Vienna International Retail and Consumer Industry News

Read the latest headlines about developments in the international retail and consumer industry in Vienna and Austria

Retail Trade: No Improvement Expected

After weak first six months, the Austrian retail sector hopes for increasing demand in the second half of 2011. Weak development of incomes reduces consumers’ willingness to spend.

July 27, 2011

Austrians’ Holiday Patterns Are Changing

Traditional summer vacation is getting less important; every third main holiday trip takes place in winter.

July 27, 2011

Austrian Tourism: Slight Increase in Overnights

First third of summer season 2011: Rise in overnights by 3.7% in the period May to June. The number of arrivals reached a new record high.

July 25, 2011

Wolford Doubles Profit

The Austrian luxury clothing company achieved considerable growth in revenue and earnings in financial year 2010/11.

July 22, 2011

Crisis Reaches Retail Sector

Austria’s retail industry starts to feel the effects of a high inflation rate and the euro crisis. In May, revenues declined by 2.3%.

July 21, 2011

Bankruptcy Judge Stops Production at Kneissl

The Austrian ski manufacturer continues the search for an investor. Production has been stopped by the judge in the bankruptcy proceedings.

July 14, 2011

Schlumberger with Slight Growth in 2010/11

The Austrian stock exchange listed champagne and spirits producer has achieved EBIT growth of 50% in the financial year 2010/11. Revenue increased by 2.4%.

July 7, 2011

Casinos Austria Withdraw from Project in Liechtenstein

The Austrian gaming group had applied for the only casino concession in the principality. It now decided to give up its plans due to widely differing ideas of its partner.

July 6, 2011

Strong Decline in Retail Trade Volume

The Austrian retailers recorded a 2.3% drop in trading volume in May. It was the fourth highest decline of all EU member countries.

July 5, 2011

Novomatic Not Interested in Lottery Concession

The Austrian gaming machine manufacturer is not interested in expanding into the lottery business. The company will only apply for casino licenses.

June 29, 2011

Pfanner with Record Investment

The Austrian fruit juice and ice tea producer will make the largest investment in its history. A 5% increase in revenue is planned this year.

June 29, 2011

Retail Sector: New Discussion about Sunday Opening

The current dispute is about the right to open shops on certain lucrative Sundays. The operator of a shopping center has brought in an action at the Constitutional Court.

June 20, 2011

No Money from Al Jaber: Restructuring of Kneissl Has Failed

The last attempt to rescue the Tyrolian ski manufacturer has failed as majority owner Al Jaber has not transferred the € 2.1m necessary to continue business. The company will be liquidated.

June 15, 2011

Palmers on the Way Back to Black Figures

The Austrian lingerie group’s results are still negative due to the acquisition of Lejaby. An expansion of the Palmers brand is planned in Germany and CEE.

June 15, 2011

Shopping Tourism: Asian Visitors Spending Heavily

Russia remains the top shopping nation while Asian tourists' spending is increasing significantly.

June 14, 2011

Swarovski to Invest in US Jewelry Retailer

The Tyrolean optics and crystal group is attracted by a global distribution network of 2,000 stores. The two companies already have a strategic partnership.

June 7, 2011

Swedish Investor Buys Insolvent JoWood

The Austrian computer game producer will resume business after its acquisition. A payout plan ratio for the creditors has not yet been determined.

June 6, 2011

Kneissl: Creditors Accept Restructuring Plans

Al Jaber has to pay € 2m into an escrow account before June 15. Otherwise, the Tyrolian company will be liquidated.

June 1, 2011

Novomatic Considering Application for Lottery Concession

The Austrian gaming machine manufacturer is interested in expanding into the lottery business. An IPO is considered as an option for improving its financing structure.

May 18, 2011

Moderate Earnings Increase for Austrian Post

Revenue up 1.6% from the previous year on a comparable basis. EBIT goes up by 7.6% to € 48.8m. EBITDA margin amounts to 12.4%

May 13, 2011

Sales Increase for Ottakringer Group

The beverage was able to increase its sales by 32% in the first quarter, compared with the same period of the previous year.

May 13, 2011

Falkensteiner Michaeler Tourism Group on Growth Course

With the four-part investment strategy in Central and Southeastern Europe, the Falkensteiner Michaeler Tourism Group AG (FMTG) is on the path to success.

May 12, 2011

Still Rise in New Car Registrations

Registrations of new motor vehicles in April 2011: +2.4%; passenger cars: +5.0%, lorries: -0.1%

May 10, 2011

bwin.party Reports Slight Increase in Revenues

Total net revenue up 2% to €217.8m (2010: €213.9m); average daily revenue up 4% versus the previous quarter with growth in sports betting and casino & other games offset by weakness in poker.

May 9, 2011

Austria's Importance as a Location for Conventions increases

Events, conferences and trade shows are developing as an important part of Austria’s tourism industry. By international comparison, Austria is already ranks in eighth place.

May 5, 2011

Slight Decline in Retail Trades Sales in Real Terms

Turnover in Austrian retail trade increased by 2.1% (nominal) in the first quarter 2011.

May 3, 2011

Austrian Tourism: Small Decrease in Overnights

Current tourism winter season 2010/11: Overnights decreased slightly by 0.9% - rise in overnights in March by 2.7%.

April 29, 2011

Austrians are Patriots when Shopping for Food

A majority of Austrian consumers puts emphasis on the domestic origin of food.

April 27, 2011

Restructuring failed: JoWood on the brink of disappearance

The game manufacturer, already in hard financial troubles for a long time, had to announce today that the restructuring process has failed.

April 22, 2011

Overnight Stays Record for Vienna in March: +3.3%

This year, Vienna recorded its so far highest March concerning overnight stays: 867,000 overnight stays, an increase of 3.3% over March 2010.

April 21, 2011

Sales Increase of 7.4% for Intersport

Sales of Intersport Austria-group grew by 7.4% to € 667.7m (2008/2009: € 622m) in the financial year 2009/2010.

April 20, 2011

Record Results for Arcotel Hotel

ARCOTEL Hotel AG ends the financial year 2010 with extremely positive results. Sole director Manfred Mayer intends to continue expanding in future.

April 20, 2011

Resch &Frisch - Expands to Italy

The baked goods producer was able to increase its sales in 2010 again. The market is to be expanded to the south.

April 13, 2011

Cineplexx Expands

The Austrian cinema operator intends to establish itself in Croatia. A location in the capital was already functioning, and two more have been added now.

April 12, 2011

Team 7: Tripling of Sales by 2020

The natural furniture manufacturer is on the rise. The goal is to reach € 200m in sales by 2020.

April 9, 2011

Schlumberger Takes Over Distribution of Evian and Volvic

The Austrian sparkling wine producer considers this cooperation a "strategic expansion of the beverage competence by means of international Danone water brands".

April 5, 2011

Casinos Austria: Barely Positive

The gambling group managed to prevent a net loss despite massive losses abroad in 2010. Net income is valued at € 3.7m.

March 31, 2011

Falkensteiner Builds in Serbia and Slovakia

The Austrian developer of tourism projects is expanding in the CEE region. The premium segment in the hotel industry is to be strengthened.

March 31, 2011

Strong Profit Growth at Huber

The Austrian lingerie manufacturer managed to increase its earnings by 74%. Sales increase at 3.8% was relatively moderate.

March 29, 2011

BP Austria: Sales for € 1.3bn

The British oil company increased its sales last year from € 1.05bn to € 1.3bn. The operating profit quadrupled.

March 29, 2011

Austria's Gambling Industry Stagnates

Income of Casinos Austria remained constant in the previous year. Online lotteries grew while traditional lotteries lost ground.

March 26, 2011

Shares of bwin.party to Start Trading in Vienna

The stocks of bwin.party Digital Entertainment PLC (“bwin.party”), which starts listing on the London Stock Exchange as of 1 April 2011, will also be traded on the Third Market of the Vienna Stock Exchange.

March 26, 2011

Trend Reversal in Austrian Winter Tourism

Current tourism winter season 2010/11: -2.1% decrease in overnights due to slump in February

March 24, 2011

Concerns about "Eurovegas"

The Austrian-American project for the construction of Europe's largest casino meets increasing opposition.

March 16, 2011

Bwin & Party Gaming: Merger Plan Requirements now met in Austria

Merger between Austrian bwin Intereactive Entertainment AG and British PartyGaming planned to complete on 31 March 2011.

March 16, 2011

Austrian Post: Stable Turnover, Increasing Earnings

Revenue was up by 0.3%. EBIT rose by 5.0% to € 156.9m. Dividend proposal to the Annual General Meeting: € 1.60 per share

March 16, 2011

Geinberg Thermal Springs are Expanding

The Upper Austrian Wellness facility is being expanded massively and gets its own luxury area.

March 15, 2011

Austrian Post Announces Changes of Executive Board

Walter Hitzinger is appointed as director of the mail and retail division. Walter Oblin succeeds Rudolf Jettmar as CFO.

March 15, 2011

Moderate Rise in Turnover for Austrian Service Industry

Austrian service enterprises have overcome the economic crisis: Turnover increase of 3.3% in 2010, employment activities booming

March 10, 2011

Gastronomy Rejects New Beverage Tax

Austria's restaurateurs and brewers fear an "attack on tourism and restaurant culture."

March 9, 2011