The Swiss voice in the world since 1935
Top stories
Stay in touch with Switzerland

Swiss consumer habits changed by coronavirus

Shopping for food
People have been spending more on basics like food, less on clothes and cosmetics. They have also donated more. Keystone

Coronavirus lockdown has changed Swiss consumer habits as well as reduced the use of cash and cash machines, according to a survey.

The crisis has shifted people’s priorities, according to the NZZ am Sonntag, whose source is a survey by the PostFinance bank. For example, since tough measures were introduced in mid-March people have spent 53% less on hygiene and cosmetics than a year ago. Why put on make-up if you never leave the house, asks the paper.

Spending on clothes has fallen by more than half and spending on shoes by more than 80%. Basic services have become more important, with Swiss consumers spending significantly more (+18.6%) on food.

External Content

In addition, food is being delivered more frequently. Because pubs and restaurants are closed, spending on catering fell. While PostFinance customers in 2019 were still treating themselves to restaurant visits worth CHF67 million ($69 million), they spent around CHF13 million on them this spring. This amount can be explained by snack bars that are still open, the paper says.

Because hardly any leisure activities are allowed, you have to kill time at home in a different way, it continues. Spending on communication and media has skyrocketed. But the Swiss are apparently not thinking only of themselves. They donated around a fifth more during the crisis.

The PostFinance study was compiled from its customers’ online banking data, which were anonymised and legally verified, explains the NZZ am Sonntag. It covered both what was purchased with the PostFinance card in shops and online. PostFinance has around 2.7 million customers, almost 1.8 million of whom use e-banking.

Many of us will fall back into our old consumer habits when things return to normal, the paper comments, but the coronavirus will leave its mark.

More
Caritas charity shop

More

National Solidarity Day raises over CHF10 million for corona impacted

This content was published on Some CHF10.22 million was raised in a single day, Swiss SolidarityExternal link announced on Thursday evening. This brings the total collected since the beginning of the Covid-19 crisis to just under CHF28 million, making it the third-largest solidarity collection in the organisation’s history.  With the support of the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation, which also includes swissinfo.ch, Swiss…

Read more: National Solidarity Day raises over CHF10 million for corona impacted


Popular Stories

Most Discussed

News

Mürren

More

Earthquake hits Swiss Alps near Mürren

This content was published on The earth shook near Mürren in the Bernese Oberland on Monday afternoon with a magnitude of around 4.2 on the Richter scale.

Read more: Earthquake hits Swiss Alps near Mürren
For better public transport in Greater Geneva

More

Public transport in Geneva faces calls for overhaul

This content was published on Public transport services in Greater Geneva must better meet needs. The associations Transports et environnement (ATE) and Rail Dauphiné Savoie Léman (ARDSL) have drawn up a review of the situation, calling in particular for the Leman Express timetable to be extended.

Read more: Public transport in Geneva faces calls for overhaul
Zurich public prosecutor charges Sanija Ameti

More

Swiss politician who shot at baby Jesus risks fine

This content was published on The Zurich public prosecutor's office has brought charges against Zurich city parliamentarian Sanija Ameti for disturbing religious freedom. Ameti had shot at a picture of Jesus and Mary with an air pistol.

Read more: Swiss politician who shot at baby Jesus risks fine
New work of art by Saype adorns the Vaud Alps

More

New work by artist Saype adorns Swiss Alps

This content was published on The French-Swiss artist Saype has created a new giant painting on the summit of the Grand Chamossaire above Villars-sur-Ollon VD. The 2500 square metre work depicts a boy with a rucksack on his shoulders.

Read more: New work by artist Saype adorns Swiss Alps
Actor Carlos Leal returns to Switzerland

More

Swiss actor Carlos Leal leaves ‘arrogant’ LA

This content was published on According to "Schweizer Illustrierte", Swiss actor Carlos Leal is returning to Switzerland - after 15 years in Los Angeles. "It's become loud there, megalomaniacal and arrogant," he said in the online edition of the magazine.

Read more: Swiss actor Carlos Leal leaves ‘arrogant’ LA
Office of the Attorney General is investigating criminal charges relating to the sale of the Goldvreneli

More

Swissmint sued for alleged gold coin fraud

This content was published on A coin collector has filed a criminal complaint with the Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland against Swissmint, the federal mint, for fraud in connection with the sale of the limited-edition 100-franc gold Vreneli.

Read more: Swissmint sued for alleged gold coin fraud
Vreni Schneider gets a museum

More

Museum to open devoted to Swiss ski legend Vreni Schneider

This content was published on Vreni Schneider is to have a museum in the centre of her home village of Elm. The legendary Swiss ski racer has numerous memorabilia at home, which she is now releasing and exhibiting.

Read more: Museum to open devoted to Swiss ski legend Vreni Schneider
Unknown persons steal weapons from shooting range in Wittenbach SG

More

Weapons stolen from Swiss shooting range

This content was published on A shooting range in Wittenbach, northeastern Switzerland, was broken into on Sunday night. The unknown perpetrators stole several antique weapons.

Read more: Weapons stolen from Swiss shooting range

In compliance with the JTI standards

More: SWI swissinfo.ch certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative

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.

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR