Commerce & Services Austria

Austria hosts numerous supermarket and hypermarket chains offering a wide range of products and price categories.

 

REWE Group:

   - Billa: One of the largest and most renowned retailers in Austria, with over 1,100 stores nationwide; offers a large variety of products, including branded and budget items under its own label.

   - Penny Markt: A discount store chain owned by REWE, with around 300 branches in Austria.

   - Billa Plus: A hypermarket offering a wide range of groceries and household items.

 

SPAR Group:

   - Includes brands such as SPAR, EUROSPAR, and INTERSPAR; has about 1,620 stores throughout Austria. INTERSPAR and EUROSPAR offer a wider variety of products and are often hypermarkets with a large selection of groceries and non-food items.

   - SPAR Gourmet — premium stores aimed at customers in central areas, offering high-quality products.

 

Hofer:

   - The Austrian branch of the German Aldi chain; has about 450 stores and is the largest discount chain in the country; offers a limited range of products at low prices.

 

Lidl:

   - A German retailer present in Austria with more than 200 stores; offers a limited range of products at competitive prices.

 

Mpreis:

   - A regional supermarket chain focused mainly in Tyrol and its surroundings; has about 279 stores and offers a variety of local and traditional products.

 

Unimarkt:

   - A supermarket chain operating on a franchise model with over 100 stores across the country; offers both its own brands and a variety of mid-range and budget category products.

 

Other Supermarket Chains

 

- Metro: A hypermarket and wholesale retailer with 12 branches focused on business clients, including hotels and restaurants.

- Nah & Frisch: A network of small local stores with more than 400 branches, mainly spread in rural areas and small towns.

- Denn’s Biomarkt and Basic: Stores specializing in organic and eco-friendly products.

 

Useful Information:

Supermarkets in Austria usually open at 8 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. On Sundays, most stores are closed, although small shops at train stations and gas stations may be open. Most supermarkets offer home delivery or pick-up services, which can be convenient for immigrants, especially if they live in major cities.

In Austria, as in most European countries, there are many online stores offering a wide range of products. Below are the largest and most popular online stores, distinguished by sales volume and traffic:

Amazon.de is the largest online store in Austria by sales volume. In 2023, it generated 980.5 million USD, making it the undisputed leader in the e-commerce market in the country. Most purchases come from electronics and general consumer goods. Amazon offers a vast selection of products and services, including books, electronics, fashion, groceries, and much more.

Zalando.at is a popular online fashion and shoe store, ranking second in sales in Austria with an annual revenue of 363 million USD in 2023. Zalando offers a wide range of clothing, shoes, and accessories from many brands and is often used for fashion shopping by Austrians and residents of other European countries.

IKEA.com is also actively present in Austria's online space and ranks third in sales with annual revenue of 282.8 million USD. IKEA.com specializes in selling furniture and home goods, and like in physical stores, offers affordable and stylish interior items.

Willhaben.at is Austria's largest online marketplace, offering a diverse range of goods from used cars to real estate and electronic devices. It is particularly popular for buying and selling used items, as well as searching for real estate and job vacancies. Willhaben ranks second in traffic among online stores and marketplaces in Austria as of July 2024.

Ebay.at is another popular platform in Austria, specializing in the sale of new and used items. The site offers a wide range of categories, from electronics and fashion to collectibles and home decor. Ebay is known for its auctions and the ability to purchase items at a fixed price.

Geizhals.at is a price comparison platform that helps users find the best deals online. This site is popular among shoppers looking for the best prices on electronics, household appliances, and other goods. As of July 2024, Geizhals ranks fifth among the most visited online stores in Austria.

Shop-Apotheke.at is a leading online pharmacy store in Austria, offering a wide selection of medicines, vitamins, and other health and care products. The store also provides consultations on pharmaceutical products, making it a convenient choice for those who prefer to shop online.

In Austria, postal services are provided by Austrian Post, the country's leading logistics and postal operator. The postal service offers a variety of services that can be divided into several main categories: mail delivery, parcels, international postal services, and special additional services.

Types of postal shipments: Austrian Post offers two main types of mail delivery – PRIORITY and ECO. PRIORITY is intended for urgent deliveries, with next business day delivery within Austria and faster international delivery times. ECO, on the other hand, is more economical but takes 2-3 business days for domestic delivery.

   

Convenience and digital services: Postal services in Austria are integrated with modern technologies, offering features like real-time shipment tracking, the ability to redirect and delay deliveries. Customers can register on a special online platform to manage deliveries and other postal services.

Special services: In addition to standard services, there are a number of additional options, such as sending valuable letters and parcels with mandatory signature upon delivery, as well as the "AllesPost" service, which allows receiving goods from Germany if sellers do not deliver to Austria.

