In dialogue with stakeholders
Migros always has time to listen to social concerns. It works with various stakeholders from society and politics and maintains an active dialogue with its customers.
As Switzerland's largest retailer and private employer, Migros is in touch with numerous stakeholder groups. As part of the Group strategy process, Migros has identified customers, employees, cooperative members and suppliers as central groups of contact.
In addition, Migros is in constant dialogue with social institutions and groups such as authorities, the media, associations and pressure groups as well as NGOs. The forms of dialogue range from informal meetings to memberships through to partnerships. Migros has also concluded longer-term cooperation agreements with some organisations, on matters such as the responsible procurement of products and raw materials.
A list of the memberships and partnerships can be found here.
Regular dialogue with NGOs
The Issue Management & Sustainability department is in contact with non-governmental organisations (NGOs). The aim is to maintain a constructive dialogue with these organisations, to identify early on what topics interest them and to pick up interesting ideas. In 2012 Migros met many NGOs including Greenpeace Switzerland, the Berne Declaration and Helvetas. The discussions revolved around topics such as the sustainable procurement of plant-based raw materials, production conditions in developing countries, and global water supplies.
Political commitment
The Directorate of Economic Policy is responsible for the strategic orientation of Migros' economic policy. It represents the interests of Migros to authorities and associations as well as the concerns of customers for Migros and in general. For example, at the Swiss federal referendum in spring 2012, Migros fought against the reintroduction of fixed book prices which would lead to excessive prices for books.
In 2012 the commitment of the economic policy focused in particular on measures against the increasing levels of shopping tourism. Migros campaigned for an amendment of antitrust law in order to counteract the absorption of purchase power of many international producers of branded goods in Switzerland. Migros also campaigned for a moderate extension of store opening hours on working days, as liberal legislation abroad is tempting shoppers to cross the border. Other core issues were the 2014–2017 agricultural policy and the stronger service orientation of direct payments; these contribute towards a more ecological orientation of agriculture, a higher degree of animal welfare and more competitiveness in agriculture.
Strategic partnerships with WWF and IP-Suisse
Migros and WWF Switzerland have been working together in a strategic partnership since 2009. This successful collaboration was renewed in 2012; in addition, mutual objectives were set in the areas of climate protection, sustainable consumption and biological diversity up to 2015. The company continues to support the activities of WWF in the area of child and youth work. In 2012, as part of the joint activities launched for the benefit of nature and the environment, the two partners also sought ideas for the promotion of sustainable consumption with the «Idées Vertes» competition.
Under the «TerraSuisse» label, Migros cooperates as a partner with IP-Suisse, the association of Swiss integrated production farmers. These farmers provide additional services in the area of animal welfare and biodiversity. In turn, Migros provides IP farmers with part of the costs for nature measures.