The public has learned the bare facts only now. From May 2023, the erotic markets owned by Patrik Stöckli (65) will be history. Stöckli is retiring, going to Magic X, his eight branches and online store. With 26 stores, Switzerland’s leading “sexual health” retail company wants to gradually transform markets into Magic X stores, according to its own statements. “We offer jobs to all erotic market branch employees,” says the letter in Blick’s hand.
But that’s only half of the truth that the company, which will become Switzerland’s largest retailer of erotica, will spread. This is what erotic marketers say to Blick, who is afraid of losing their jobs due to the takeover and wants to remain anonymous.
shock absorber on party ship
It seems that not all employees have been hired, while others have yet to appear on Magic X for an interview. The Erotic Markt Christmas party was a little weird. This happened last weekend when employees learned that Magic-X had been taken over.
Beatrice K., a long-time erotic market employee from Eastern Switzerland.*: “We were invited to a Christmas dinner, a big party, but also to Mr. Stöckli’s birthday.” The event took place on a party ship on Lake Lucerne. “We got the bad news after dinner,” says K.
Of course the mood was gone. K. talks about the confused and disbelieving faces among the employees. What awaits? Marketer, is everyone happy after such an announcement?» says.
Company boss Stöckli also informed his people about his upcoming retirement. “The mood was in the basement. I somewhat underestimated how committed my person was to the erotic market brand, as well as to my employees,” Stöckli told Blick.
Half of the staff should go
K. and other marketer women are now worried about their future. There will likely be layoffs at the Erotic Markt office, as operating two online stores is pointless after the Magic X takeover. “Ten employees at headquarters will lose their jobs,” says Beatrice K.
Also, unlike adult markets, Magic X stores only have one employee per shift. This means that half of the employees at Erotik Markt branches will tend to lose their jobs. But Beatrice K. is also concerned about her safety: “We were also allowed to work in pairs at the Erotic Markt for safety reasons. It’s a pretty big change.”
Moreover, employees of erotic markets would have to go through a recruitment process at Magic X. Magic X would contact selected ex-employees of the erotic markets. They need to prepare for an interview if they want to keep their job later on.
Magic X tries to appease
Magic X board member Jan Brönnimann (52) says: “We would be pleased if as many employees as possible would stay with us. It makes sense that this know-how is not lost in individual branches.»
Also, there is a shortage of good staff these days. However, as with almost all corporate takeovers, layoffs can of course happen. “Maybe in some cases there may be less staffing in certain locations. But the erotic market just didn’t have many employees,” says Brönnimann.
When asked about Beatrice K.’s safety concerns, Brönnimann replied, “The fear is completely unfounded. We have 26 branches, some of which we have been operating for nearly 30 years. So we know how to keep our employees safe.”
These statements can currently only relieve Beatrice K. to a limited extent. Now he will listen to Magic X’s offer and decide if he wants to stay.
*Name changed