Migros wants to sell Hotelplan, Mibelle, SportX and Melectronics – boss Irminger says: “Now it’s the turn of the next specialist shops”

Is there a job guarantee in sales?

Mario Irminger avoids this question. “We will plan sales carefully and do what we can to ensure jobs are protected,” he says.

Thus ends the press conference.

What will happen to the sales areas of specialist stores?

It is hoped that the positions will be maintained in the event of a sale. “It may not be taken over 100 percent,” says Mario Irminger. If a local specialty store closes, the space will be leased to someone else.

Is CoffeeB also controlled?

The model is under review, “we remain committed to innovation”, says Matthias Wunderlin.

Is this a salami tactic?

Irminger asks this question himself. “We wanted to share future events with you in groups today,” assures Mario Irminger. However, in a large company like Migros, “adjustments” that have not been announced today may still be made here and there.

Are employees now leaving the company out of fear of being laid off?

“Employees will not flee and we will be able to persuade them to see the opportunities in the changes that are now coming,” says Matthias Wunderlin. This applies to both Mibelle and Hotelplan. Michel Gruber adds that “especially now” is the management principle.

Explanations on value adjustments

Despite the high valuation adjustment, Migros has “no restructuring”: “EBIT and net profit will be positive,” Irminger emphasizes once again. Its financial foundation is solid and Migros is not “externally managed”. But Migros “needs to position itself for the future”.

How does Migrol fit into its core business?

“Migrol, convenience is very important to our business,” says Michel Gruber. This is also important for the mobility business. And of course it is also a “cash generator”.

Health is an essential business

Why are you selling the travel business and not health? Ursula Nold states that health has been one of the main tasks for years and will remain so.

What if a buyer cannot be found?

Mario Irminger explains: “We want to complete the review of specialist shops by the middle of the year, then we will look further ahead.” Could a sale to Coop be considered? “We welcome all interested parties,” says Irminger. It’s not inconceivable that all specialty stores could be sold out, but it’s “unlikely” according to Irminger. “We will look very carefully at sustainable solutions” in all our sales.

Who can buy Hotelplan?

Mario Irminger replies: “We don’t have a concrete name yet. First of all, we wanted to inform the employees and then the media. The sales process is starting now, there is no shortlist yet.” Michel Gruber explains that no sales negotiations have yet taken place: “The travel industry is so tightly knit that we could never keep our desire to sell secret.” When asked whether the sale of Hotelplan violated Duttweiler’s “spirit”, he answered as follows: “Hotelplan is a modern company today. Duttweiler’s main task has been fulfilled.” Gruber concludes that although the sale is targeted as a group, the possibility that Hotelplan will also be sold in separate parts cannot be ruled out.