Migros: Layoffs and Missed Responsibility at the 100th Anniversary
Migros is cutting 625 jobs through the closure of Do it + Garden. At its 100th anniversary, criticism over working conditions and layoffs is mounting.
Last week, employees at Migros Online's logistics centres raised numerous grievances.
Extreme performance pressure, disregard for health regulations, non-transparent work organisation and anti-union repression are just some of the issues raised.
Today, Migros announced the elimination of 625 positions in connection with the closure of “Do it + Garden.” On a positive note, the jobs of Micasa employees were secured through a sale to third parties. This latest wave of layoffs reveals the antisocial face of one of Switzerland's leading retailers — and this despite the fact that Migros recently reported rising sales figures for 2024. That so many employees are being let go despite this success is particularly questionable.
The most recent layoffs are the result of a misguided strategy. The focus on profit maximisation has worsened working conditions and is now leading to hundreds of dismissals.
New Wave of Layoffs at “Do it + Garden”
As early as the end of June, 31 “Do it + Garden” locations will be closed. The closures will affect 466 employees. The simultaneous sale of Micasa and the closure of “Do it + Garden” means that the parent organisation Migros Fachmarkt AG will cease its activities by the end of January 2026. A further 159 employees are affected. This amounts to over 600 threatened redundancies within a short period of time.
Uncertainty for Alnatura Organic Markets
Additionally, Migros is withdrawing from its partnership with Alnatura Deutschland, which has existed since 2012. The Migros Zurich cooperative was previously a franchisee of Alnatura Deutschland and operator of a total of 25 organic markets throughout German-speaking Switzerland. It remains unclear whether the Alnatura Bio Super Märkte will continue to exist and what will happen to the employees. plant-based nutrition and the organic market are crucial for the future.
An unsocial birthday gift for employees
Migros is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. The reputation of Switzerland's largest retailer was built on cooperation, solidarity, and social responsibility — values that were anchored in the company's self-image. These principles, however, were thrown overboard. Instead, a rapid and uncoordinated expansion of the group was pursued. Employees are now expected to pay the price for entrepreneurial misjudgements and mismanagement — and this despite the Migros Group achieving record sales in 2024.
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