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What is the real status of the Müller health food stores?
Ulrich Rotzingereconomic chief
The Müller health food stores are well frequented these days. Natural cosmetics, Biotta juices, teas and plant-based Swiss cheese classics as well as vegan options for fondues are popular with customers.
But behind the scenes there is rumbling. Business at Müller Reformhaus Vital Shop AG, headquartered in Volketswil in Zurich, is apparently not going as well as it seems. Unrest has been spreading among the chain’s employees for weeks, according to the industry. Your employer will soon be downsizing. There is even talk of branch closures. Some even rumor that all 37 branches throughout Switzerland would soon close their shops. Others speak of individual locations in the traditional chain.
Employees and customers unsettled
Even before Christmas, Blick readers contacted the editorial office and reported on health food store employees who were wondering what to do next. Blick learned about the speculation about closures and downsizing from employees at various health food stores.
There is even said to be a lack of money to pay suppliers. An employee of a branch in the Bern area has been reporting financial bottlenecks to Blick for some time. “Suppliers only delivered against prepayment,” says the woman. According to her, empty shelves in the shop are justified to customers with delivery problems.
Muzzled by management
In the Zurich area, a person from the management of a branch says to Blick: “There will probably be changes. There may be investors who want to take us over.” The person does not want to say more. Apparently, the employees were muzzled by management.
Are these all just isolated cases? The Unia union is apparently in contact with individuals affected. Beyond that, however, there is no further reliable information, as trade unionist Christian Capacoel says when asked by Blick. There is also no further information in the Swiss Official Trade Gazette Shab. The last entry is from December 15, 2022. However, this is only about a resigned member of the Board of Directors.
Müller Reformhaus Vital Shop AG, based in Volketswil ZH, has repeatedly made headlines in the local press in recent years about the closure of individual branches and disappointed regular customers. On the other hand, the company bought up other stores that could no longer survive on their own. And invested money in a modern, uniform concept for all branches.
In the recent turbulence, the company has only confirmed the exit of the health food store in Olten SO train station since the beginning of December. The company cites an expiring rental agreement with SBB and strict regulations from the Canton of Solothurn’s therapeutic products authority as reasons. It is unclear whether expiring leases also apply to the branch in Bern train station, which is also rumored to be on the verge of closure.
Company boss Felber wants to inform on January 3rd
Shortly before the turn of the year, Blick confronted Mischa Felber, Managing Director at Reformhaus Müller, with the speculations and information from his staff.
Felber does not want to comment in detail, but confirms public information for next Tuesday, January 3, 2023. Apparently, the employees are informed about their future beforehand.
Felber attaches great importance to the fact that “every single employee” has received their wages on time so far. “To this day, no employee has received notice,” Felber told Blick. Transparency is key for him. He now focuses on the well-being of his employees.
Small consolation for the employees of the Müller health food stores: They don’t have to wait long before they have certainty about their future. And they have the word from the head of the company that their well-being is his priority.