ZURICH, (Reuters) – If cooperative members approve, the Swiss supermarket chain Migros could sell liquor, wine and beer soon after its founder, a strict health advocate, banned alcohol sales in 1925.

In 1928, the alcohol ban was enacted. This happened three years after Gottlieb Duttweiler started his retail pioneering work. He sent out six trucks with basic products to direct sell to each household in one village.

Around 2.3 Million members of the cooperative, which runs the stores, can vote before June 4 on whether or not to break with the past and place booze on shelves. Opponents claim this will go against Duttweiler’s original philosophy.

Duttweiler was worried about his customers’ well-being and banned alcohol and tobacco from all the shops that he started from his trucking business. While tobacco is still banned, the addition of alcohol to shelves will be a problem.

According to addiction experts, it would remove safe harbor for alcoholics who want to shop. In April, more than 50% of the nearly 10,000 Swiss who were surveyed supported the sale of alcohol at Migros.

Willi Siegenthaler (76), a retired journalist, said that Gottlieb Duttweiler “would turn in his grave” if Migros sold alcohol.

Duttweiler started out selling coffee, tea, and sugar from his trucks. The group also has operations outside of Switzerland and generated almost 29 billion Swiss Francs (or $30 billion) in 2021.

Duttweiler’s socially-conscious principles continue to guide Duttweiler, who sponsors cultural and adult education. When profits increase, stores must reduce prices.

Stefan Zurbuchen (35) is a bicyclist and one of those who oppose booze. He said, “It is a deadly drug so it does not need to be distributed yet another supermarket.”

Mid-June will see the results.

($1 = 0.9621 Swiss francs)