Last year, Billa increased its revenues in the Czech Republic by 6.8 percent to approximately 31.9 billion crowns. Her net profit rose by CZK 174 million to CZK 679.7 million. In connection with the coronavirus pandemic and government measures, there has been an increase in customers in stores located in places where a large proportion of people spend their holidays. On the contrary, it recorded losses in shopping centers, railway stations, airports or near universities and office buildings. In the next period with the revival of tourism, the company also expects a significant improvement in establishments in tourist localities of cities, according to its annual report.
The Billa supermarket chain grew by nine new stores last year. Another ten establishments were reconstructed by the company, which was an investment of 118.2 million crowns. The company equipped new and modernized stores with new equipment worth about 273 million crowns. At the end of December last year, Billa operated 241 stores in the Czech Republic.
Last year, the company employed an average of 6,461 people, up 112 more year-on-year. Compared to the previous year, its wage costs increased by CZK 273.2 million to approximately CZK 3.1 billion.
Billa is part of the international Rewe retail chain. It has been operating on the Czech market since 1991. It focuses on supporting Czech producers and Czech food accounts for 72 percent of its turnover. The Rewe Group also includes Penny Market, which last year reported sales of CZK 42.2 billion and a profit after tax of approximately CZK 1 billion.
The largest food chain in the Czech Republic is Lidl. In the financial year 2019/2020, it reported sales of CZK 63.6 billion, net profit was CZK 5.8 billion. Lidl, like Kaufland, belongs to the German retail group Schwarz. Albert, Tesco and Globus also operate on the market.
Source: Billa and CTK
