(from left to right): Daniela Schwarz-Knehtl (BILLA Head of Marketing) and Lisa Köb (BILLA Head of People & Culture) at the oe24 "Next Generation Award" 2026 in Vienna's Sofiensäle. | Photo ©Philipp Lipiarski The grocery retailer currently employs over 900 employees with disabilities and has thus fulfilled the legal employment requirement of four per cent in Austria since May 2024. Since 2015, BILLA has been running a number of initiatives to enable people with disabilities to participate equally and access work and everyday life. For example, young people with disabilities are given an insight into the world of work in the food retail sector during inclusion weeks and days - with the aim of arousing interest in an apprenticeship or a job at BILLA.

BILLA organises regular workshops entitled "Café Regional" to connect senior managers with external cooperation partners such as regional organisations and associations on the topic of inclusion.

For people on the autism spectrum and for customers and employees who are sensitive to stimuli, BILLA launched the "Quiet Hour" in 2021 to create a less stimulating shopping experience.

"We are delighted to receive this fantastic award, as it recognises what is really important to us at BILLA: our attitude, our cooperation and our ongoing commitment to creating a more inclusive working environment. The milestones we have achieved so far would not have been possible without the commitment of our employees. Their daily commitment makes all the difference. A big thank you for that," said Lisa Köb, BILLA Head of People & Culture, who accepted the award presented by the media group in Austria.