The drugstore chain Müller wants to continue to grow in Switzerland. This year, the company has announced that it is investing 28 million euros in nine new openings and four location expansions. This is the highest number of new openings in Switzerland in one year. The focus is on first-class locations, innovative service concepts and a broad product range. Müller offers 190,000 items in Switzerland, most of which are imported and re-labelled from Germany. This includes 11,000 items that are exclusively available in Switzerland.

A chain with flagship shops

The retail group is celebrating its 20th anniversary in Switzerland this year and is underlining its expansion strategy with an increase in floor space of more than 10,000 square metres. The Group currently operates 89 shops in Switzerland. The flagship locations include branches in Berne, Lucerne near Lake Lucerne, in the old town of Winterthur and in Montreux on Lake Geneva. The largest shop is in Berne with a sales area of almost 2,000 square metres on seven floors, while the smallest is in Zermatt with 232 square metres. ‘Müller sees itself as a brand store with the widest range of products in Switzerland - from affordable products to luxury items,’ emphasises Managing Director Elke Menold.

Digitalisation is also underway

Further new openings are planned in Zurich, Wittenbach and Aarau, among others. As part of the takeover of toy retailer Franz Carl Weber, the three locations in Zug, Zurich-Altstetten and Zurich-Bahnhofplatz will be converted into Müller shops. Nine of the original 22 locations have been closed. At the same time, Müller is pushing ahead with digitalisation and launching the expansion of an online shop and express pick-up in shops. ‘Switzerland remains a growth market for us,’ emphasises Menold. Müller is represented in eight countries across Europe with more than 900 shops and employs more than 35,000 people.

Source: Müller