Shopping abroad still very popular
Swiss households continue to enjoy shopping in nearby euro countries. This is the finding of the third GfK study "Foreign Purchases" (after 2012 and 2013) commissioned by the Swiss Retail Trade Interest Group (IG DHS), whose members include Coop, Denner, Manor and Migros.
57 percent of Swiss households make purchases abroad at least once a month. At an already high level, this proportion increased again compared with 2012 and 2013. In 2015, a total of around CHF 10.7 billion (+6 % compared with 2013) was spent abroad. The strongest increase in purchases abroad was recorded in Ticino last year. Another finding of the GfK study: purchases abroad are increasingly being combined with a trip and/or vacation. Young couples and singles in particular frequently shop abroad during vacations or business trips.
In addition, the Swiss are prepared to accept long journeys: The average distance traveled of 76 kilometers per targeted visit rose slightly again in 2015. Foreign purchases are therefore not limited to residents of immediate border regions. Food and near-food products such as personal care, household and hygiene articles continue to account for the largest share of foreign purchases in bricks-and-mortar retail. Next in line are clothing and footwear, sports, home furnishings and toys. (mr)
Here you will find an overview of the results of the GfK survey (PDF).
