SRF
After five generations and more than 140 years of existence, the Schubiger department store in Glarus is closing its doors for economic reasons.
This content was published on
July 02, 2024 – 11:00
According to figures from the market research institute CRIF, nearly 32,000 stores disappeared in Switzerland between 2009 and 2019, despite population growth. The coronavirus pandemic has pushed even more customers to abandon traditional retail in favor of online shopping, which has made the situation worse.
One of them is the Schubiger department store in Glarus. The big sales there are now over. Where just a few days ago a clientele of regulars were hunting for bargains by rummaging through the aisles, there is now a sad end-of-year atmosphere. The shelves have been dismantled, unsold goods have been packed into bags and crates.
Cleaning instead of selling: Hans Schubiger takes charge of dismantling the store himself
SRF
In the middle of it all, Hans Schubiger, who has run the department store in Näfels for five generations, is removing panels from the wall using a cordless screwdriver.
“It’s simply heartbreaking.”
Having to close the family business after 141 years is clearly weighing on him. “The feelings are mixed,” says Hans Schubiger. “Some days you just want to cry.” For him, it is clear that there was no other solution than to close the store.
“The big retailers offer big discounts, around 30%, especially for toys,” he explains. “As a small specialist market, we can’t compete.” At Schubiger, toys accounted for about half of sales. So they had to face reality and draw a line under the fence.
With the Schubiger department store, Näfels loses one of its oldest stores. This family business was founded in 1883. It was at that time that Gallus and Anna Maria Schubiger bought a house and opened the Schubiger bazaar.
The Schubiger department store in 1904.
courtesy
Even back then, you could buy all sorts of things in this department store. Everything that the people of Glarus needed on a daily basis – except salt, which was sold elsewhere. Almost 20 years later, the family business moved to its current location – a brick building with two large shop windows.
In January 2014, Hans Schubiger, representing the fifth generation, took over the management of the department store. In the coming days, he will still be busy with cleaning work. Afterwards, he will turn his back on the retail sector – and also on independence. In August, he will start a new activity as an employee.
According to a study by the University of St. Gallen, traditional shops are currently experiencing a new renaissance. People in Germany, Austria and Switzerland are once again shopping more often in-store than online. However, for the family business Schubiger, this trend reversal has come too late.
