Press Release 7th May 2026

Diversity in the retail sector: BILLA promotes inclusion and participation in the labour market

From 4 to 8 May, BILLA and BILLA PLUS, in collaboration with NEBA Betriebsservice, organised an Inclusion Week at six stores in Liezen, Kapfenberg, Graz, Oberwart, Köflach and Mureck, giving young people with learning difficulties and disabilities the opportunity to gain practical insights into the world of food retail. Participants were able to familiarise themselves with different areas of work, gain initial experience of everyday working life and test their strengths in a real professional environment. The aim of the BILLA Inclusion Week is to create low-threshold access to the labour market and to facilitate entry into a long-term apprenticeship or employment relationship.

Three store employees in aprons and uniforms stand behind a checkout counter, smiling. Shelves of products are visible in the background.

From 4 to 8 May, young people with special needs and disabilities gained valuable work experience at six BILLA stores in Styria and southern Burgenland as part of BILLA Inclusion Week. / Copyright: © lebenshilfe ennstal., Reproduction for PR purposes free of charge

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At a glance

From 4 to 8 May, young people with learning difficulties and disabilities were able to gain valuable work experience at a total of six BILLA and BILLA PLUS stores in Styria and southern Burgenland as part of BILLA Inclusion Week
The aim of the initiative is to open up career prospects and promote long-term participation in the labour market

Around 18 per cent of people in Austria live with a disability. However, they are often confronted with prejudice and barriers both in their daily lives and at work. To offer everyone the same opportunities to participate in society and in everyday activities, such as shopping or working, it is necessary to implement appropriate, inclusive measures.

“At BILLA, inclusion is an integral part of our corporate culture. Inclusion Week demonstrates in concrete terms how important it is not only to give people with disabilities an insight into the workplace, but also to develop career prospects together with them. It is precisely these kinds of practical initiatives that are crucial for sustainably strengthening participation in the labour market,” explains Peter Gschiel, BILLA Sales Director for Styria and Southern Burgenland. “As a company operating throughout Austria, we see the inclusion of people with disabilities as both a social and a corporate responsibility. We are convinced that, as one of Austria’s largest employers, we must lead by example and proactively help shape the inclusion of people with disabilities,” adds Gschiel.

Support from politicians

The BILLA Inclusion Week was also well received by politicians. “The Inclusion Week sends a strong signal that participation in the labour market can be actively shaped. Giving people with disabilities real opportunities fosters personal responsibility, creates prospects and promotes a functioning social fabric,” said Hannes Amesbauer, a member of the Styrian Provincial Government. Graz City Councillor Robert Krotzer also emphasised the importance of such initiatives: “Inclusion must take place in everyday life and be visible precisely where people learn, work and meet one another. Projects such as Inclusion Week give participants the opportunity to develop real prospects and demonstrate that sustainable change can be achieved in partnership with businesses.”