Cooperative

The approximately 1,800 retailers who form the backbone of our company are not just entrepreneurs. They act locally, strengthen the community and are firmly rooted in the region. This solidarity makes us strong and competitive.

We don’t just look at today, we think across generations. Fifth-generation retailers show that our model works – sustainably and with grandchildren in mind. REWE Group is a living cooperative that faces the challenges of the future and is constantly developing the principles of cooperation and responsibility.

We live a shared value system based on solidarity, Sustainability, openness, exchange and inspiration. The close cooperation between headquarters, regions and retailers is a particular strength that sets us apart.

As a cooperative, we act democratically, responsibly and risk-consciously. We treat all members equally and promote their economic, social and cultural development. The members are responsible for the management and financial stability of our cooperative.

We regularly check whether our organization, processes and systems are optimally aligned with the needs of our independent entrepreneurs. We develop pragmatic solutions in a cross-divisional and entrepreneurial manner.

Cooperative? Sounds like yesterday to some – but it’s our advantage of tomorrow. Because our model has a lot to offer. It’s high time to show it!

Almost 100 years of cooperative history – that’s not just tradition, it’s the future. Because the strength of our model is particularly evident at a time when many companies are having to reinvent themselves: instead of short-term profit maximization, we stand for stability, regional responsibility and community action. Our cooperative foundation is not a nostalgic legacy, but a promise for the future – because it combines economic success with attitude.

What we take for granted, however, is hardly visible to many outside our organization – and is often underestimated.

We want to change that.

Starting your own business with your own store: what has long been standard in Germany is also becoming increasingly popular in Austria. Launched just a few years ago, the expanding BILLA-retailers model has now grown to become an important pillar of our retail business.

The aim is to continue the success by allowing retailers to benefit from the support of the cooperative. This model creates a robust structure that promotes individual and collective strengths and ensures the long-term success of the independent retailers.

Until 2022, ZooRoyal, REWE Group’s pet supplies retailer, was primarily known as an online store and as a private label and shop-in-shop format at REWE, PENNY and toom Baumarkt hardware stores. Since April 2022, the REWE Group company has opened four brick-and-mortar stores in the REWE North region in the Hamburg area – with great success!

ZooRoyal has now announced its national rollout. Ivica Pobric is the first ZooRoyal retailer. In the following story, he shares his experiences as the first independent ZooRoyal retailer.