# Billa

> Austrian supermarket chain that operates throughout Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe

**Wikidata**: [Q537781](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q537781)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billa_(supermarket))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/billa

## Summary

Billa is an Austrian supermarket chain that operates throughout Central, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe, founded in 1953 and headquartered in Wiener Neudorf, Austria. The company is owned and operated by the German retail conglomerate REWE Group and employs approximately 20,000 people across its operations. Billa serves as a major player in the European grocery retail market, operating under the BILLA brand name throughout its international footprint.

## Key Facts

- **Official Name:** BILLA (firma)
- **Founded:** 1953
- **Headquarters:** Wiener Neudorf, Mödling District, Lower Austria, Austria
- **Country of Origin:** Austria
- **Founder:** Karl Wlaschek (1917–2015), Austrian businessman
- **Parent Company:** REWE Group (German retail conglomerate, founded 1927)
- **Employees:** 20,000
- **Industry Classification:** Retail, Supermarket
- **Website(s):** https://www.billa.at/, https://www.billa.bg/, http://billa.it/
- **Wikidata Description:** Austrian supermarket chain that operates throughout Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe
- **Wikipedia Title:** Billa (supermarket)
- **Sitelink Count:** 28

## FAQs

**Who founded Billa?**
Billa was founded by Karl Wlaschek, an Austrian businessman who lived from 1917 to 2015. Wlaschek was a significant figure in the Austrian retail industry and held Austrian citizenship throughout his life.

**What company owns Billa?**
Billa is owned and operated by REWE Group, a German retail conglomerate headquartered in Germany. REWE Group was founded in 1927 and operates across multiple sectors including retail, wholesale, and tourism, with over 256,000 employees.

**Where is Billa headquartered?**
Billa's headquarters is located in Wiener Neudorf, a municipality in the Mödling District of Lower Austria, Austria.

**What countries does Billa operate in?**
Billa operates throughout Central, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe, with active websites for Austria (billa.at), Bulgaria (billa.bg), and Italy (billa.it).

**When was Billa founded?**
Billa was founded in 1953, making it over 70 years old as an established supermarket chain in the European retail market.

**How many employees does Billa have?**
Billa employs approximately 20,000 people across its operations in multiple European countries.

## Why It Matters

Billa matters as a significant player in the European grocery retail landscape because it represents the expansion of Austrian retail expertise into Central, Eastern, and Southeastern European markets. Founded in the post-World War II era, Billa grew alongside Austria's economic recovery and eventually became part of the powerful REWE Group, which is one of Europe's largest retail conglomerates. The chain's presence in multiple countries demonstrates the integration of European retail markets and the movement of Western European business models into emerging markets in Eastern Europe. Billa's operations have created thousands of jobs across the region and influenced shopping habits in the countries it serves. As part of REWE Group, Billa contributes to the group's substantial economic footprint of over 256,000 employees worldwide, making it a meaningful employer and economic force in the European retail sector.

## Notable For

- Operating as one of the oldest supermarket chains in Austria, established in 1953
- Maintaining a presence across three distinct European regions: Central, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe
- Being founded by Karl Wlaschek, a notable Austrian businessman who built a significant retail empire
- Operating under the BILLA brand, which has become a recognized name in European grocery retail
- Serving as part of REWE Group, one of Germany's largest retail conglomerates
- Employing approximately 20,000 people, making it a substantial employer in the retail sector

## Body

### History and Foundation

Billa was established in 1953 in Austria, emerging during a period of significant economic growth and modernization in the country. The company was founded by Karl Wlaschek, an Austrian businessman born in 1917 who would become a prominent figure in the retail industry. Wlaschek built Billa from its origins into a successful supermarket chain that would eventually expand beyond Austria's borders. The company was named BILLA, a brand that would become synonymous with grocery retail in Austria and eventually across multiple European countries.

### Corporate Structure and Ownership

Billa operates as part of REWE Group, a German retail conglomerate founded in 1927. REWE Group is headquartered in Germany and has grown to become one of the largest retail companies in Europe. The group operates across multiple business segments including retail, wholesale, and tourism, with industries spanning supermarket operations, wholesale trade, and related retail services. REWE Group employs between 213,000 and 256,000 people across its various divisions, making it a significant employer in the European retail sector. Billa functions as a key brand within the REWE Group's portfolio, representing the company's operations in Central, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe.

### Geographic Presence and Operations

Billa maintains its headquarters in Wiener Neudorf, a municipality located in the Mödling District in Lower Austria. From this location, the company coordinates its operations across multiple European countries. The chain operates under the BILLA brand in Austria, where it maintains its primary website at www.billa.at, as well as in Bulgaria through www.billa.bg, and in Italy via www.billa.it. This geographic spread covers the Central European region (Austria), Eastern Europe (Bulgaria), and Southeastern Europe (Italy), demonstrating Billa's role as a cross-border retail operator. The company's presence in these diverse markets reflects the broader pattern of European retail integration and the expansion of Western European retail concepts into emerging markets.

### Employment and Economic Impact

With approximately 20,000 employees, Billa represents a substantial employer in the European retail sector. The company's workforce is distributed across its operations in multiple countries, providing jobs in grocery retail, logistics, management, and corporate functions. This employment figure positions Billa as a meaningful contributor to local economies across its operational regions. The company's status as part of REWE Group further amplifies its economic significance, connecting Billa to the broader retail conglomerate that employs hundreds of thousands of people across Europe.

### Brand Classification and Industry Position

Billa operates within the retail and supermarket industries, classifications that reflect its core business of selling groceries and household goods to end consumers. The company functions both as a brand and as a business organization, undertaking commercial activity in the grocery sector. This dual classification recognizes Billa's role in both marketing and operations—as a brand identity that consumers recognize and trust, and as a commercial enterprise that undertakes the full range of activities associated with running a supermarket chain. The supermarket industry specifically refers to the large-format grocery store model that Billa exemplifies, distinguishing it from smaller convenience stores or specialty food retailers.

### Founder Profile

Karl Wlaschek (1917–2015) was the founder of Billa and a significant figure in Austrian business history. As an Austrian businessman, Wlaschek built Billa from its founding in 1953 into a successful retail chain. His occupation as a businessman and his Austrian citizenship define his connection to the entity he created. Wlaschek's entrepreneurial vision established Billa as a foundation of the Austrian retail landscape, which later expanded internationally under the REWE Group umbrella. His legacy persists through the continued operation of Billa stores across Europe.

## References

1. Source
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. Czech National Authority Database
4. [Source](https://shop.billa.at/unternehmen)
5. [Source](https://www.billa.at/)
6. Google Knowledge Graph
7. Name Suggestion Index
8. YouTube API