The REWE Group: a trusted employer throughout Austria
With around 47,000 employees, the REWE Group is one of Austria’s largest private employers. A key aspect of this responsibility is the ongoing expansion of modern infrastructure. The REWE Group is therefore investing €1.5 billion in Austria as a business location by 2027, including €300 million in 2025 and a further €350 million this year.
“As one of the largest employers, we bear responsibility for stable jobs, regional value creation and a reliable supply for the population. Investments in our branch network or the ALPHA logistics centre are a clear commitment to Austria as a business location,” emphasised Marcel Haraszti, CEO of REWE International AG. “Efficient logistics, effective procurement, a clear commitment to domestic agriculture and the best employees are the key to stable prices, high quality and a reliable supply.”
A shared goal: a strong local area, modern healthcare
During the discussion, State Secretary Sepp Schellhorn emphasised the importance of the specialist food and drugstore retail sector as the backbone of regional supply and as a key economic factor. The dialogue with companies such as the REWE Group demonstrates just how essential practical framework conditions are for innovation and security of supply.
“Local supply means quality of life, not least in rural areas. If digital local suppliers can be operated without staff, then we must also have the courage to break new ground when it comes to opening hours. Our goal is clear: fewer rigid rules, greater security of supply and, above all, a better quality of life for local people,” said State Secretary Sepp Schellhorn.
The REWE Group reaffirms its commitment to continuing to invest in Austria, to acting responsibly as an employer, and to actively contributing to the further development of modern, unbureaucratic framework conditions.
Deregulation as the key to competitiveness
During the visit, the importance of an efficient and modern regulatory framework was also highlighted. The REWE Group expressly supports measures to reduce regulation and cut bureaucracy, as set out in the government’s programme.
A key point here is the planned liberalisation of opening hours for unstaffed local retail concepts. This enables the retail sector to respond more effectively to customers’ needs and implement innovative supply models. In rural areas in particular, flexible opening hours open up new opportunities to close existing supply gaps in a sustainable manner.
A new approach to local shopping: ADEG Hybrid and BILLA Boxes
The REWE Group is already demonstrating what modern local food retail can look like in practice through innovative concepts such as ADEG Hybrid stores and BILLA Boxes. These formats combine digital solutions with existing structures, thereby enabling greater access to food.
“Smaller communities in particular benefit from these flexible concepts. They ensure local supply where traditional models reach their economic limits,” says Haraszti. “The planned liberalisation of opening hours is a key lever for realising the full potential of these solutions – for the benefit of our customers throughout Austria.”
Harmonisation of building and spatial planning regulations as a further lever
In addition to opening hours, the REWE Group also called for greater standardisation of the various building and spatial planning regulations at the federal state level. At present, complex and inconsistent regulations are leading to delays and additional administrative burdens when it comes to constructing and modernising sites.
