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The work hammer at Manor was recently reduced. The department store chain is cutting 476 jobs in Switzerland. “It will be a very difficult year,” said Manor boss Jérôme Gilg (44).
Another department store operator is struggling: Globus. The Thai Central Group and the Austrian Signa took over the Globus Group from Migros last February.
The goal now is to optimally position the iconic Globus department stores for the next generations, says Globus CEO Franco Savastano in an interview with the “Neue Zürcher Zeitung” (Monday edition).
CEO gives guarantees
Savastono guarantees three things. “Globus is definitely not going to be an elite store,” says the department store manager. The announced funds of 300 million francs will be invested despite the corona pandemic, where it makes sense for the next twenty to thirty years. Y: The Globus Group wants to focus on the ten department stores and the online channel.
The department store group will start the renovation in Zurich in March 2021. The flagship of the Bahnhofstrasse in Zurich will be partially converted. The second location in Geneva will follow in the fall. Most of the investment will go to the building in Basel. Globus plans to completely empty the building and rebuild the interior. This conversion should start in 2022.
No closings planned
Savastono denies the closure of department stores in Lucerne or Locarno TI, on which there has been speculation. The goal is to be the lead house in the remaining ten locations. Geneva, Basel, Zurich and Lausanne are becoming more and more luxurious. Bern, Lucerne and St. Gallen stay with Premium.
According to Savastano, the new owners want to transform the Globus group into a group of luxury department stores. Depending on the location, this will mean premium or luxury. There is still a lot of potential, for example in accessories, bags and shoes. Globus is already high up with Delicatessa, Home & Household and in the beauty business.
Department stores yes, but …
Online commerce remains an important pillar. In Corona’s first phase in spring, Globus grew online by more than 50 percent. As a result, the share of online business sales will increase from 10 to 15 percent this year.
The online store is now the third largest “branch” and is operating profitably.
In July, the 31 fashion stores that had previously also belonged to Globus, former Schild stores and Navyboot branches were sold. The buyers are the Bayard couple and businessman Thomas Herbert. At that time they announced that they wanted to continue the business. When BLICK asked again if it would stay that way or not, the Bayards declined to comment. (SDA / uro)
