Swiss bicycle manufacturer Thömus set to acquire 12 Bike World stores

The negotiations for the sale of the Migros Bike World speciality stores, which started in June 2024, have been successfully concluded. The well-known Swiss bicycle company Thömus will acquire 12 Bike World locations. The employees and apprentices at all Bike World stores will be taken on by Thömus – including those at the two locations that Thömus is not acquiring and will be closed. With the acquisition of Bike World, Thömus also secures the brand rights. The locations will be redesigned and reopened under the name “Thömus Bike World” on 1 March 2025.

Warranties and services for products customers have purchased at Bike World stores will be fully covered and guaranteed by Thömus.  

Thömus AG, based in Oberried near Bern, is a leading manufacturer of high-quality bicycles and e-bikes that has been fully committed to Swissness for 30 years. With a team of over 140 employees, the entire value chain – from research, development and design to manufacturing, production and sales – is ensured. “The expansion of the sales network complements our existing strategy almost perfectly. As a family-owned Swiss SME, we are taking this major step with respect and at the same time with great pleasure. The acquisition offers us the opportunity to share our passion for bicycles with all regions of Switzerland”, explains Thomas Binggeli, CEO, founder and owner of Thömus. 

Focus on Migros core business  

The divestment of Bike World is part of the Migros Group’s strategic focus on its core business, which the company announced at the beginning of February 2024. The sales processes for the Micasa and Do it + Garden speciality stores are underway. As announced in June, MediaMarkt is acquiring 20 melectronics locations. The Competition Commission (COMCO) has given the green light for this. MediaMarkt will continue to operate the stores from 1 November 2024 onward. The Migros speciality store SportX, with 27 locations, was also sold – to the Dosenbach-Ochsner Group. The review by COMCO is still ongoing, with the acquisition scheduled for 1 March 2025. Individual succession solutions are being sought for the remaining 22 locations. 

Implications for Migros Specialist Market Ltd 

The divestment of Bike World has an impact on the service company Migros Specialist Market Ltd, which provides all central services for all Migros speciality store formats. “Unfortunately, it is unavoidable that jobs for employees who work directly for Bike World will be lost”, Peter Schmid, CEO of Speciality Market Ltd, acknowledges regretfully. “Overall, we expect to cut around 12 jobs by the end of April 2025”. As part of the divestments, adjustments may also be made in decentralised Migros Group organisations. Employees affected by the job cuts will receive individual benefits, which are set out in the comprehensive social plan. These depend, among other things, on age and years of service. Affected employees will be supported in their search for a new job within and outside Migros.  

Stores: planned acquisition by Thömus 

GMAA 
Bike World Baden 
Bike World Muri 
Bike World Zuchwil 

GMBS 
Bike World Pratteln 

GMLU 
Bike World Ebikon 

GMOS 
Bike World St. Gallen 

GMVD 
Bike World Payerne 
Bike World Romanel 

GMZ 
Bike World Affoltern a. Albis 
Bike World Schlieren 
Bike World Volketswil 
Bike World Wädenswil 

Locations not being acquired 

GMOS 
Bike World Hinwil 
Bike World Winterthur 

GMGE 
Bike World Vernier* 
Bike World Gland* 

* The closure of these locations (29 September 2024) was already decided before the decision to divest Bike World in June 2024. They were therefore not part of the divestment deal with Thömus.