Report 22 Oct 2025

Retail & Wholesale - InBrief Analysis - Austria

In 2025, Austria’s retail & wholesale sector has stabilized after two years of contraction, contributing around 13% to GDP and employing over 560,000 people. The economy has technically exited recession, but growth remains flat. While food retail drives recovery, the non-food and industrial wholesale segments lag due to cautious consumer spending and weak manufacturing. Inflation remains above the EU average at 3.2%, keeping purchasing power under pressure. Digital transformation continues to reshape the market, led by automation, AI, cloud computing, and omnichannel strategies. Retail leaders like SPAR, REWE, and Hofer dominate a highly concentrated market, investing in AI forecasting, SAP S/4HANA, and Microsoft Cloud solutions to boost efficiency.