The young Karl Wlaschek founded in 1953, the discount perfumery chain WKW (commodity trading Karl Wlaschek), which included 45 branches by 1960. Karl Wlaschek decided to transfer its successful discount idea on the food industry. A year later the company received the new name "Billa" ("Cheap Shop"), and was on the - converted self-service system - revolutionary for that time. As early as 1965 with 109 stores BILLA reached an annual turnover of 275 million shillings (just under 20 million euros).
With the increasing demand for natural foods allowed BILLA 1994 by the introduction of the brand, yes! Of course, that the general public the highest quality organic foods could be offered at affordable prices. Yes! Of course this was the beginning of organic pioneer and a success story in itself: Today, Austria's largest food brand in more than 1,100 organic products in its range.
With the acquisition of the German REWE Group BLLA BILLA received in July 1996 under new ownership and became part of the REWE family, Europe's largest food retailers.