Retail trade Despite online retail, the number of stores in Switzerland is increasing
Over the past ten years, more bricks-and-mortar retail stores have reappeared in Switzerland. However, online retail has experienced an even greater boom.
14.08.2024, 11:45
SDA
From 2014 to 2023, more stores were opened in Switzerland than closed, according to the financial information service Crif on Wednesday. Specifically, 5,349 new bricks-and-mortar stores were opened during this period, which corresponds to an increase of around 17 percent. In contrast, more than 31,000 stores disappeared in the period from 2009 to 2018.
The strongest growth was recorded by stores in the food, perfumery, beverage retail and flower and plant retail sectors. In contrast, retail outlets selling consumer electronics, computers and software disappeared particularly frequently. However, fewer bakeries, butchers and clothing stores were also counted.
While more stores disappeared than opened in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2019, the balance was positive in 2017, 2018 and from 2020 to 2023.
Online stores are booming
However, online stores recorded by far the highest growth rates. In the past ten years, around 42% net growth was recorded. There was a real growth spurt in 2020 and 2021 in particular due to the coronavirus pandemic.
In total figures, however, online stores are still clearly lagging behind. Only around 800 online stores were opened in 2023, compared to almost 4,000 brick-and-mortar stores.
Crif's survey took into account all retail businesses and online stores entered in the commercial register that were founded or deleted during the period under review.
