- 2.3 million members of the Migros cooperative can vote on the sale of alcohol at Migros these days.
- With Addiction Switzerland, an important lobby group entered the vote.
- Former Migros managers are also campaigning. It’s not just about the alcohol, but also about tradition, according to the opponents.
When Migros decides on the sale of alcohol, this is no ordinary corporate decision. Rather, it is a decision that interests broad social circles. This is showing up more than ever.
Many people like Migros because they don’t sell alcohol.
As a trade association for alcohol and drug problems, “Sucht Schweiz” is running a real social media campaign against the sale of alcohol in Migros, as media spokesman Markus Meury explains: “Many people like Migros precisely because it is the way it is now and no alcohol sold. That’s why we want it to stay that way.”
According to “Sucht Schweiz”, this would be particularly important for people with alcohol problems. Because they could shop at Migros without constantly being tempted.
Legend:
So far, Migros has only sold alcohol through its subsidiaries Migrolino and Denner.
key stone
The “Group for the M-values” is also active against the sale of alcohol. The organization was set up by former Migros executives, including former Migros director Herbert Bolliger and former Migros chief lobbyist Martin Schläpfer.
You shouldn’t do without a unique selling proposition unless you have to.
It’s also about the identity of Migros, says Schläpfer. «Today we are not only in competition between products and services. It’s also more and more about values. So today you shouldn’t do without a unique selling proposition unless you have to.”
At the moment, those who want to allow the sale of alcohol are less visible to the public.
business opportunity
However, various bodies have already spoken out in favor of selling alcohol. They consider the sales ban to be outdated and see it as a business opportunity.
Migros spokesman Marcel Schlatter reacts calmly to the fact that the critics in particular are now making themselves heard. “The lively discussion is entirely in the spirit of Gottlieb Duttweiler’s created democracy in Migros.”
Legend:
Contrary to assumptions, the Migros founder was not a purist when it came to alcohol.
key stone
The founding father Gottlieb “Dutti” Duttweiler was open to the subject of alcohol. In the early days of Migros, he refrained from selling wine more for business reasons than for ideological reasons. Because he did not want to anger the housewives, who were his most important allies, with the sale of cheap wine, which might have driven their husbands to alcoholism. Later, “Dutti” was open to selling alcohol. Only over time did the ban become a principle within Migros.
The more than two million Migros cooperative members can cast their votes until June 4, 2022. Until then, there will be a discussion about the pros and cons of selling alcohol. If approved, alcohol will be sold by the Swiss retailer from 2023.