Opinion poll: Swiss object to paying ‘premium prices’ for imported goods
A German national will pay 25% less for a toy "made in China" than a Swiss person.
Keystone
Swiss citizens are chafing at the “premium prices" they pay for branded imported goods, according to an opinion poll published by Le Matin Dimanche and SonntagsBlick.
Seven out of ten people believe that Swiss prices on such products are too high, according to the survey conducted by the GFS-Zurich Institute cited by the Sunday news weeklies.
For example, newspapers are still 51% more expensive in Switzerland than in France. A German national will pay 25% less for a toy “made in China” than a Swiss, according to the media reports.
But there is one exception: electronics are cheaper in Switzerland. This, according to the French-speaking Federation of Consumers, is “proof that it is possible to act against the island of high prices.”
Another finding of the survey is that shopping tourism has become more widespread and not just in the border region. Half of those surveyed said they “regularly” shop in neighboring countries.
The survey was commissioned by the organisers of the initiative ” Stop a l’îlot de cherté – pour des prix equitable.” It was conducted late 2019 and obtained the input of 1,012 people in Switzerland.
The popular initiative targets general importers and foreign suppliers who abuse their power and keep prices artificially high in Switzerland.
Supporters want the Swiss government to allow Swiss companies to buy abroad directly, without being obliged to go through importers and suppliers.
The Swiss parliament’s economic affairs committee took up the issue in October, adapting the Federal Council’s more measured counter-proposal. Parliamentarians are expected to review both texts in the spring.
Popular Stories
More
Swiss Abroad
The citizenship obstacle course facing spouses of Swiss Abroad
Swiss committee wants to end government resignations during legislative term
This content was published on
Members of the Federal Council should no longer be able to leave office before the end of their term, according to a House of Representatives committee.
Swiss government seat: Ritter and Pfister nominated to succeed Amherd
This content was published on
Markus Ritter from St Gallen and Martin Pfister from Zug were officially nominated by the Centre Party on Friday to succeed Defence Minister Viola Amherd.
Top Swiss court rejects Russian request for administrative tax assistance
This content was published on
There is currently no reason to transmit banking information to the Russian Federation, the Swiss Federal Court has ruled.
After strike by radiologists, doctors demonstrate in Bern
This content was published on
Following a strike by radiology technicians in Fribourg, doctors, vets, dentists and chiropractors expressed their frustration on Friday outside parliament in the Swiss capital.
Eurovision and bleak world situation are top themes at Basel carnival
This content was published on
The Eurovision Song Contest and the gloomy global situation are among the main themes of Basel Fasnacht (carnival) this year.
Prices of Swiss investment properties continue to rise despite stagnating rents
This content was published on
Although rents in Switzerland stagnated or fell in the final quarter of last year, prices for investment properties continued to rise. Both apartment buildings and office properties have become more expensive.
Probe into wrong Swiss pension figures clears federal office
This content was published on
Employees of the Swiss Federal Social Insurance Office (FSIO) did not breach their duty of care when calculating pension prospects, an investigation has concluded.
This content was published on
Hotels in the southern Swiss canton of Ticino welcomed significantly more guests last December than in the same month of the previous year.
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
Bizarre or idealistic? Swiss initiatives come in all forms
This content was published on
The Swiss can vote on cow horns, footpaths or even minarets: issues that may seem exotic, attracting worldwide attention.
The four ingredients of a successful people’s initiative
This content was published on
The people’s initiative is the fundamental instrument of Swiss direct democracy, but what's needed to make it successful?
How Swiss direct democracy made a comeback after authoritarian rule
This content was published on
It wasn’t until 1949 – exactly 70 years ago – that Switzerland returned from authoritarian rule and put direct democracy back on solid footing.
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.