Swiss Retail Sales Beat Expectations

2026-09-01 06:54 By Czyrill Jean Coloma 1 min. read

Retail sales in Switzerland rose 2.3% year-on-year in July 2026, accelerating from an upwardly revised 1.9% increase in June and surpassing market expectations of 1.3%.

Growth in non-food sales excluding petrol stations strengthened to 1.8% from 1.5%, driven by rebounds in other goods (2.2% vs -1.2%) and sales via stalls and markets, as well as mail-order and internet retail trade (3.8% vs -1.9%).

However, growth slowed for information and communication technology products (2.8% vs 13.2%) and other household equipment, textiles, DIY and furnishing supplies (0.8% vs 1.7%), while declines deepened for publishing products, sports equipment and toys (-2.0% vs -0.6%).

Overall retail activity was also supported by a return to growth in sales at petrol stations (0.2% vs -7.8%).

In contrast, sales of food, beverages and tobacco products eased (1.2% vs 2.0%).

On a seasonally adjusted monthly basis, retail activity edged down to 0.1% from 0.3% in June, marking its lowest reading since April.



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