Desires promoted by TikTok

Labubu – doesn't mean anything to you? They are little monster dolls, which are popular as key rings – and currently the in thing on TikTok. I'm 40 years old and have never been on TikTok. But I still know exactly what's hot on the social media channel: this year, it's been extra hot Takis crisps, sweet green Dubai ­chocolate and air fryers. Perennial favourites include matcha – a powder made from green tea­ leaves – and all products with high protein content, including quark, bars and drinks.

So how come I know these trends? Because I'm a store manager and my employees and I are often asked whether, for example, we have matcha powder or Labubu dolls in stock. With over 40,000 products in the Migros range, there is a good chance we have what they want. The latest trends usually soon find their way onto our shelves.

Customers are very disappointed if we don't have a particular product. While only the very biggest Migros stores carry the entire range, there are various ways to get the product you want at your favourite Migros branch­: feedback ­forms that you can fill in are available at the checkout. Alternatively, you can make your request by calling the M-Infoline ­or, the easiest option of all, speak to a store manager. If Migros stocks the product and I have capacity in my store, I will include the ­product requested if possible – like the vegan alternative to whipped cream that a customer recently asked me about very nicely.

My personal favourite product is salted Napfgold butter from the Entlebuch. After all, I'm originally from Central Switzerland. This butter is only available at Migros Lucerne, however, as it is a labelled product “From the region. For the ­region”. That's why I unfortunately can't sell it in my ­store in Affoltern am Albis. I have to cross the cantonal border to buy some. It's a good thing I'm not on TikTok – otherwise my favourite butter would probably soon be sold out everywhere!