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Read the latest headlines about developments in the international retail and consumer industry in Vienna and Austria
Vienna International Retail and Consumer Industry News
Don't Smoke - Austria to Finally Ban Smoking in Bars and Restaurants
Over 1 year after the smoking ban in gastronomy should have come into force, the parliament has once again voted in favour and is to come into force on 1 November 2019. The ban will also apply to shishas and e-cigarettes, with the exception of guest gardens. Through the smoking ban alone, there should be 1,000 fewer deaths per year from passive smoking.
July 4, 2019 · Updated: July 4, 2019; 20:44
Uber Ridesharing Threatens to Retreat from Austria
The US transportation network company Uber wants to mobilise against the taxi and rental car reform in Austria with a petition. The new law would be a setback for Austria in several respects. If the new law is passed on 3 July, we will no longer be able to offer services such as UberX, according to a statement by Uber.
June 27, 2019
Russia Expands Network in Upper Austria
Wolfgang Mayer of the company Backaldrin was elected Honorary Consul of the Russian Federation for Upper Austria in Asten/Upper Austria by the Russian Ambassador in Austria, H.E. Dmitrij Ljubinskij. After the already established Honorary Consulates in Innsbruck and Bludenz, he thus takes over the third Russian Honorary Consulate in Austria. His task is to look after the 3000 Russians in Upper Austria and to promote culture and education.
May 16, 2019
McDonald's Austria: Record Year for System Catering Market Leader
With an increase of 52 million euros (+ 8%), the Austrian subsidiary of the US system gastronomy market leader McDonald's achieved sales of 674 million euros in 2018.
April 9, 2019
Casinos Austria Appoints Bettina Glatz-Kremsner as New CEO
Ms Bettina Glatz-Kremsner succeeds Mr Alexander Labak as Director of the Management Board of Casinos Austria AG.
April 6, 2019
Palais Esterházy: Oldest Building on Vienna's Kärntner Strasse Restored
Casino Wien, a subsidiary of CASAG Casinos Austria AG, is investing in the preservation of the venerable Palais Esterházy at Wiener Kärntner Straße 41. The heritage-protected facade will be restorated from summer 2019.
April 6, 2019
Burger King Austria Acquires Rosenberger Motorway Restaurants
The Austrian franchisee TQSR of the US fast food chain Burger King has purchased 100% of the shares in Rosenberger Restaurant GmbH, which is currently undergoing restructuring, and is financing the 20% quota offered to creditors in the restructuring plan. The transaction value for the 14 Rosenberger Restaurant locations, including the net financial liabilities assumed, amounts to approximately EUR 9 million.
February 27, 2019
First BMW Z4 'Made in Austria' Has just Rolled off the Production Line
The new BMW Z4 has been rolling off Magna Steyr's production line for a few days now. The sporty roadster is produced exclusively in Austria for the entire world market. The BMW Z4 is - besides the BMW 5 Series - already the second BMW car that is currently produced in Austria. This emphasizes and strengthens the BMW Group's commitment to Austria as a business location.
November 22, 2018
Alexander Labak Leaves: Casinos-Austria Seeking New CEO
At yesterday's meeting of the Casinos Austria Supervisory Board, the Management Board presented plans for modernising and strengthening the casino business in Austria and internationally. However, a bang came from CEO Alexander Labak, who will leave the company at the end of 2019.
September 26, 2018
Bodyguard - The Musical at the Ronacher in Vienna
On 27 September 2018, the Austrian premiere of the successful international production "Bodyguard" will take place in Vienna's Ronacher, based on one of the greatest blockbusters of all time. Bodyguard replaces the cult musical "Dance of the Vampires", which recently celebrated its acclaimed Dernière.
September 14, 2018
Cooperation with the Indian Film Industry: Bollywood in Austria
Indian production companies visit potential film locations in Austria for future films. With the aim of exploring Austria as a backdrop for future Bollywood films, six producers from India's most renowned production houses will be visiting Austria from 9 to 15 September 2018.
September 7, 2018
Textile Manufacturer Wolford Leaves Vienna Prime Market
The textile group Wolford, listed on the Vienna Stock Exchange, is moving from the Prime Market to the Standard Market.
September 6, 2018
Bosch Austria Boosts Sales by 8% and Invests €120 Million in R&D
During the 2017 fiscal year, Bosch increased its sales on the Austrian market by around eight percent to 1.25 billion euros. "We have achieved record sales. All business sectors contributed to the positive development," said Dr. Klaus Peter Fouquet, sole board member of Robert Bosch AG and representative of the Bosch Group in Austria.
June 14, 2018
Takeover of Serbian Sugar Producer Sunoko by Agrana on Hold
The takeover of the Serbian sugar manufacturer Sunoko by the Austrian sugar, starch and fruit manufacturer Agrana has failed due to problems on the European sugar market.
May 4, 2018
Hongkong Holding Company Completes Acquisition of Majority Stake in Austrian Lingerie Brand Wolford
Following the acquisition of 50.87% of the shares (for at least €36M) from the previous majority shareholders, Fosun Industrial Holdings Limited (Hong Kong Central) is now the new main shareholder of Wolford. The Hongkong financial investor, which is the investment vehicle of Shanghai based Fosun Group, systematically invests in the global fashion and consumer goods industry, and the management of its growing portfolio in the fashion sector was recently put in the hands of Fosun Fashion Group, which holds stakes in the German Tom Tailor Group and the French luxury brand Lanvin, amongst other holdings
May 4, 2018
OMV Receives Political Support for €1.3 Billion Purchase of Two UAE Oil Fields
An economic delegation led by Federal Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, with the participation of Margarete Schramböck, Minister of Economic Affairs, OMV CEO Rainer Seele and a small delegation had the main objective of supporting OMV in the concession agreement for the acquisition of a 20% stake in two fields offshore Abu Dhabi from ADNOC.
May 4, 2018
Agrana: Dividend Proposal of € 4.50 Per Share for the 2017|18 Financial Year
The Management Board of Agrana has decided to propose a dividend payout in the amount of EUR 4.50 per share for the 2017|18 financial year (dividend for 2016|17: EUR 4.00 per share) to the 31st Annual General Meeting to be held on 6 July 2018.
April 24, 2018
Toys "R" Us in Austria Gets Northern Irish Owner
The Northern Irish toy dealer Smyths Toys takes over the 15 Toys "R" Us toy stores in Austria.
April 23, 2018
Casinos Austria International Will Not Be Sold
Casinos Austria AG (CASAG) stops the sale of Casinos Austria International (CAI).
April 11, 2018
Mainland Chinese Billionaire Guo Guangchang to Take Over Austrian Asset Wolford AG
Shanghai based Fosun Group through its Hong Kong (Central) vehicle Fosun Industrial Holdings Limited (Fosun) has taken over control of one of Austria's last remaining lingerie assets. According to Wolford, its new strategic core shareholder has agreed to pay at least €36M for a 50.87% majority stake in Wolford AG. Wolford has been struggling with management problems for some time. It also has been loss making for several years. Fosun Industrial Holdings Limited, a subsidiary of Fosun International Limited (British Virgin Islands) is an investment holding company with interests in asset management and entertainment services. Fosun wants full control of the lingerie maker. Upon the closing of the share purchase agreement Fosun intends to launch a takeover offer to the remaining shareholders. Fosun was co-founded in 1992 by Fudan graduate Guo Guangchang who meanwhile became the 34th richest person in China with a net worth of €7 billion.
March 3, 2018
Novomatic Takeover of Australian Rival Delayed
The planned investment of the Lower-Austrian gambling group Novomatic in the Australian rival Ainsworth Game Technology has been delayed. Ainsworth will postpone general assembly scheduled for June 3 by up to 30 days. It is at the meeting that shareholders are supposed to approve the deal.
