Inflation in Austria has shown signs of stubbornness throughout much of 2023, but recent data indicate a normalisation. However, the retail market continues to grapple with stagnation, as noted in a recent report by Statistics Austria.
In the first quarter of 2024, retail turnover rose by 3.2% year-on-year; yet, in real terms, it remained flat compared to last year. Notably, the retail trade in food, beverages, and tobacco products experienced a significant year-on-year turnover increase of 6.3%, translating to a price-adjusted rise of 1.9%.
As of June 2024, Austria's annual consumer price index was up 3.0% from the previous year, with a month-on-month price increase of 0.2%.
Within this framework, food and non-alcoholic beverages saw a 1.7% price increase, with food prices rising by 1.1% and non-alcoholic beverages by 6.1%. The most significant contributors to the CPI were restaurants and hotels, which surged by 6.9%, followed by housing, water, and energy costs, which increased by 2.5%.
Despite these challenges, the mood among retailers and consumers has shown improvement, particularly compared to neighbouring Germany. However, the overall business performance in the retail sector has been subdued, marked by a year in which no month saw real-term retail sales growth.
On the e-commerce front, online retail is experiencing notable growth, with spending increasing by 5% to reach €10.6 billion, driven by a remarkable 36% rise in mobile shopping. Nonetheless, a significant portion of online spending – as much as 54% – is directed toward overseas retailers, as noted by Handelsverband Österreich.
"Online retail is back on the economic fast track, but a large proportion of sales are flowing abroad," a spokesperson noted, while also expressing optimism for sustained sales growth into 2025.
Consumer behaviour in 2024 reflects a more conscious approach to shopping, with the recent Payback Summer Shopping Barometer revealing that 58% of Austrians identify as thrifty shoppers. Health-conscious choices are prevalent, with 61% preferring fresh and healthy products, and 47% favouring regional goods.
Torsten Maier, Director Sales at Payback Austria, told industry publication Cash that summer offers allow consumers, especially the younger Generation Z, to enjoy their time spent shopping.
"Shopping and leisure activities do not always have to be expensive, because there are now many promotions and attractive offers," he said.
Here's an overview of the top ten supermarket retail chains in Austria, according to their most recently-available full-year turnover. All data is supplied by Retail-Index.
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1. REWE
Turnover: €9.57 billion (2022)
REWE is the largest supermarket retail chain in Austria, with a turnover of €9.57 billion in 2022. The company operates under several banners, including ADEG, Billa, BIPA, Merkur, Penny, and Sutterlüty, and has a network of 2,521 stores across the country.
REWE is one of the largest employers and apprentice trainers in Austria.
2. SPAR
Turnover: €9 billion (2022)
SPAR is the second-largest supermarket retail chain in Austria with a turnover of €9 billion in 2022. The company operates under several banners, including EUROSPAR, INTERSPAR, SPAR Express, SPAR Gourmet, and SPAR Markt. SPAR has 1,497 outlets in Austria.
Hans K Reisch was appointed the new chief executive of SPAR Austria in November.
3. Hofer (Aldi)
Turnover: €4.4 billion (2022)
Hofer, owned by the German supermarket chain Aldi, is the third-largest supermarket retail chain in Austria, reporting a turnover of €4.4 billion in 2022. Established in 1968, Hofer has 530 outlets across Austria.
Hofer started operating in Austria as part of the ALDI SÜD group of companies. Last year, the group announced a number of management changes.
4. Lidl
Turnover: €1.6 billion (2022)
Lidl is the fourth-largest supermarket retail chain in Austria, with a turnover of €1.6 billion in 2022. The discounter boasts a network of 250 stores across Austria.
Lidl relies on domestic suppliers and producers for almost 50% of the food sold in its stores across Austria.
5. Mpreis
Turnover: €990 million (2022)
Mpreis is a regional supermarket retail chain in Austria with a turnover of €990 million as of 2022. The company has a network of 279 stores across the Tyrol region.
A longstanding family-owned business, it was founded in 1920 by Johann and Therese Mölk.
6. Metro C&C
Turnover: €846 million (2022)
Metro C&C is a wholesale operator with a turnover of €846 million in 2022. The company operates under the Metro banner and has 12 stores across Austria.
Overall, Metro operates in more than 30 countries and employs over 89,000 people worldwide.
7. Eurogast
Turnover: €500 million (2022)
Eurogast is a cooperative chain in Austria, which reported a turnover of €500 million as of 2022. The company has 19 stores across the country.
The Eurogast Group is an association of 11 private gastro wholesalers, which focuses fully on the needs of gastronomy, the hotel industry and large consumers.
8. Handelshaus Wedl
Turnover: €330 million (2022 - estimated)
Handelshaus Wedl is a wholesale and retail supermarket chain in Austria with an estimated turnover of €330 million as of 2022. The company operates under the C+C Wedl and Nah & Frisch banners and has over 400 stores across the country.
Founded in 1904 by Leopold Wedl, the family business has developed from a colonial goods store to one of the largest private food retailers in Austria.
9. Kastner
Turnover: €268 million (2022)
Kastner is a regional supermarket retail chain in Austria with a turnover of €268 million as of 2022. The company operates under the Abholmarkt, Nah & Frisch, and Real banners and has eight stores across Upper Austria.
Kaastner was originally established in 1828 as a small country department store.
10. Unimarkt
Turnover: €235 million (2022)
Part of the Pfeiffer Group, Unimarkt boasts a turnover of €235 million, as of 2022. The company operates under the C+C Pfeiffer, Unimarkt, and Zielpunkt banners and has 133 stores across Upper Austria.
About Retail-Index
Retail-Index is a specialist supplier of management information on consumer retail markets, provided by Veraart Research Group in the Netherlands. Its mission is to supply managers with up-to-date key information on retail markets in Europe and support them in their international expansion.
The company dates back to 1964, when it started as a market research and marketing consulting company for consumer products and services. In 1989, it started publishing written reports on various retail sectors in Europe. As of 2005, it publishes its information on retailers through the online database and curated datasheet exports available on www.retail-index.com. A team of researchers manages the data to reflect upon current developments in the markets, collected from an extensive number of sources.
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