Fewer supermarkets in Austria

Categories
Business

Austria’s leading supermarket chains have reduced the number of their shops in the past years, a survey has found. Market analysis company RegioData said today (Thurs) the country’s strongest supermarket companies currently run 5,000 shops, down from 5,700 in 2004. The agency explained market leader Billa, Spar Austria and other firms were trying to optimise […]

Government ‘to set up advisory council’

Categories
Politics

The Austrian government plans to ask high-profile businessmen to join an advisory committee after a leading banker called politicians “stupid and coward.” Erste Group Bank AG (Erste Bank) boss Andreas Treichl’s attack kicked off an intense debate about the relationship of politicians and entrepreneurs last month. The banker – who nearly became federal finance minister […]

Renaissance ups Porr stake

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Business

Turkish construction company Renaissance has increased its interest in Austria’s third-biggest building company. Porr AG announced today (Thurs) that its cooperation partner acquired an additional 5,700 shares. This purchase means Renaissance now holds 10.07 per cent in the Vienna-based company. Construction businessman Karl Heinz Strauss – who succeeded Wolfgang Hesoun as executive chief of Porr […]

Electricity price hikes ahead

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Business

An energy sector expert has warned that electricity prices will climb further. The Austrian Energy Agency said today (Thurs) its price index for next month was 7.6 per cent higher than figures of July 2010. It added that the index rose from June 2011 to July of the same year by 1.7 per cent. These […]

Footstuff price hikes fuel inflation

Categories
Business

Flight tickets, coffee and heating oil have become more expensive in Austria, new figures show. Statistik Austria announced today (Thurs) the inflation rose by 3.2 per cent from May 2010 to the same month of this year. The agency explained mineral oil products and foodstuff price hikes were mostly responsible for the overall increase of […]

Company foundation figures contradict midlife crisis claims

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Business

New figures debunk myths that businesspeople in Vienna are in midlife crises.The city’s Economy Chamber (WKW) said today (Weds) that, with 21 per cent, more than one out of five people were aged 45 and older when they decided to set up their own companies last year. The organisation explained that the share of those […]

More passengers at VIA

Categories
Business

Vienna International Airport (VIA or VIE) registered over six per cent more passengers last month than in May 2010, it was announced today (Weds).The aerodrome – Austria’s busiest airport and a key air traffic gateway to destinations in Eastern Europe (EE) – counted 1.905 million customers in May 2010, up by 6.5 per cent compared […]

Diesel car sales up sharply

Categories
Business

The number of diesel-powered cars is on the rise in Austria despite a sharp increase in fuel prices.One litre of diesel costs around as much as the same amount of regular petrol at service stations in Austria at the moment. Some petrol stations even charge a few Eurocents more for diesel which used to be […]

One in three use online banking

Categories
Business

Around one third of Austrians are using internet banking services, according to a report.The Romanian Times writes today (Fri) that 34 per cent of the country’s citizens carry out their banking business online. The online newspaper reports that a GfK survey has shown that 42 per cent of Czechs use internet banking, while just four […]

More holidays appeal falls on deaf ears at WKO

Categories
Business

A works council chief has caused a stir by calling for more vacation days for Austrians.Wolfgang Katzian, head of the labour union of private employees GPA-djp, said today (Tues) Austrians deserved an additional week off each year. The Social Democratic (SPÖ) member of the federal parliament argued such a move would mean a win-win situation […]