We've actually been on the lookout for a suitable location in the Engadin since the mids. We even investigated a few potential sites, but it never ended up working out. Basically, we needed a large-scale location in order to offer customers our full product range. Sometimes we couldn't reach an agreement with the person selling the land and this may have been due to them being advised not to sell to Migros.
Local businesses didn't want the competition, which is something that β in the early days β Migros experienced in other parts of Switzerland too. In Grisons, there was even a long period when we were forbidden from using our sales vans. Transport by road would have created some challenges, especially in winter. But now we transport goods by lorry from the operations centre in Gossau SG to Landquart GR and from there, they're transported via the Rhaetian Railway to the Engadin.
The entire transport process will be carbon neutral thanks to the use of trains and biogas and hydrogen-powered lorries. Yes, we're definitely considering it. But for now, we're just looking forward to opening the Samedan store. So, when I was first approached for the job, I didn't hesitate. I knew I wanted it and was prepared to move from Landquart to Samedan.
So, I'm now kilometres away from all my friends. But the project is too exciting to let homesickness get in the way. Within the last year, I've recruited a good 40 employees.
I really wanted to find people who are motivated and enthusiastic and who are passionate about the project we're going to embark on together. The majority of them weren't familiar with Migros β how could they be? So, we set up a special training programme to make sure they understood the culture and processes at Migros inside out.
