Swiss Retail Sales Growth Hits 11-Month High

2026-07-01 06:55 By Joshua Ferrer 1 min. read

Retail sales in Switzerland climbed by 3.5% year-on-year in May 2026, far exceeding market expectations for a 0.8% gain and accelerating from a slightly upwardly revised 1.7% rise in the previous month.

The latest reading also marked the fastest growth in retail activity since June last year, driven largely by higher sales for non-food products excluding service stations, rising 4% from 2.3% in April.

In the non-food sector, revenues mainly increased for information and communication equipment (9% vs 0.3%), other goods (6.5% vs 0.8%), and via stalls and markets; mail order and internet (4.2% vs 1.8%).

Turnover also rose faster for food, beverages and tobacco, up 2.6% from 0.5%.

In contrast, activity declined further in service stations (-6.1% vs -2.7%).

Meanwhile, overall retail trade excluding service stations advanced 3.4% after rising 1.3% in the prior month.

On a seasonally adjusted monthly basis, retail sales grew by 0.5% in May, following an upwardly revised 0.2% gain in April.



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Swiss Retail Sales Growth Hits 11-Month High
Retail sales in Switzerland climbed by 3.5% year-on-year in May 2026, far exceeding market expectations for a 0.8% gain and accelerating from a slightly upwardly revised 1.7% rise in the previous month. The latest reading also marked the fastest growth in retail activity since June last year, driven largely by higher sales for non-food products excluding service stations, rising 4% from 2.3% in April. In the non-food sector, revenues mainly increased for information and communication equipment (9% vs 0.3%), other goods (6.5% vs 0.8%), and via stalls and markets; mail order and internet (4.2% vs 1.8%). Turnover also rose faster for food, beverages and tobacco, up 2.6% from 0.5%. In contrast, activity declined further in service stations (-6.1% vs -2.7%). Meanwhile, overall retail trade excluding service stations advanced 3.4% after rising 1.3% in the prior month. On a seasonally adjusted monthly basis, retail sales grew by 0.5% in May, following an upwardly revised 0.2% gain in April.
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