Press Release 5th June 2026

From the board meeting to the BILLA checkout: Kai Pataky rolls up his sleeves as store manager at the BILLA location on Czerningasse in Vienna

Under the motto “Right in the thick of it instead of just watching from the sidelines,” Kai Pataky, BILLA’s Chief Sales Officer, traded his day-to-day management duties at the corporate headquarters for a BILLA uniform on the shop floor on June 3. The assignment was the grand prize in an internal BILLA competition: The employees at the store located at Czerningasse 4 in Vienna’s 2nd district had earned this special day through their outstanding dedication in their daily work. While the employees enjoyed their extra day off, Kai Pataky took over as temporary store manager—supported by four sales directors and his sales team, who actively helped run the store that day.

A smiling man in a light gray shirt and a smiling woman in a yellow shirt stand in a storeroom filled with packed trolleys. They are near a cart holding various food items and beverages.

Kai Pataky (BILLA Executive Board Member for Sales, left) took on the role of store manager at the BILLA store at Czerningasse 4 in Vienna’s Leopoldstadt district on June 3 as the grand prize winner of an internal competition. / Copyright: BILLA AG / Robert Harson, Reproduction for PR purposes free of charge

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At a glance

Right in the thick of things: Kai Pataky wins the top prize in an internal competition—the role of Market Manager in Vienna’s Leopoldstadt district
More teamwork, more opportunities: Pataky was also supported by four sales directors and his sales team at the Czerningasse location
Focus on Team Spirit: BILLA Store Day Highlights Flat Hierarchies and Genuine Collaboration
Appreciation that makes a difference: The team at the store at 4 Czerningasse was rewarded with an extra day off

Through this initiative, BILLA underscores the importance it places on team spirit, flat hierarchies, and genuine appreciation for the day-to-day operations of the food retail business.

A full range of services, from the bakery to the freshness check

In his role as store manager, Kai Pataky was responsible for coordinating operations and BILLA processes related to fresh produce and merchandise: Together, the team stocked the freshly delivered goods, baked fresh pastries in the oven, and prepared popular BILLA in-house products such as fresh delicacies, crisp salads, and bite-sized fruit for customers. Later in the day, the schedule included regular, two-hourly freshness checks to ensure the high quality BILLA is known for. Restocking the shelves and continuously baking more goods were also part of the day’s diverse tasks.

Market days at BILLA are a regular occurance

Market days at BILLA are not a one-time event, but an integral part of everyday work: All employees—especially managers—regularly participate in these on-site assignments. This direct change of perspective fosters a deep understanding of daily operations, challenges, and needs on the ground. At the same time, it strengthens collaboration between headquarters and the stores and ensures that decisions are made in a practical and customer-oriented manner. The store day is thus not only an important learning opportunity but also a living commitment to closeness, team spirit, and quality in everyday life at BILLA.

Kai Pataky, BILLA Executive Board Member for Sales: “Especially for me as a member of the Executive Board, it’s important to regularly engage with the challenges and daily routines of our many employees and to gain firsthand experience in the stores. Our store employees do a fantastic job every day. It was a personal honor for me to represent the Czerningasse team and give them a day off as a thank you. Working side by side in the stores is indispensable for better understanding, experiencing, and further developing the processes and needs of our teams, as well as the high expectations of our customers in their everyday shopping.”