Retail trade Swiss population remains in a spending mood despite crises
Despite the tense economic situation, the propensity to spend in Switzerland remains unbroken. According to the consumption indicator compiled by Postfinance, the Swiss spent more money in May than in the previous year, particularly on eating out and leisure activities.
23.06.2025, 10:23
23.06.2025, 10:24
SDA
The consumption indicator rose by 1.6 percent year-on-year in May, according to a press release issued on Monday. The positive trend from the previous months is thus continuing. The indicator had already risen by more than 1 percent in each of the first four months.
The Swiss economy is currently going through a difficult phase, according to the statement. The export industry in particular is suffering from the strong franc. However, this has hardly had any impact on the consumer behaviour of the Swiss population and private consumption is thus making an important contribution to stabilizing the economy as a whole.
More spending on leisure and gastronomy
Spending on leisure and restaurants is particularly easy on the wallet. This is astonishing, especially as these areas are often the first to be saved in uncertain times, according to the report. Spending on "beauty & wellness" also increased slightly.
There was a stable trend in everyday spending. Spending on food increased slightly, while spending on knowledge articles such as books and teaching materials fell slightly.
There was also a slight decline in travel spending in May. The main reason for this was a decline in bookings for travel arrangements, according to the report. Spending on hotel accommodation, on the other hand, increased.
Every month, Postfinance anonymously evaluates the payment transactions of 2.4 million customers. The consumption indicator calculated from this shows consumer spending adjusted for sales day and public holiday effects in a year-on-year comparison or on a seasonally adjusted basis compared to the previous month.