May 25, 2016
Bawag Laying Off Further 180 to 200 Employees
Bawag Bank will optimize its branches and in course of the process will cut 180 to 200 jobs. 70 to 80 of the affected employees are supposed to be sent back to their actual employers - Post AG.
May 3, 2016
Czechs Jirí Šmejc and Karel Komárek Want to Take Control of Casinos Austria
The Czech consortium Austrian Gaming Holding (AGH) of billionaires Jirí Šmejc and Karel Komárek, headquartered in Prague may soon be new majority owner of Casinos Austria AG. According to the Federal Competition Authority (BWB), Austrian Gaming Holding intends to increase one hand its stake in Medial to 88.89 percent and on the other hand to acquire 16.79 percent of Casinos Austria AG shares. Through these acquisitions, AGH will hold directly or indirectly 50.82 percent of the shares and thus acquire sole control of the CASAG.
January 21, 2016
Black Diamond Equipment Relocates European Headquarters from Switzerland to Austria
Producer of climbing, skiing, mountain sports equipment Black Diamond will move its European headquarters from Basel to Innsbruck. Tim Bantle has been appointed Managing Director. Black Diamond is actively recruiting staff for the new office, with approximately 35 jobs across sales, marketing, customer service, operations and finance. The new office is expected to be operational in May 2016. Black Diamond Equipment was established in 1989 and has its headquarters in Salt Lake City in Utah.
January 14, 2016
EU to Crack Down on Postal Rip-Offs including Austrian Post
The FT reports that Brussels is preparing a regulatory crackdown against rip-off pricing by national postal operators on cross-border parcel deliveries. According to a study, cross-border parcel deliveries are often five times more expensive than identical trips on the domestic market. While the price of a standard 2 kg parcel delivery in Austria with the national postal operator is €4.44, to have that same parcel send to neighbouring Italy would cost €14. Sending the same parcel back from Italy to Austria will rise to €25. In order to connect the common market, the EU wants to develop the potential of e-commerce and to boost cross-border trade. According to the FT, a spokeswoman of the European Commission said that early next year the Commission will “launch measures to enhance price transparency and regulatory oversight” of the European parcel delivery market.
December 22, 2015
Insolvent DIY Chain BauMax Ended Its Operations
Insolvent DIY chain BauMax ended its operations completely on Friday with many stores sold to Obi of Germany. Seven stores did not attract a buyer. Some 700 employees in total are at risk of losing their jobs.
October 30, 2015
Bank Austria Sells Prominent Property "The Mall" to Morgan Stanley Consortium
UniCredit Bank Austria AG announces that the purchase agreement for the shopping centre The Mall at Wien Mitte was signed with Morgan Stanley Real Estate Investing (MSREI), pending approval by the antitrust authorities.
October 22, 2015
The Miss Earth Beauty Pageant is Coming to Vienna
Miss Earth, an annual international beauty pageant promoting environmental awareness is celebrating its 15th year in Vienna. Along with its rivals Miss Universe and Miss World, Miss Earth is one of the three largest beauty pageants in the world in terms of the number of national-level competitions to participate in the world finals and one of the most publicized beauty contests in the world. The reigning titleholders dedicate their year to promote specific projects and often address issues concerning the environment and other global issues. Climate Change will be the focus of Miss Earth for its Crystal Year celebration. Around 90 delegates from all over the world will be arriving on November 18, to start their activities and converge at the Marx Halle in Vienna on December 5, 2015 for the Coronation Night.
October 9, 2015
It’s all about Fashion during Vienna's Fashion Week
Until September 13th it’s all about fashion in Vienna’s Museums-Quartier. About 70 designers show their collections: at fashion shows and in the adjacent sales area in Quartier21, which invites visitors to go shopping. This year marks the seventh edition of the MQ Vienna Fashion Week. Last year, over 10,000 visitors came to the fashion event.
September 8, 2015
Niki Lauda Acquires Stakes in Benko's Real Estate Firms
The private foundation of former Formula 1 driver Niki Lauda will acquire 1% of Signa Prime and a 10% stake in Signa Retail.
