Who are you?

Are you Migros or COOP? (pronounced ME-GROW and COE – OPE). This is a real question that any Swiss resident can readily answer.

The question represents the two largest grocery store chains in Switzerland, accounting for about 80% of Swiss sales. That’s where the question comes from because, generally speaking, a family is either Migros or COOP.

Some people, like a daughter of a “friend of mine”, almost refuse to go into a COOP. Allegiances can go deep, breaking friendships, ending romances and splitting churches.

Yes, we are Migros, going to the MM just up the hill nearly every day (fridges are tiny here). M’s are small, with just the basics. MM’s are bigger (that’s why there are two M’s) with more stuff, fresh veggies, books and other necessary items. MMM’s are not Sam’s but they are huge, with electronics, sports stuff, clothing and all the rest.

Some families belong to even smaller sects, such as Migros budget. These are generic items that come in the same M-Budget wrappers, promising you lower quality at lower cost. There are now M-Budget cell phones, vacations, TP, noodles and even M-Budget parties.