Billa branch in Lavamünd: Renovation means closure for two months!

Billa branch in Lavamünd: Renovation means closure for two months!

In recent years, the situation in the food trade in the small town of Lavamünd has changed dramatically. If the supermarket used to attract large numbers of customers into its aisles a long time ago, there isn't much left of this hustle and bustle. An Adeg branch had to close due to economic difficulties, and the successor “Nah&Frisch” was also unable to survive after just six months. These developments posed challenges in supplying the approximately 2,757 residents, as only one Billa in Pfarrdorf and one warehouse branch remained to cover daily needs. Small newspaper reports that the warehouse branch is only open until 11 p.m. and also relies on self-service - customers have to scan and pay themselves.

In order to give the region's weakened food supply new impetus, the Rewe Group has now submitted plans to comprehensively modernize the existing Billa branch in Lavamünd. The renovation work is expected to take two months, although the exact date has not yet been set. The modernization is planned for the first half of 2026 and is expected to bring with it a number of changes. The plan is to renew the fresh food areas, replace refrigerated cabinets and completely fresh interior design. The switch to LED lighting is also on the agenda, and the aim is to expand the range, particularly in the fresh produce sector. Small newspaper emphasizes that the renovation should not only improve the shopping experience of customers, but also make the companies fit for the future.

Support during the renovation

The mayor of Lavamünd, Wolfgang Gallant, sees the need to offer support for the older generation, especially during the renovation period. It would be particularly important to him to have workers present in the warehouse branch to ensure that purchasing runs smoothly. Discussions on this should take place soon. The local residents hope that this will alleviate the supply gap caused by the renovation of the Billas.

Trend in the industry

The modernization of Billas is part of a larger strategy of the REWE Group in Austria. How Today reports, the group increased its total gross sales by 4.8% to 10.94 billion euros in 2024. The food retail sector, which includes BILLA, BILLA PLUS and PENNY, also shows positive figures with an increase in sales of 3.9%. A massive investment offensive of over 1.5 billion euros is planned by the end of 2027, which will focus on the modernization of branches and logistics centers with the aim of ensuring long-term supply, especially in the federal states of Lower Austria, Vienna and Burgenland.

BILLA itself was able to record growth of 3.8% in 2024 and, in addition to classic products, also has numerous sustainable own brands in its range. The “Yes! Of course” section is very popular, and for the past five years the branches have only been offering fresh meat from Austria. In an increasingly competitive industry, it is crucial for BILLA to adapt to consumer trends and find innovative solutions to stay in business.

The developments in Lavamünd show that despite the challenges in retail, there is great potential for improvement. The upcoming renovations could not only improve citizens' shopping opportunities, but also create a strong incentive for increased footfall, potentially preventing further setbacks in the neighborhood.

For the residents of the small town, it remains to be seen how the modernization plans will affect the supply situation - at the same time, a look is taken at the REWE Group's new strategies, which could point the way for the entire industry. 5min provides further insights and shows that the food market in Austria is constantly changing.