Vorarlberg Milch shocks with range cuts – customers are outraged!

Vorarlberg Milch shocks with range cuts – customers are outraged!

In a surprising twist, Vorarlberg Milch has decided to ax almost half of its range after the company merged with NÖM. Popular products affected include buttermilk, pudding, milk chocolate and 0.5 liter milk. The background to this measure is official information based on economic reasons and low production volumes. But how do consumers and retailers react to these drastic cuts? VOL.at captured the voices from the region.

Retailers like Sutterlüty and Spar are critical of the decision. Many of the canceled products are particularly popular in the region and will now disappear from the shelves. Rainer Wender from Krumbach expresses his concerns and emphasizes that regionality is suffering while large companies swallow up smaller providers. Monika Fuchs from Dornbirn speaks of a real impudence and regrets the loss of the traditional brand that stands for the region.

The voices from the region

Opinions on Vorarlberg Milch's decision vary. Elmar Fink from Dornbirn is rather relaxed about the cuts and notes that there are enough alternatives on the market. “There are other products that you can use anyway,” is his assessment. Steffi Feuerstein, also from Dornbirn, sees it completely differently: She thinks it's a shame that the supply is being reduced, but she sincerely hopes that the milk will continue to come from Vorarlberg.

Paul Hämmerle from Bregenz criticizes the influence of large corporations on local products. “If we lose regional products, we will also lose part of our identity,” is his urgent warning. With this decision, Vorarlberg Milch would like to increase its efficiency and reduce costs while concentrating on its core products in the future. This resulted in the reduction of several product lines - a move that disappointed many consumers.

A fine line between economic efficiency and regionality

Reducing the range is an example of the challenges many companies face in today's economy. While Vorarlberg Milch presents its economic considerations, the reactions of consumers and retailers show that the anchoring of regionality plays a crucial role. It remains to be seen whether consumers will agree to this move or ultimately call it a loss.

Further information about the background to this drastic decision can be found at ORF Vorarlberg. Further developments and the reaction of the affected producers are discussed here.