2024-11-05 19:37:00
Retailer makes politics
Migros says yes to Albert Rösti’s motorway expansion – what’s behind it
Political interference is part of Migros’ DNA. The other traders prefer to blame the associations.
The yes to the motorway expansion is just the latest example in a long series of political statements by Migros: Fäsenstaub tunnel near Schaffhausen.
Photo: Michael Buholzer (Keystone)
- Albert Rösti promotes the expansion of motorway sections in “Migros Magazine”.
- Migros supports the template.
- The retail company regularly issues political statements.
- Lidl and Aldi are not commenting directly on the current vote.
Albert Rösti on the construction site in the Gubrist Tunnel, in a bright orange suit, helmet and rubber boots: The Transport Minister presents himself in this special outfit in the new issue of “Migros Magazine”. In an interview with Migros head of communications Christian Dorer, the former editor-in-chief of the “Blick” group, Rösti advocates a yes to the planned expansion of six motorway sections.
Not only Rösti takes a position, but also Migros itself. In order to be able to fulfill its supply mandate, it is dependent on an “efficient transport infrastructure,” writes Migros in a box accompanying the interview. That’s why she said yes to the proposal. At the same time, she makes it clear that regardless of the outcome Vote on November 24th will further promote its commitment to the transport of goods by rail.
The yes to the motorway expansion is just the latest example in a long series of political statements. Migros has always been represented by a lobbyist in the Federal Palace in order to incorporate its interests into day-to-day political operations.
Markus Neukom, head of the economic policy directorate at the Migros Cooperative Association (MGB), sends the “Infomail MGB” to politicians, journalists and other interested parties almost every month. In it he comments on commission decisions, parliamentary deliberations and initiatives that affect the interests of Migros.
Migros has already positioned itself in previous votes
The retailer regularly publishes statements on federal referendums in the “Migros Magazine”. Most recently, Migros supported this Electricity bill, which was voted on June 9th.
Last year, the president of the MGB even took the keys personally. “I encourage everyone to do their part on June 18th and agree to the climate protection law,” wrote Ursula Nold in the magazine’s editorial under the title “It’s not too late yet.”
Ursula Nold, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Migros Cooperative Association, here in October 2024 at a media conference in Zurich.
Photo: Michael Buholzer (Keystone)
In 2021, Migros took part in three votes. It is a moral obligation to stand up for the new CO₂ law The then MGB boss Fabrice Zumbrunnen explained in the “Migros Magazine”. At the same time, Migros called for a no to the initiative for clean drinking water and the pesticide initiative.
In 2018 she opposed the Fairfood Initiative, in 2017 she supported the pension reform, and in 2016 she opposed the “Green Economy” initiative and the “No speculation with food!” initiative.
In 2014, she recommended that the cooperative members say no to the Gastro Suisse initiative “Stop VAT discrimination in the hospitality industry”. In 2008, it worked particularly hard to allow parallel imports.
The combination of commerce and politics is not unique to Migros; corporate lobbying is part of everyday life in all capitals of the world. But at Migros, political interference is part of its DNA.
The Founder Gottlieb Duttweiler was not only a trader, but also a journalist and politician. He founded a party – the State Ring of Independents – and sat in the National Council and later in the Council of States. He was a populist before the term was invented. When parliament delayed one of his proposals, he smashed a window into the Federal Palace with stones.
Other retailers like Coop hide behind the associations
Various media outlets have reported on Migros’ statement in the last few days and expressed surprise. Whether the excitement about it is forgetting that retailers in Switzerland are traditionally not just spectators in the political scene. Karl Schweri, the founder of the discounter Denner, launched six popular initiatives against price cartels and monopolies as well as four referendums between 1968 and 2001. The initiatives failed or were withdrawn, the referendums were successful.
However, among the large retailers today, none is as exposed as Migros. Coop, for example, does not take a direct position on the voting proposal. “We comment on political issues that affect us within the framework of IG Retail.” The interest group, which includes Coop, Migros and Denner, supports the planned expansion of the motorways. The IG Retail companies depend on a functioning and efficient rail and road infrastructure, says managing director Maja Freiermuth: “We are positive about the proposal because the expansion of national roads improves the flow of traffic and reduces alternative traffic.”
Lidl and Aldi are also holding back. “Although we are interested in social developments and occasionally express ourselves politically, we have no position on the corresponding voting proposal,” writes Lidl. And at Aldi it says: “We generally do not comment on political concerns.”
The Swiss Retail Federation, the association of retail companies to which Aldi and Lidl belong, has a clear stance. And here too the message is clear: yes to motorway expansion. Director Dagmar Jenni says: “We support the proposal, which in our opinion has no alternative at the moment if you want to absorb traffic in the medium term.”
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The field of economics and business, with a focus on retail strategies and cooperative models. He has published various articles on the impact of corporate strategies on market dynamics and consumer behavior.