Cooperative

As a company organized as a cooperative, we take responsibility for the ecological and social challenges of future generations.

Portrait of Lionel Souque

Lionel Souque

Chief Executive Officer

We are characterized by the close integration of headquarters, regions and retailers. Our retailers are actively involved in all strategic considerations. A shared value system forms the foundation of our cooperative.

Lionel Souque

Chief Executive Officer

  • The strength of the community

    What one person cannot do alone, many can do together – this conviction of F. W. Raiffeisen and H. Schulze-Delitzsch has been the foundation on which REWE GROUP has stood since its founding.

    Almost 100 years later, we still feel the pulse of the community in our cooperative DNA. In a rapidly changing world, we not only offer products, but also stability and security. Unlike many large corporations, we are not driven by short-term profits. Our cooperative structures enable us to focus on sustainable growth. We invest almost all of our earnings in the future of our members – a family that supports each other.

    We are proud of this. Together, as part of this strong community, we are shaping a better future – not just for ourselves, but for everyone.

  • A REWE salesperson is smiling and chatting with a customer in the store.

  • 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.

  • Solidarity and sustainability

    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.

  • Democratic and fair

    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.

  • On the pulse of time

    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.

  • Portrait of René Irrgang in the produce section of his market.

    “We are not just a supermarket, but also a meeting place for people.”

    Portrait of businessman René Irrgang.

  • Portrait of Erna and Daniel Marosi in front of their ADEG market. Half of the background is gray.

    The Marosi family – local suppliers with a heart

    A portrait of ADEG retailers Erna and Daniel Marosi – united by the values of REWE cooperatives.

  • With heart and hammer: Theodoros builds on toom

    Portrait of toom-retailer Theodoros Lazaridis.

  • Portrait of Konstantin Tönnies. He is holding a box of strawberries and smiling at the camera. The entrance to a REWE store can be seen in the background and a red bar covers part of the background.

    From looking through the lens to looking at the shelf: how Konstantin Tönnies is rediscovering retail

    Konstantin Tönnies on his path to retail.

  • Portrait of Thomas Nonn. The background is gray with a yellow bar.

    “Cooperatives are more relevant than ever”

    Divisional Director Thomas Nonn on the strength of REWE GROUP’s cooperative structure and its economic importance.

  • Portrait of Johannes Blome-Drees. The background is partly white with a brick wall and partly red.

    Cooperatives: Sustainability, success, crisis resilience

    Interview with cooperative expert Dr. Johannes Blome-Drees.

  • Portrait of REWE-retailer Semai Akale. Half of the background is red, while the other half shows the exterior of Akale's REWE store.

    “A 6 in the lottery” – A portrait of REWE-retailer Semai Akale

    About cooperative collaboration and working together as equals.

Portrait of Semai Akale

Semai Akale

REWE-retailer

For me personally, a cooperative means: all for one and one for all. It is a creative interplay of committed people – and in the end, something great is created.

Semai Akale

REWE-retailer

Black-and-white portrait of Daniel Dugandzic

Daniel Dugandzic

REWE-retailer

Cooperatives are the model for the future because we are not subject to any stock market prices, but work together in and on our companies.

Daniel Dugandzic

REWE-retailer

  • Billa-retailers: Maximum customer proximity

    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.

  • Portrait of Ivica Pobric. He is wearing a blue jacket with the ZooRoyal logo and smiling at the camera.
  • Three people are standing in a REWE supermarket and smiling at each other. Two people are shaking hands. Half of the background is red and the other half shows the supermarket's vegetable section.

Independent REWE- and nahkauf-retailers

Over 1,800 independent retailers belong to our REWE GROUP.

Retailers in Austria

17 BILLA and 292 ADEG-retailers in Austria

Retailers in Austria
Billa retailers 17
ADEG retailers 292

Self-employment with REWE

Over 2,000 REWE stores are run by self-employed people.

Multi-branch companies

20% of retailers are multi-business entrepreneurs.

  • How REWE GROUP works as a cooperative

    REWE GROUP is a two-tier cooperative. At one level are the five regional cooperatives and FürSie eG. On the other level are the Management Board, Supervisory Board and management. Retailers actively contribute their expertise and help shape the company’s development and operational business.

    The performance of retailers is REWE GROUP’s potential. We promote the entrepreneurial spirit and invest in the further development of our retailers.

thomas-nonn

Thomas Nonn

Executive Board Member for Independent Retail and Cooperative Germany

The performance of retailers is the potential of REWE GROUP. We promote the entrepreneurial spirit and invest in the further development of our retailers.

Thomas Nonn

Executive Board Member for Independent Retail and Cooperative Germany

  • Strong together in competition

    Thanks to cooperative cooperation, retailers and employees from the specialist departments work hand in hand. Together, we strengthen our competitiveness and secure a sustainable future. Our retailers get involved, for example, by supporting local associations.

  • Picture of Semai Akale at the market

    REWE-retailer Semai Akale: “I’ve wanted to be my own boss for a long time”

    Semai Akale started working at REWE 19 years ago as a part-time employee. Today, she successfully runs her own REWE store in Mainz.

  • Exterior view of the REWE supermarket in Ridders with a rainbow flag at the entrance.
  • Open newspaper with an article titled

    “The cooperative that creates great things”

    We also put the cooperative model in the political spotlight – with our own campaign. We place creative measures and demands with political decision-makers in a targeted manner – often with a wink.

  • REWE supermarket in the 50s

    Time travel through REWE GROUP history

    Almost 100 years of REWE GROUP history: from its foundation in the 20th century to its development into an international group. Find out more on our interactive history page.

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