A Century of Migros. More Than Just Groceries

We all know Migros for the go-to weekly shop, or if you live nearby like I do, the daily one. But there’s a whole lot more to this Swiss giant than bread rolls and barcodes. Founded in 1925, Migros has grown from a single delivery truck in Zurich to one of the country’s most trusted names. As we welcome Migros as a sponsor of Living In Nyon, we’re pulling back the curtain on one of Switzerland’s most quietly radical institutions. Because behind the iconic orange logo is a 100-year-old story of vision, values, and care. Migros isn’t just your local supermarket. It’s a pioneer in culture, cooperation, and social progress

@Migros

A Cooperative From Day One

Way before “co-op” became a buzzword in start-up culture, Migros founder Gottlieb Duttweiler was thinking differently. In 1941, he gave the company away, quite literally, transforming Migros into a cooperative owned by its customers and employees. His aim? To serve people, not just profit and is grounded in the idea of shared benefit. The values he put in place to promote the co-existence of all cultures; accessibility, affordability, and community still shape everything Migros does today.

What Is Migros Commitment?

Every year, Migros reinvests around 140 million CHF into society through what’s now known as the Migros Commitment. That’s more than a slogan, it’s a vast umbrella of initiatives that reach far beyond retail. It spans education, the arts, innovation, the environment and more. It promotes culture, funds bold social projects, and helps people live healthier lives. Here's how it happens:

The Migros Culture Percentage

Officially introduced in 1957 (but inspired by Duttweiler’s thinking as early as the 1940s), this programme dedicates a percentage of Migros’ annual revenue to cultural and social projects. In real terms, for every CHF 100 you spend at Migros, roughly CHF 1 goes directly into enriching Swiss society.

Gottlieb Duttweiler, who died in 1962 aged 74 @Migros

This adds up to about CHF 121 million per year funding everything from parks and public concerts to the Ecole-Club Migros (which began offering affordable French and English classes back in 1944), museums, music festivals, and even contemporary art spaces. Since its launch, the Culture Percentage has invested over CHF 5.4 billion into Switzerland’s cultural and social fabric. That’s a big impact, quietly made.

A 1944 Migros newspaper ad announces the launch of affordable language courses for cooperative members, offering classes in Italian, French, English, Spanish, and Russian for just 5 francs a month. @ Migros

The Migros Pioneer Fund

This is where innovation meets impact. Launched in 2012, the Pioneer Fund backs people with bold ideas that solve social problems. It's not afraid to take risks and is designed to support projects that tackle social and environmental challenges with fresh thinking and many of today’s most exciting community-driven projects got their start here.

The Migros Aid Fund

Since 1979, this fund has been supporting social and environmental projects, both in Switzerland and abroad. From  improving food security, championing women’s rights, or protecting biodiversity, the focus is always on meaningful, lasting impact.

Why It Matters? Especially here in Nyon

At LIN we value local connection, culture, and a sense of belonging, so Migros’ ethos feels right at home. From supporting Usine à Gaz to backing sustainability initiatives like Too Good To Go and La Banque Alimentaire, they’re not just present in the region, they’re a part of it.

In the months ahead, we’ll dive deeper into the Migros story: exploring their impact, meeting the people behind the projects, and shining a light on what a true community-first business looks like.

But for now, the next time you pick up your groceries, remember: your yoghurt and veggies are funding a whole lot more than dinner for you and your family. They’re helping fund education, art, inclusion, and opportunity, not just in Switzerland but right here in Nyon.