store overview:
Address: Betriebsgebiet Jochen 1/2, in 7100 Weiden am See
Opening hours: Monday to Friday 7:15 AM – 7:00 PM, Saturday 7:15 AM – 6:00 PM
Store Manager Alexandra Csoban-Varju: “I’m proud to lead such a special PENNY store in Weiden with my team. We look forward to offering our customers excellent service in a sustainable and modern environment.”
