“Billa Bulgaria” plans to invest over BGN 120 million for its development in our country this year. This was announced on Wednesday by Vigintas Shapokas, executive director of the retail chain in our country. The latest data show that in 2023 the company will see a growth of 15% compared to 2022, reaching a turnover of BGN 1.423 billion. The company will also register a 5.4% growth in terms of the number of customers, he added. In reality, “Billa Bulgaria” ranks in the top three of the REWE group (the parent company of the chain) in terms of turnover growth.
At the same time, the retail chain maintains the positive trend in the growth of its market share, as in 2022 it recorded an increase of 1 percentage point, and in 2023 it added another 0.5 percentage points.
BGN 47 million for the construction of a new warehouse
One of the biggest investments of the trade chain in 2024 will be BGN 47 million in the construction of its new warehouse near the village of Zagore, the first sod of which was laid in September 2023. The depot is already under construction, and with its commissioning in 2025, it will contribute to greater flexibility and efficiency of supplies throughout the country.
The company’s investment in the modernization of existing sites and the opening of new stores will exceed BGN 73 million, and the retail chain will create over 250 jobs.
In 2024, for the first time, BILLA will set foot in the cities of Tutrakan and Teteven.
The retail chain maintains its leadership position in terms of number of stores in Bulgaria with 159 sites in 25 regions and 50 cities in the country. In 2023, the company renovated 14 of its sites and opened 11 stores, entering the cities of Sozopol, Chirpan, Troyan, Silistra and the village of Graf Ignatievo for the first time.
“Billa Bulgaria” recorded deflation of 2.6% at regular prices in March
The retail chain reports a 2.6% deflation of its regular prices for March 2024 compared to March 2023. The most noticeable price drop in BILLA is for fruits and vegetables by nearly 11%, for dairy products by just over 5% and for cosmetics – by nearly 4% compared to March 2023.
The trade chain reports further deflation in canned foods, beverages and basic foods, it became clear from the presentation of Vigintas Shapokas.
In 2024, the consumer’s Easter basket at BILLA will be about 2.3% cheaper compared to 2023. Traditional products for the holiday include lamb, kozunak, eggs, cheese, potatoes, as well as the usual salad vegetables.
The Easter table from “Billa”
During this year’s Easter holidays, 100% of the lamb that BILLA will offer to its customers is of proven Bulgarian origin, delivered from dozens of farms throughout the country. The expected final price for consumers will be around and below BGN 20 per kilogram.
This Easter, “Billa Bulgaria” will present to its customers 17 different types of kosunacs in the price range from under 2 BGN to 30 BGN. In the high price range, they have added chocolate, nuts, etc. Kozunats for this Easter will be available both from the chain’s bakeries, as well as Bulgarian and Italian ones.
The preferred white-shelled eggs, which are most in demand for dyeing, are now available in stores. They are now also available in large cuts – shells of 30 eggs. They are from both Bulgaria and Poland. The chain will also offer directly dyed eggs.
“Every year we offer painted eggs, but they are not much sought after and after Easter we wonder what to do with them”said Vigintas Shapokas.
During the 2023 Easter campaign, the retail chain reported a 17% increase in lamb sales compared to the 2022 campaign, a 40% increase in chicken and a 20% increase in pork. For Easter 2023, customers purchased 4.5 million eggs and over 340,000 eggs, including home-made ones, which are available in some BILLA branches. There were 30% more fruits, and 20% more vegetables.
Over 1300 promotions weekly
BILLA offers its customers an average of over 1,300 promotional offers per week. As part of its turnover, the promotional share for March 2024 exceeds 48%, which is 3% more than the same period of the previous year.
BILLA’s corporate policy promotes the consumption and production of local products, sourcing 85% of its assortment from Bulgarian companies. Thus, the trade chain provides a market for the manufactured products of more than 700 native companies and helps the development of the local economy.
BILLA is the third largest private employer in Bulgaria – with over 5,000 employees in 50 cities in the country. The main priority of the company is to support each member of the team and provide them with an equal chance for development. In 2023, over 140 young people aged 16-18 took their first career steps into the trades by completing the BILLA Summer Apprenticeship Programme.
More than 200 employees with disabilities are part of the company’s team – double the number required by law, which reinforces the retail chain’s commitment to inclusion and diversity in the working environment.
Billa card and loyalty programs
In October 2023, BILLA Bulgaria announced its new loyalty program, which follows a clear and simple principle – the more each customer shops, the more discounts they receive. In the first six months since the start of the program, users have benefited from over 1.1 million bonus vouchers, with 245,000 of them purchasing a product at a promotional price of BGN 0.01. During the same period, every second BILLA Card holder has unlocked at least one of the four types of bonus vouchers. Over 2.2 million Bulgarians have a BILLA Card, with 1.5 million actively using it and taking advantage of the chain’s special offers.
“Billa” will also be online in Plovdiv, Varna and Pleven
BILLA Bulgaria launched its new channel for online trade with supplies in Sofia in April 2023, and in less than a year the scope of the service has successfully expanded to three more cities – Plovdiv, Varna and Pleven. With this approach, the company continues its policy of being closer to its customers, offering them quick and easy access to an assortment of nearly 5,000 products.
The data shows that consumers are extremely positive about this new opportunity, and BILLA’s online channel generates between 300 and 400 orders every day and a turnover equal to that of a medium-sized chain store. In order to guarantee the high quality of the service, BILLA set aside a separate unit in each of the objects participating in the project, in which the so-called “pickers”. This is a new position for the company and the market for employees who carefully and carefully select each customer’s online order.
