Rewe Group’s supermarket division Billa has earmarked e300m (£255m) for store expansion and modernisation over the next two years. The current rate of 35 refurbishments per annum in Billa’s home market will be increased.

Since 2006, when the modernisation programme began, about half of its 1,000 stores have been revamped, costing e70m to e80m (£60m to £68m) a year. Part of the overhaul is the roll-out of electronic shelf labels in Austria and the first stores will be equipped next month. Billa is also working on developing a premium private label.

Billa operates supermarkets in Austria, Italy, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Romania, Russia, Slovakia and Ukraine.

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