July 17, 2015
Vienna Biennale 2015: Ideas for Change
Between June 11 and October 4, 2015 the Austrian capital will host its first ever interdisciplinary Biennale: this year’s edition aims to bring together art, design and architecture, and harness the power of creative ideas and artistic projects in its search for positive change.
June 1, 2015
The Eurovision Song Contest Village: "Let's Meet at Rathausplatz"
In the week leading up to the ESC finals in Vienna, Rathausplatz – the square in front of Vienna City Hall – will be turned into the Eurovision Village from 18 to 23 May 2015. It will be THE place to be for everyone interested in the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) 2015. The programme starts on 18 May with the opening event featuring an international fashion show, and will continue with themed days, live performances by ESC contestants, a colourful family programme. On 23 May, the ESC finals will be broadcast live from Stadthalle and shown on Rathausplatz. For one week, the framework event under the motto "Hello Vienna. Welcome Europe!" will highlight the very best of the Eurovision nations, including culinary delights from different countries.
May 15, 2015
Billa Invests EUR 100 Million in Bulgaria in Next Years
Supermarket Chain Billa plans to invest some 100 million euros in Bulgaria and to open around 40 new stores.
April 10, 2015
Germanwings Flight 9525: Captain Tried to Break into Cockpit with Axe, Co-Pilot Hid Illness
The latest reports prove that German Wings captain Patrick Sondenheimer tried to break into locked cockpit door 'with an axe' as plane was descending. German police have been searching the home of co-pilot Andreas Lubitz and his parents. They found a ripped-up sick note showing that he tried to hide his illness from employer German Wings.
March 27, 2015
Vienna to Have Two Million Inhabitants in 2029
Vienna is already the city with the second largest population in the German-speaking countries. But Vienna is growing faster than ever. This development entails a tremendous challenge for Vienna. Based on the figures now available, investments totalling seven billion euros will have to be made by the year 2020 in the areas of child care, public transport, other infrastructure facilities and health services alone.
February 20, 2015
Swarovski Crystal Worlds to Reopen End of April
Swarovski Kristallwelten will reopen on April 30, 2015. A total volume of 34 million Euros has been invested. The space will be more than doubled to 7.5 hectares. In addition to the all-encompassing renovations in the garden all around the iconic Giant, five Chambers of Wonder are being redesigned entirely from scratch.
February 20, 2015
Spar to Relaunch "Huma” Shopping Park in Vienna-Simmering
The starting signal for building work to turn the HUMA Shopping Center into probably the most modern shopping center in the capital has already been given in December 2014. A shopping center with more than 90 shops, restaurants, catering outlets and services, 2000 free parking spaces and 800 jobs is being built at a traditional location in Vienna-Simmering on a gross leasable area of 50,000 square meters.
February 17, 2015
Austria has EU-Wide Most Franc Loans
In absolute terms, Austria has the most franc foreign currency loans in the European Union.
January 19, 2015
Huber Holding Acquires French Premium Men Lingerie Maker
Huber Group, the Götzis/Vorarlberg based lingerie maker has acquired the French premium brand Hom for men from Triumph Group to target the upmarket male underwear category.
January 19, 2015
State Holding ÖIAG to be Renamed ÖBIB
Austrian state holding ÖIAG is going to be turned into a limited liability company (GesmbH) called "ÖBIB" Österreichische Bundes- und Industriebeteiligungsholding, which will be permitted to make new acquisitions and which will report directly to the Finance Ministry.
January 13, 2015
Wolford Appoints Former Model Grit Seymour as Creative Director
Wolford AG has appointed designer Grit Seymour as its new Creative Director. This position, which was created as part of the company's strategic refocusing, is intended to drive the brand development. The new Creative Director's main responsibilities will include the design of future collections as well as advisory function for Wolford's overall brand identity. The first signs of her contribution will be visible in the 2016 spring/summer collection, which will be presented to the professional public in summer 2015.
