The starting signal was given mid-February when Coop introduced familiar organic brands in its outlets. Since then consumers have been able to buy, among other products, Gala cheese from Emmi and Chips Nature from Zweifel sporting the BioSuisse hallmark. In the course of the year further products will follow.
Philipp Wyss, marketing and purchasing chief of Coop, came up with the idea when he visited local producers during a 2011 Asian journey. "I thought the producers of Swiss brands could be made enthusiastic for organic produce." Early 2012 he discussed these ideas with colleagues from the purchasing department. Their response: impossible. Nevertheless, Wyss managed to secure two exclusive interviews with Unilever and biscuit producer Kambly, resulting in a collaboration. Wyss, unfortunately, could not convince everyone. Chances of an organic version of Rivella remain remote for now.