Apart from the national postal service, several private courier and logistics companies offer both domestic and international delivery services:

DHL Express – one of the leading international courier services; offers fast worldwide delivery, including express delivery and real-time shipment tracking; the service also offers specialized solutions for businesses, such as document and high-security cargo delivery.

DPD Austria – a popular courier service operating both nationally and internationally; known for its flexible delivery system and the ability to send both private and business shipments; offers tracking and redirection solutions in case of recipient absence.

Hermes Austria – a European delivery service specializing in delivering goods from online stores; provides delivery services for both small parcels and large shipments, and offers convenient collection points throughout the country.

UPS – one of the largest international logistics companies, offering fast delivery, tracking services, and the option to insure shipments; especially popular among business clients due to extensive express delivery capabilities to various countries worldwide.

GLS Austria – a courier service that operates both in Austria and throughout Europe; offers different delivery rates depending on the speed and volume of shipments; allows for parcel tracking and redirection to nearby collection points.

In Austria, telecommunications services (TV, Internet, and phone) are provided by several major and local companies, each offering different packages and services. The main operators in the market are A1, Magenta, and Drei, which offer both individual services and comprehensive solutions for TV, internet, and telephony.

A1 Telekom Austria – the largest operator in the country, covering more than 7 million users. A1 offers packages that include internet, television, and landline telephony. One of the popular options is the A1 Xplore TV service, which includes up to 190 channels, many of which are broadcast in HD. Users can also access video-on-demand (VoD) services, making this package appealing to multimedia content enthusiasts. A1 also offers internet packages with various speeds, including both DSL and fiber-optic solutions.

Magenta Telekom – provides a wide range of services, including high-speed internet, mobile communication, and television. One of the popular services is Magenta TV, which supports streaming without the need to install satellite or cable equipment. Magenta is also known for its flexible rates for internet and mobile communication, as well as high-speed internet through fiber-optic networks.

Drei (Hutchison Drei) – the third largest operator in Austria, offering mobile communication, internet, and TV services. Among popular services is Drei TV, which allows viewing more than 50 channels through an app, as well as using pause and replay functions. Drei also offers flexible internet rates, including access to the 5G network.

Many companies provide comprehensive packages that combine internet, television, and landline communication, allowing savings on individual services. Special rates are also offered for students and small businesses.

In addition to national companies, there are several regional providers in Austria, such as Telematica and COSYS, which offer internet and phone services in certain regions. These operators may be of interest to users living outside major cities, thanks to a more personalized approach and competitive prices.

In Austria, there are many popular food and goods delivery services that are in demand among locals and immigrants. 

Lieferando.at is one of the most popular platforms for ordering food in Austria; you can order food from more than 3500 restaurants across the country; the platform supports online payment and cash transactions.

Mjam – offers delivery of food, groceries, and essential goods; it works with many restaurants and supermarkets, allowing users to easily order not only food but also daily necessities.

Gurkerl.at specializes in delivering fresh produce and goods from supermarkets; it provides high-quality products, including organic and farmer's items. 

For ordering various kinds of goods (from electronics to clothing), residents in Austria often use major international online stores such as Amazon, Zalando, Ikea, and HM.com. These platforms offer a vast range of products with fast delivery, making them popular among shoppers.

HelloFresh – for those who prefer cooking at home but want to save time shopping, offers delivery of cooking ingredient kits. The service provides recipes and pre-prepared ingredients for a complete dinner, simplifying the cooking process.

The opening hours of stores and services in Austria can vary depending on the region and type of store. However, there are general trends that are useful for immigrants and tourists to know.

- Regular stores (clothing, electronics, etc.) are usually open from 9:00 AM to 6:30 PM from Monday to Friday, and on Saturdays until 5:00-6:00 PM. Almost all stores are closed on Sundays.

- Supermarkets typically operate from 7:30-8:00 AM to 7:30-8:00 PM on weekdays. In large cities like Vienna, some supermarkets may be open until 10:00 PM or 11:00 PM, but this is more the exception. On Saturday, they close earlier, and most supermarkets do not operate on Sundays. Exceptions may include stores located at train stations and airports.

- Bank hours: banks usually operate from 8:00 AM to 12:30 PM and from 1:30 PM to 3:00-5:00 PM, depending on the day of the week.

- Public holidays: in Austria, on public holidays, stores and services are also closed, except in tourist areas and transport hubs.

In Austria, there is a wide range of both local and international brands covering various categories of goods and services. 

Among the most famous Austrian brands are the following:

Red Bull – the most recognizable Austrian brand, known for its energy drinks and active support for sports and extreme events.

Spar – the largest supermarket chain, offering food and household goods.

Swarovski – a renowned brand specializing in jewelry and crystal products.

