Migros specialist stores: disposal process for micasa and Do it + Garden completed

The micasa brand will be retained: as part of a management buyout, 30 micasa and micasa home stores will be taken over by Philipp Agustoni, the current CEO of micasa, and Manuel Landolt, the COO of Migros Fachmarkt AG. The two future entrepreneurs are receiving support from the company Rethink which offers outstanding expertise on implementing innovative projects and achieving sustainable growth. From 1 September 2025, the newly founded micasa AG will assume control of all business operations. All employees and apprentices at the stores will keep their jobs.

The warranty and services for products purchased at micasa will remain valid and continue to be honoured by the new owner. This means that there will be no changes for customers.

"Working together with Rethink, we are enthusiastically embarking on a new chapter for micasa – independent, autonomous and with a clear vision. Our high-quality products, dedicated team and customers are the key elements in this success story. Together, we’ll play our part in shaping the future of living in Switzerland," says Philipp Agustoni, CEO of micasa.

No holistic succession solution for Do it + Garden

Unfortunately, a buyer could not be secured for Do it + Garden despite great effort. Talks were held with various interested parties, but none saw the potential to successfully continue operating the business nationwide. As previously announced, the Do it + Garden stores in Carouge and Nyon will be transferred to OBI. Negotiations with potential interested parties from the DIY sector at a local level are still being held for individual Do it + Garden locations. The rest of the 31 locations in total will close by the end of June 2025 at the latest.

The best possible future solutions are being sought within and outside of the Migros Group for the 466 employees of Do it + Garden who will be affected by the closures. The Migros social plan will be implemented in cases where solutions cannot be found. All Do it + Garden apprentices can continue and complete their apprenticeships within or outside of Migros.

Migros will continue to honour all warranties and services for Do it + Garden products. Customers can contact the Customer Service team at any Migros store about such matters.

Social plan with generous benefits 

The sale of micasa and the closure of Do it + Garden will also have an impact on overarching functions. Migros Fachmarkt AG will cease its business activities by the end of January 2026. This will affect 159 employees.

The Migros Group has finalised a comprehensive national social plan with internal and external social partners to cushion the impact of redundancies as far as possible (see press release dated 15 May 2024). Employees made redundant will receive individual benefits linked to their length of service and age, among other factors. They will also receive support in their search for new employment within and outside of Migros from HR and specialist external partners.

Focus on core business 

These decisions are part of the transformation of the Migros Group announced in early February 2024. Migros will increase the attractiveness of its core business for customers and focus specifically on those business areas in which it can continue to be successful in the future. By concentrating on its core business, Migros aims to consolidate its position as the number one Swiss retailer. It aims to appeal to its customers with attractive prices, top quality and good service as well as a wide range of products for every budget.

Migros Cooperative Zurich will not renew its franchise agreement with Alnatura

Migros Cooperative Zurich, the franchisee of Alnatura Germany and operator of a total of 25 organic supermarkets throughout German-speaking Switzerland, will also focus on Migros' own sales channels for organic products in future. The operation of Alnatura organic supermarkets will cease in the medium term, and the franchising partnership that has been in place since 2012 will not be extended by mutual agreement. Patrik Pörtig, CEO of Migros Zurich, had the following to say: "Our partnership with Alnatura has helped to establish organic products in Switzerland as a sustainable alternative to conventional ones. After extensive analysis, we have now concluded that Migros Zurich is no longer the best operator for the Alnatura supermarkets. The withdrawal from this business model is based on our desire to focus consistently on Migros supermarkets and to align our resources accordingly." Customers who enjoy Alnatura organic products will continue to find what they are looking for at Migros. Alnatura products and an extensive organic range will continue to be provided at Migros stores and by Migros Online. The organic range will remain unchanged with around 2,400 products available. It is still unclear whether the Alnatura organic supermarkets will remain open. The franchisor and organic food producer Alnatura will evaluate alternative scenarios for the operation of these stores over the coming weeks. The company plans to provide information on this during the first half of 2025. For the time being, nothing will change for Alnatura customers. Business will continue as usual.