Swiss spend record amounts abroad
Private consumption is an important pillar of the Swiss economy. However, current figures show a clear trend: more and more Swiss people are making their purchases beyond the country's borders. In 2025, these expenditures abroad reached a new record high of 9.2 billion Swiss francs in total.
This increase in cross-border shopping poses major challenges for the Swiss retail sector. Many consumers are taking advantage of price differences in neighboring countries to save money on groceries, clothing, or services. The effect is particularly noticeable in border regions, as customers regularly cross the border to run their errands.
Experts are observing this development with concern, as the purchasing power spent abroad is missing from the domestic economy. Private domestic consumption is a decisive factor for the growth and stability of the Swiss labor market. When money increasingly flows into foreign coffers, it has a direct impact on the sales of local businesses.
In summary, cross-border shopping remains a significant issue for the Swiss economy. Whether this trend will continue in the coming years or whether domestic retailers can counteract it with new strategies remains to be seen in the further economic development.