ÖBB – the Austrian railway company, providing passenger and freight transportation across the country and beyond.

OMV – a leading energy company engaged in the exploration and processing of oil and gas.

 

International brands:

Ikea – a Swedish furniture company offering a wide selection of furniture and home goods.

H&M – an international fashion retailer present throughout Austria.

Lidl and Hofer (the local name for Aldi) – popular international supermarket chains focusing on affordable everyday goods.

 

Austria is a country with a strong economy and high purchasing power, making it attractive in the eyes of companies who invariably consider it when working in the European market. Thus, you can find almost all the brands you're familiar with in this beautiful country!

Etiquette and shopping culture in Austria are shaped by traditions, politeness, and respect for personal space. Here are the main aspects to consider when visiting stores and other retail outlets in the country:

Formal greetings and politeness: In Austria, it is customary to greet shopkeepers upon entering stores with phrases like “Guten Morgen” (good morning) or “Guten Tag” (good day). Politeness and formal greetings are important in any interaction, so it is advisable to use respectful addresses such as “Herr” (Mr.) or “Frau” (Mrs.) when addressing staff.

Punctuality: Austrians place great importance on punctuality. This extends to business meetings and personal events, including shopping. If a meeting with a vendor or a visit to a service center is scheduled, it is important to arrive on time.

Respect for personal space: In Austria, it is customary to maintain distance in communication. When shopping, it's important not to get too close to other customers and employees, as well as to avoid overly active gestures.

Dressing appropriately: In Austria, a neat and elegant appearance is appreciated, even when visiting shops. Women often choose dresses or formal outfits, and men wear trousers and shirts. This is particularly relevant when visiting more formal stores or events.

Service features:

Service may be formal: In some cases, store staff may appear reserved or even slightly brusque. This should not be taken as disrespect—it is most likely part of the cultural norm, and the salespeople do not seek to show excessive emotion.

 

Tipping and payment: It is customary to leave a tip in restaurants and cafes, usually around 10% of the bill. In shops, there is no need to tip, but gratitude is welcome for good service.

Important points:

- Opening hours: Shops close earlier than in many other countries, especially on Saturdays. Sunday is considered a day off for most stores.

- Cultural features: Austrians value silence and tranquility, especially in the evening, so it is important to avoid loud conversations and aggressive behavior, particularly in public places.

In Austria, sales and discounts play a significant role in shopping culture, offering residents and tourists the opportunity to save on various goods. 

Summer sale season 

   Summer sales usually start in July and last until the end of August. During this time, significant discounts on summer clothes, footwear, and accessories can be found. Discounts can reach up to 70%, especially towards the end of the sale.

Winter sale season 

   After Christmas, starting in January and continuing until mid-February, the winter sale season kicks off. This is a time when stores offer discounts on winter clothes, footwear, and household goods. Discounts can also reach up to 70%, especially in the final phase of the sales.

Other Important Discount Periods

- Black Friday and Cyber Monday: These international discount days are also actively held in Austria. Both online and offline shops offer significant discounts at the end of November.

- Seasonal Discounts: Many stores hold sales before the change of seasons — in spring and autumn, to make room for new collections.

- Christmas Promotions: Ahead of Christmas, some shops offer special discounts on gifts and holiday items.

Features: Outlet stores are also popular in Austria, where you can buy brands at a discount all year round. For example, Designer Outlet Parndorf is one of the largest centers offering discounts on premium brands.

The household waste disposal and recycling system in Austria is one of the most efficient in Europe, emphasizing waste sorting and recycling. The main principles of the Austrian waste management system include sustainability, environmental protection, and resource conservation. The primary goal is the prevention of waste generation and its recycling for reuse.

Waste Sorting

   Austria uses a color-coded system of containers to help residents effectively sort waste. Each residence and city street has containers for paper (red), plastic (yellow), organic waste, and glass (white and green for clear and colored glass). Metal waste is collected in blue containers, and small plastic packages are placed in yellow ones. Violations of waste separation rules, such as throwing plastic into the paper container or mixing glass with other materials, may result in fines. In major cities like Vienna, fines can range from 50 to 100 euros for the first violation. In cases of repeated offenses, the fines may increase.

Material Recycling

   - Paper: can be recycled up to six times, and many packaging materials are made from recycled paper.

   - Plastic: plastic bottles and packaging are sorted and recycled for reuse. About 75% of plastic bottles are recycled.

   - Glass: clear and colored glass are collected separately. Glass can be recycled almost indefinitely.

   - Metal: recycling aluminum requires only 5% of the energy compared to producing new material, making metal recycling particularly beneficial.

Energy from Waste:

   Non-recyclable plastic is incinerated at waste-to-energy plants, where the released energy is used to heat public buildings and residential areas. This helps reduce dependency on fossil fuels.