Swiss retail giants Migros and Coop to reduce indoor heating

GENEVA (AA) - Swiss retail giants Migros and Coop have decided to reduce thermostat and light use in shops due to the looming energy crisis, local media reported on Friday.

At Migros, the temperature will be reduced to just 19 degrees Celsius, news portal Nau.ch reported.

Coop will also reduce the temperature in stores and offices by two degrees, it added.

Customers will not only have to prepare for cooler temperatures, but also for less lighting, according to the report.

Both wholesalers confirmed that they will do without their Christmas lights this year, to save energy.

In the worst case, even the food range could be reduced.

"Instead of numerous types of bread, for example, we might then produce only five varieties," said a Migros spokesman.

But it is not only in retail that savings are being made in Switzerland.

The country’s oldest city of Chur is doing without an ice rink for skating this year.

According to the city authorities, the costs of assembly and disassembly of the ice rink are very cost-intensive.