Press Release 15th June 2026

Apprentice Week at BILLA: 217 apprentices ran seven BILLA stores in Austria

This year, 217 dedicated young professionals of tomorrow once again rose to the challenge and took on responsibility for a week at seven BILLA and BILLA PLUS stores in the federal states of Vienna, Lower Austria, Upper Austria, Styria, Carinthia, Salzburg and Burgenland. From 8 to 12 June, as part of BILLA’s ‘Apprentices Run Stores’ success initiative, the participants worked their way through all departments and gained valuable experience in day-to-day operations as well as in strategic planning and coordination. The apprentices impressed with their strategic thinking, commitment and team spirit. The young talents mastered the tasks of their new temporary management roles with enthusiasm and a strong sense of responsibility.

A group of people standing in front of a store with a "BILLA" sign, wearing casual clothes with many dressed in yellow shirts, smiling and giving thumbs up.

Mayor Sabrina Divoky (black dress); Fresh Produce Manager Cevin Jandl (behind her); Apprenticeship Supervisor Fritz Schwarzer (white shirt); Councillor for Economic Affairs Manuela Rommer-Sauerzapf (blue and white dress); Sales Manager Mr Goran Savic (blue jacket); Christoph Kainz, Member of the State Parliament, representative for the Baden district and mayor of the neighbouring municipality (white hair, light blue jacket); Lisa Köb, MA, Managing Director of REWE International Dienstleistungs GmbH, Director of People & Culture (red trousers); Store Manager Ms Dzenana Mesic (black jacket); Works Council member Ms Sonja Tippelt (red hair); Sales Manager Mr Gerhard Eichinger (behind her, wearing glasses); Lena Preglau, Senior Specialist for Apprenticeship and Young Talent Development, People & Culture at BILLA (blue and white dress) / Copyright: © BILLA AG / Robert Harson, Reproduction for PR purposes free of charge

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At a glance

From 8 to 12 June, 217 apprentices took charge of seven BILLA stores in Austria
As part of the ‘Apprentices Run Stores’ initiative to promote young talent, these up-and-coming talents demonstrated for the 14th year running that they can take on responsibility, coordinate teams and independently manage day-to-day store operations
BILLA is consistently investing in the specialists and managers of tomorrow and is training 262 new apprentices across Austria this year; a further 432 apprenticeship places are currently still available

Kai Pataky, BILLA Executive Board Member for Sales: “When our apprentices take on responsibility in the stores for a week, it becomes clear every year just how much potential our young talent has. ‘Apprentices Run Stores’ is therefore a project very close to our hearts and has been an integral part of our training programme for 14 years. It opens up new perspectives, fosters personal responsibility and demonstrates what our young talent is capable of. This year alone, we have been able to take on 262 new apprentices in Austria and, with 432 apprenticeship places still available, we look forward to hearing from motivated applicants.”

Highlights of Apprentice Week

A particular highlight of the apprentices’ week was the cross-team sales competition. During this, the apprentices drew on their creativity, specialist knowledge and sales skills to provide expert advice to customers on the purchase of selected products. The team with the best-selling products won. In addition, on Recruitment Day, the young talents explained directly in-store what it is about the retail sector that inspires them so much, and gave their potential successors an insight into the wide range of training opportunities at BILLA.

BILLA is looking for 432 motivated young talents across Austria

BILLA offers young talent a wide variety of training opportunities and areas where they can get involved and fulfil their potential. Across Austria, 262 apprentices have started their apprenticeships at BILLA this year, with a total of 432 apprenticeship places still available. The training programme at BILLA comprises eleven apprenticeship roles, including in the retail sector with a focus on food retail, delicatessen and digital sales. Alternatively, apprentices can also undertake a dual apprenticeship as a retail and office clerk, an apprenticeship as an office clerk, or training as a pastry chef, food technologist, catering specialist, wholesale clerk, media specialist and electrical engineer.

BILLA also places a clear emphasis on active inclusion: 395 apprentices on inclusive programmes are currently completing their training, supported by a broad network of partners. An apprenticeship at BILLA can also be started whilst studying for or immediately after the Matura. In addition to the practical training, apprentices enjoy numerous benefits – including performance-related bonuses, a wide range of further training opportunities, international work placements, interim exams, additional qualifications, excursions and events, as well as remuneration above the collective agreement rate.