November 10, 2014
Vienna Among Top 10 Cities to Visit in 2015
One of the world’s best known publishers of independent travel and language guides, Lonely Planet, has ranked Vienna as one of the top 10 cities “not to be missed” by travellers in 2015. According to Lonely Planet, there is no better time to visit Austria than next year during the Eurovision Song Contest 2015, which takes place in Vienna. The list also includes destinations like Washington, Milan, Chennai or Toronto.
October 24, 2014
New Post Logistics Center Opens in Upper Austria
Listed postal service provider Post AG has officially inaugurated the new logistics centre in Allhaming, Upper Austria. Built for EUR 50 million (USD 64 million) and used since the beginning of August instead of the centre located at the Linz main train station, it has been designed for daily up to 1.6 million letters and 100,000 packages. Some 650 employees work in the new post office near the motorway Westautobahn. Various political officials participated in the inauguration.
October 17, 2014
Netflix: "We are Proud to Bring the Future of Television to Austria"
Netflix, the American provider of on-demand Internet streaming media followed up its launches in France and Germany by adding Austria to the list of countries in which its streaming services is available. The comapny intends to capture a third of the market share. The company was established in 1997 and is headquartered in Los Gatos, California. It started its subscription-based digital distribution service in 1999. By 2009, Netflix was offering a collection of 100,000 titles on DVD and had surpassed 10 million subscribers. By July 2014 Netflix has subscribers in over 40 countries.
September 17, 2014
Josef Taus to Delist MTH from the Vienna Stock Exchange
Josef Taus is delisting his investment company Management Trust Holding (MTH). The main reason for the delisting of this long-term stock market participant (since 1990) is the very low percentage of widespread shareholdings: only 1.25 percent of the shares is held in free float. The company will present a respective offer to the few minority shareholders. Another reason is the restructure of Taus’ empire, which will allow the industrialist to reduce his dependence on minority shareholders.
September 3, 2014
New Owner E-Tec Brings DiTech Back Into Business
The brand DiTech has been purchased after the bankruptcy by the Upper Austrian Computer Dealer e-tec. Now the newly established DiTech Electronic GmbH starts operations. The first stores open already at the beginning of September.
August 29, 2014
Signa Buys Karstadt for €1
Austria's Signa Holding takes over struggling German department store chain Karstadt. Signa acquires a 100 per cent stake in Karstadt Warenhaus GmbH from Berggruen Holdings. Berggruen Holdings is going to withdraw from Karstadt Warenhaus GmbH, Karstadt Premium and Karstadt Sports as well as from from each property. The deal ends weeks of speculation over the company's future after the CEO left in July. Rene Benko will pay just €1 for the department store chain. Karstadt operates more than 80 stores across Germany and employs more than 17.000 people.
August 15, 2014
Russia Orders Agricultural Import Bans in Sanction Retaliation
Vladimir Putin signed a decree limiting or banning imports of agricultural products from countries which have imposed sanctions on Russia, the Kremlin's press service announced. It is estimated that following CEE/SEE countries will be hit by the retaliatory sanctions: Romania, Serbia, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Slovenia, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Brussels, Croatia, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.
August 6, 2014
Analysis: Eurovision Song Contest 2015 in Vienna, Austria
The contest will take place in Vienna, Austria, following Conchita Wurst's victory in the 2014 contest in Copenhagen, with the song "Rise Like a Phoenix". On 6 August 2014, it was announced that Vienna had been chosen as the host city for the 2015 contest. It will be hosted in Wiener Stadthalle.
August 6, 2014
Eurovision Song Contest 2015: The Winner is Vienna
"As an internationally-minded city, Vienna is the best venue for this event, and will prove its cosmopolitan nature to the international public. Most importantly, we want the Song Contest on 23 May 2015 to be a cause for celebration for everyone in Vienna - locals and guests alike." says Mayor Michael Häupl.
August 6, 2014
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