«Checkout Chat» – Shared moments to ward off loneliness
Published
29.04.2025
Many people feel lonely. The Checkout Chat initiative provides an opportunity for social interaction and relaxed conversation while shopping. Two Migros Basel locations and one Migros cooperative in Vaud are currently taking part.
In October 2022, the Verein «Gsünder Basel» association launched the Checkout Chat project in collaboration with the Migros Basel Cooperative and TopPharm pharmacy in Gellert. A review of the pilot phase showed strong demand for simple ways to communicate face-to-face in everyday life. That's why a third location was opened at a Migros store on 30 April 2025. The Migros Vaud Cooperative has been running a similar project since 2023.
There’s no hurry at the designated chat tills, where staff at the Migros stores in Gundelitor and Burgfelder as well as those at the TopPharm Gellert pharmacy in Basel take their time talking to customers. Trained volunteers also help customers pack their shopping. Customers who have even more time can continue chatting with staff over a coffee if they want.
The project, launched by the Gsünder Basel association in 2022, has been extremely well received. After all, it promotes a sense of community and social interaction in the region. Elderly people in particular often feel lonely, and loneliness can lead to serious health problems. Chat tills provide simple and uncomplicated opportunities for positive social experiences, creating islands of proximity amidst the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
As an implementation partner, the Migros Basel Cooperative has been involved in the Checkout Chat project from the outset. The initiative is supported by the Migros Culture Percentage. Checkout Chat was launched at two locations in the autumn of 2022. Due to strong demand, a third location was added at the Migros store in Burgfelder in the spring of 2025.
The Migros Vaud Cooperative has been running a very similar project at the Migros supermarket in Romanel-sur-Lausanne since 2023. The staff at the designated tills are always happy to take the time to chat with shoppers.
