The Swiss trading group Migros has sold the Tegut supermarket chain. What will happen to branches, headquarters, employees and regional supply chains?

Fulda/Zurich – What is known so far is that Migros wants to sell around 200 of the more than 300 branches as well as the logistics center in Michelsrombach to Edeka. Both sides have already signed an agreement; The deal still requires the approval of the cartel office. The Tegut brand is to be abandoned.

Tegut sales: These companies are interested in branches

In addition, Migros is negotiating with Rewe about the second largest branch package. The discounter Aldi Nord is said to be interested in a single-digit number of locations, and according to thesmittel-Zeitung could Aunt Enso with its semi-autonomous mini supermarkets – and with ex-Tegut boss Thomas Gutberlet at the helm as the new managing director – also enter into sales discussions. For Migros, this competition could increase sales revenue and at the same time it would change the German food market – especially in East Hesse.

The development is particularly bitter for the employees at the Tegut headquarters on Gerloser Weg in Fulda. “It is not yet clear how many employees will continue to be employed there,” explains works council chairman Günter Ledermann when asked – this is part of the contract between Edeka and Migros. According to information from our newspaper, however, all employees at the headquarters are facing dismissal.

As early as the end of 2024, there was one at that time Around 120 jobs were cut as part of the restructuring program announced. Now the entire headquarters location seems to be on the brink of extinction. In a letter to employees, the works council writes that they are in close contact with management: “Our goal is to get clarity about the next steps as quickly as possible. In addition, we are taking legal action to provide you with the best possible support and protect your interests.”

Employees at the Tegut headquarters in Fulda are threatened with dismissal

The cut comes at a time in which Tegut has already significantly changed its branch network. The region only recently came to an end of the market in Hofbieber as well as the branch in Wüstensachsen announced. What is striking is that development did not follow the same path everywhere: While locations in East Hesse were abandoned, the company simultaneously expanded in other parts of Germany. Almost six months ago, Migros reported that new Tegut stores had just opened in Darmstadt and Frankfurt, among others.

The future of a project in Petersberg is also unclear: The well-known Tegut tents at the Landwehr were torn down due to poor building conditions. Just a few months ago, Migros assured that the market would be rebuilt. Werner Projektentwicklung GmbH, which owns the area, is responsible for the implementation. When asked, the company explained that it currently had no further information and could therefore not provide any information. An Edeka is practically around the corner on Pacelliallee, as is a Rewe in the Alte Ziegelei.

There are unanswered questions in many places: Which markets will be taken over by competitors in the future, and which may not find a new owner? In some places, however, unexpected opportunities could also arise: In Hünfeld, for example, the Rewe store there has been struggling with a cramped location for years. A possible solution would be to move 200 meters further – to Tegut's rooms in the Haune Center.

Will Rewe soon move to the Tegut location in the Haune Center in Hünfeld?

Another central point in the current discussions is the logistics center in Michelsrombach. The 92,000 square meter warehouse was built for a three-digit million sum and employed over 650 people only opened in 2023. According to Migros, Edeka wants to take over the warehouse, but the situation still causes uncertainty among the employees. The reason: The regional Edeka company Edeka Hessenring is currently planning another logistics center in Melsungen – just 70 kilometers from Michelsrombach.

However, the end of Tegut does not only have consequences for employees. Many companies could lose an important sales partner. The regional products that have been part of the range of Tegut markets for years include baked goods from the Antonius bakery, spirits from the Schlitzer distillery, ice cream from the Ice Saints from Gersfeld and eggs from the Rhön.

“Tegut has been an important and reliable regional partner for antonius for many years,” explain Ulrich Schmitt and Swen Friedrich from the antonius management team. Markets were supplied with vegetables such as cabbage and radishes, grains for muesli, fruit spreads and chutneys. Some branches even had their own shelves and a selection of bread. As a result of the takeover, Antonius will now adjust its cultivation and production planning. “In the coming weeks we will open up new sales channels for our products and talk to existing and potentially new partners,” say Schmitt and Friedrich. Basically, both are confident about the future. The market for regionally and sustainably produced food has become established and people are confident that they will continue to find good buyers in the future.