Valora wants to return to its core business
Valora, an important distribution partner for Swiss publishers, was in turmoil for years. Last year, the situation was resolved - in terms of personnel and strategy. Here are the most important changes from the publishers' perspective.
The worst is behind us," Rolando Benedick, the new Chairman of the Board of Directors of retail giant Valora, told investors last September. At the annual results media conference on April 2, 2009, the tone was consequently much more relaxed, almost jubilant. Benedick was already praising "the new Valora" as an "outstanding company!"
The retail giant, which has a presence in seven countries and is the European market leader in its sector, has indeed undergone some changes over the past year. For example, the Board of Directors was replaced after a long tug-of-war, with Benedick's predecessor Fritz Ammann having to step down a year ago. And former CEO Peter Wüest was succeeded by Thomas Vollmoeller, who heads a similarly revamped management team. Valora also decided to refocus on its core business - kiosks, convenience stores, press and books as well as logistics for third parties.
The retail giant, which has a presence in seven countries and is the European market leader in its sector, has indeed undergone some changes over the past year. For example, the Board of Directors was replaced after a long tug-of-war, with Benedick's predecessor Fritz Ammann having to step down a year ago. And former CEO Peter Wüest was succeeded by Thomas Vollmoeller, who heads a similarly revamped management team. Valora also decided to refocus on its core business - kiosks, convenience stores, press and books as well as logistics for third parties.
Valora has already taken concrete steps. It has drawn up a new logistics concept for German-speaking Switzerland and Ticino. This was previously based at the company's headquarters in Muttenz and is now gradually being relocated to the new headquarters in Egerkingen. The press logistics are currently being relocated. Valora is also putting several depot locations into operation which, although supplied from Egerkingen, will in future shorten the supply routes in the regions.
Valora has also announced a new kiosk concept: on the one hand, the outlets are to be reduced in size and concentrated on the three core product ranges of tobacco, press and lottery. On the other hand, around 20 kiosks at railroad stations are to adopt the German "Presse und Buch" model. A P&B store has already been opened in Basel and Bern. Investments are also being made in personnel. With retroactive effect from January 1, 2009, Valora and the Syna trade union agreed for the first time on a collective employment contract which, among other things, stipulates binding minimum wages, a 13th monthly salary and paid vacations and training days.
Markus Knöpfli
Valora has also announced a new kiosk concept: on the one hand, the outlets are to be reduced in size and concentrated on the three core product ranges of tobacco, press and lottery. On the other hand, around 20 kiosks at railroad stations are to adopt the German "Presse und Buch" model. A P&B store has already been opened in Basel and Bern. Investments are also being made in personnel. With retroactive effect from January 1, 2009, Valora and the Syna trade union agreed for the first time on a collective employment contract which, among other things, stipulates binding minimum wages, a 13th monthly salary and paid vacations and training days.
Markus Knöpfli
Market data
Valora estimated the kiosk market in Switzerland at CHF 1.7 billion in 2008. With its 1149 outlets in German-speaking Switzerland and Ticino, Valora estimates its own market share at 60 percent. Valora also supplies some 1100 other outlets (Coop, petrol station stores, SKIV kiosks) with goods on a daily basis. In 2007, Valora generated 48 percent of its kiosk sales from tobacco products (margin: 15%), 23 percent from press and books (margin: 30%), 17 percent from food (margin: > 50%) and the remainder from non-food and services (margin: > 50% and 100%). (mk)
