Retail sales in Switzerland rose by 3.2% year-on-year in August 2026, up from an upwardly revised 2.6% growth in July and above market forecasts of 2.2%. This was the strongest increase in three months.
By category, sales of food, beverages, and tobacco advanced 2.1%, accelerating from 1.4% in the previous month. Non-food sales excluding petrol stations also strengthened, climbing 3.4% after 2.4%, supported by notable gains in other household equipment, textiles, DIY, and furniture (up 5.0% vs 1.9%), as well as in other goods (up 5.6% vs 3.3%). Sales of cultural and recreational goods returned to growth, edging up 0.2% after a 1.7% decline.
In contrast, turnover decreased in information and communication technology products (-0.3% vs +3.2%) and in mail-order and internet retailing (-3.1% vs +2.8%). Overall retail sales at service stations also continued to contract, falling 7.5% after a 0.7% decline.
On a seasonally adjusted monthly basis, total retail sales increased by 0.4% in August, following a 0.1% rise in July.
