If you’ve spent time in Switzerland, you will have noticed that most shops close on Sundays. It’s a part of Swiss law and culture to treat Sunday as a day of rest. But it can be a major inconvenience when you forget to shop on Saturday.
Right now, most shops in Switzerland are legally allowed to open for just four Sundays a year. But Swiss lawmakers are weighing a Federal Council proposal that would relax these restrictions and allow shops to open for 12 Sundays a year.
The consultation period for that proposal, which was put forth by the Canton of Zurich, ended on Monday. Next, the Federal Council will amend the bill based on the cantons’ feedback and submit it to Parliament for debate and a decision.
Some cantons, like Geneva, have come out in favor, saying it would be good for business.
Others, like Neuchâtel, have come out against the proposal. For some Swiss people, shops closing on Sunday is a cherished part of the country’s culture: it allows workers time to rest and means there’s one day a week when cities aren’t so packed. And as one of our readers put it: “Who can’t organise their lives so that their retail therapy needs aren’t met in the remaining six days a week?”
But as we all know, sometimes things get in the way of our Saturday grocery run. So here are some options if you wake up on Sunday and realise you have nothing to eat.
READ MORE: Mixed reactions to plan to open shops on Sundays in Switzerland
Train station shops
Perhaps the best-known solution for an empty pantry on a Sunday, train station grocery stores are typically open every day in Switzerland. Supermarkets including Coop Pronto, Migrolino, Spar Express and Avec have train station locations that are open seven days a week.
But beware: because these are some of the only places open on Sundays, they can get quite crowded. Be prepared for long lines and a packed aisles if you decide to head to your nearest Bahnhof for groceries.
Shops in airports are often open seven days a week as well, but this is unlikely to be helpful, unless you were already planning on flying somewhere.
Gas station convenience stores
Often convenience stores at gas stations remain open on Sundays. Of course, these shops won’t meet your needs for fresh produce or high-end ingredients, but if you need a quick snack or a litre of milk, you may be in luck.
Tourist or ski resort shops
If you happen to be staying at or near a ski resort in Switzerland, some shops open seven days a week, particularly during tourist season.
Sonntagsverkauf
If you’re lucky, there’s also a possibility that you’ll be able to go to your local shops like normal on a Sunday.
Shops across Switzerland are allowed to open four days a year, typically in the lead-up to holidays like Christmas or Swiss National Day. This is called Sonntagsverkauf (Sunday shopping). Some cantons, like Zurich, are pushing to allow more Sonntagsverkauf throughout the year, including through the current Federal Council proposal.
