What are you buying?
What this solves
Swiss supermarkets come in three tiers: Coop and Migros dominate with similar prices (CHF, not EUR), Lidl and Aldi undercut by 20–35% on basics. But each has a distinct strength: Coop for wine + premium lines, Migros for chocolate + bread, Lidl for European staples, Aldi for low-cost groceries. Tourists buy everything at Coop without realising Migros is often 5–10% cheaper on basics.
How to read the results
- Best for category = which store is genuinely strongest in your chosen product.
- Premium alternative = the higher-end store if quality trumps price.
- Hours = typical opening hours. Sunday is closed by law (airport / station exceptions).
What this tool ignores
- Sunday closures — every supermarket closes on Sundays (federal law), with rare station / airport exceptions.
- Regional private shops (Volg, Spar, Landi) — often the only option in villages, slightly higher prices.
- Cashback / Supercard — Coop's Supercard gives 1–2% back; Migros' Cumulus is the same. Worth having for longer stays.
Common questions
Are Swiss supermarkets really expensive?
Yes — 30–50% above EU averages for cheese, bread, milk. Lidl and Aldi narrow the gap. Buying local cheese is the worst offender (CHF 22–28/kg Emmental vs ~EUR 12 in Germany).
Can I use euros?
Sometimes, but with poor exchange rates. Use TWINT, PostFinance, or cash in CHF. Coop and Migros don't accept euros. Migros doesn't accept Amex.
Where can I shop on Sunday?
Train station shops (Manor, Coop Pronto) and airport shops. Coop Pronto stations stay open limited hours. Otherwise — plan ahead.