REWE Group is a Cologne-based European retail and tourism cooperative founded in 1927 through the merger of 17 purchasing cooperatives. Operating as a cooperative with shared ownership and democratic governance, the group serves approximately 12 million customers daily across 21 countries, with roughly 384,000 employees.
The company operates multiple retail formats spanning food, discount, home improvement, and pharmacy sectors. REWE supermarkets form the primary retail footprint with over 3,800 stores across Germany, whilst PENNY operates a discount chain, toom provides home improvement retail, and BIPA runs specialty drugstores. DERTOUR Group handles comprehensive travel services. The group has committed to climate neutrality by 2040 and maintains programmes around organic and sustainable products, alongside animal welfare initiatives.
Regional integration is a defining characteristic. In Austria, for example, 100% of fresh meat is sourced from local suppliers. The cooperative structure and century-long operating history reflect an organisational model centred on shared ownership and stakeholder governance rather than external shareholders.
