Bicycles, clothes and toys – Migros and Coop can sell – Dorflädeli no? – News

The allegations are abrupt: the Federal Council’s roadmap to loosen the crown’s measures in retail would distort competition. The Swiss Trade Association (SGV) writes of “unacceptable discrimination against retail SMEs by the Federal Council”.

Federal Council wants to reopen retail

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• Starting April 27, in addition to grocery stores, hardware stores, florists and nurseries can reopen.
• Range restrictions at grocery stores will be lifted starting April 27. If everyday and other goods are near supermarkets, they can be sold.
• Smaller stores will probably have to wait until mid-May.

Because while major retailers like Migros, Coop, or Landi can sell a large chunk of their wider range, in addition to groceries starting April 27, smaller stores will remain closed. “The Federal Council decision is a slap in the face of SME retail,” writes the trade association.

For example, Danielle Windlin is directly affected. She runs a clothing store with five employees in Sarnen: “I am disappointed with the decision and cannot understand it. In small shops in particular, distance rules could be followed. ” You can implement all of the BAG’s recommendations and prepare for a reopening in late April.

No matter what industry you ask in: Disappointment among small store owners is great everywhere. Daniel Schlöth, managing director of a home goods store in Zurich, has lost big sales due to the closure. “If wholesalers also sell frying pans and coffee makers in addition to Hörnli, then we will have even less sales than now,” he says.

Roland Hoffmann, Managing Director of “Roli’s Bike Station”, is not afraid of the main distributors, but of the reopening of the hardware stores. Because since the end of April, customers can also buy bikes there, while he still does not have direct contact with the customer and therefore can sell bikes. “It’s not fair. You should treat everyone the same. »

Confederation wants to clarify flexibility

The federal government relativized yesterday’s communication. Daniel Koch commented on the criticism at a press conference on Friday afternoon. “We do not want a major distortion of competition to emerge,” says the BAG delegate for Covid-19, adding: “It is not the case that large stores can now sell everything; but very few products»

Koch announced that detailed explanations of the non-everyday products that major distributors in its stores, where food is also sold, will be able to offer again from the end of April should be made.

But while explanations are not yet available, there is still a need for explanation.