Switzerland’s price regulator will continue to keep a close watch on the effects of the strong franc for consumers, especially the cost of imports.
This content was published on
1 minute
swissinfo.ch and agencies
Stephan Meierhans already demanded last year that importers and retailers adapt the prices of goods and services they were bringing into the country.
A number of investigations were launched into suspected price gouging and contact was made with producers, importers of brand name products as well Migros and Coop, Switzerland’s two biggest retailers. A full report into pricing practices should be released by the middle of the year.
Meierhans will also keep the healthcare and social sectors under surveillance. Presenting his annual report on Friday in Bern, he said that his campaign last year to implement a systematic comparison of the price of pharmaceuticals in Switzerland and abroad had helped rein in costs for consumers.
The price watchdog will scutinise plans to increase the cost of tickets for public transport in 2012. He fears though that if parliament sets profit targets for transport companies, he will have little latitude to influence those costs.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Calls for action over pricey imports
This content was published on
He said he was considering a set of measures, including legal amendments, to be discussed by the cabinet next week, but refused to give further details. “It is really important that a sign be given,” said Schneider-Ammann following Wednesday’s meeting with representatives of Swiss producers, importers and retailers as well as consumer groups and federal…
This content was published on
Last week the economics ministry confirmed what has long been suspected: consumers only partly enjoy lower prices for products imported from the eurozone. The news was followed by June’s price consumption statistics, which revealed that overall, the prices of imported goods and services had not changed compared to a year ago. Switzerland ranks among “the…
This content was published on
Research has shown that Swiss shoppers still have to pay substantially more than European counterparts despite the euro losing ground to the franc for several months. Traders have blamed this on the rising cost of raw materials. Switzerland has traditionally been known as a high price island for consumers thanks to a higher earning potential…
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.