Prices, quality, opening hours, and what to actually buy at each chain — a practical guide for travellers.
Switzerland is one of the most expensive countries in Europe to eat out in — but its supermarkets tell a more nuanced story. Depending on which chain you walk into, you can shop at prices that rival budget supermarkets in France or Germany, or you can pay premium rates for locally sourced Swiss produce that genuinely justifies the cost. The key is knowing the difference before you step through the door.
This guide covers the four main chains you will encounter as a traveller: Coop Switzerland, Migros, Aldi Switzerland, and Lidl. Whether you are stocking up for a mountain hike, looking for a cheap lunch, or hunting for Swiss specialities to bring home, each has a distinct role in the Swiss retail landscape.
Switzerland's grocery market is dominated by two Swiss cooperatives — Coop and Migros — which together control around 70% of food retail in the country. The German discounters Aldi and Lidl arrived later and have steadily grown their market share, particularly among price-conscious shoppers and tourists who are not obliged to be loyal to the Swiss chains.
There is no single answer to which is "best." The right choice depends on what you need: local products and variety, or the lowest possible price on basics.
| Chain | Price Level | No. of Stores (CH) | Sells Alcohol? | Own Brands |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coop | Mid–Premium | ~2,300 | Yes | Coop, Prix Garantie, Fine Food, Bio |
| Migros | Mid | ~700 | No | M-Classic, M-Budget, Bio, Sélection |
| Aldi Switzerland | Budget | ~240 | Yes | Mostly own-label |
| Lidl | Budget | ~180 | Yes | Mostly own-label |
Store counts are approximate. Coop figure includes smaller formats (Coop City, Coop Pronto, Coop Restaurant).
The Coop supermarket is Switzerland's second-largest retailer by revenue (though it operates more individual outlets than Migros). Founded in 1890 as a cooperative, it remains structured as one today — profits are reinvested rather than distributed to external shareholders. Coop Switzerland stores are found in virtually every Swiss town, from city-centre flagship stores to small village branches.
Coop's range is notably broad. The Prix Garantie line offers budget-friendly basics; Fine Food covers premium and imported products; and the Bio range (organic) is well-stocked and genuinely popular among Swiss shoppers rather than being a token offering. Coop is also one of the few Swiss supermarkets with a strong prepared food section — hot counters, sushi, and fresh sandwiches — making it a practical lunch stop in cities.
One practical note: unlike Migros, Coop sells alcohol, including an extensive wine selection with good representation from Swiss cantons (Valais Fendant, Ticino Merlot) and international regions.
Migros is Switzerland's largest retailer by turnover and a genuinely unusual business — a cooperative supermarket that sells no alcohol, no tobacco, and no pornography, by a founding principle established by Gottlieb Duttweiler when he launched the chain in 1925. This is not a legal restriction but a deliberate values decision that has remained in place for a century. You will not find beer at Migros. You will find nearly everything else.
The M-Budget line is one of the best budget own-brand ranges in Swiss retail — pasta, canned goods, flour, and dairy at prices that compete directly with Aldi. M-Classic covers mid-range, and M-Sélection handles premium. The Migros Bio organic range is extensive. Migros also operates its own in-house bakeries in most large stores, producing bread throughout the day.
Migros supermarket stores are typically larger format than Coop branches and often anchor Swiss shopping centres. They also operate the Migros Restaurant self-service cafeteria — a Swiss institution, cheap by local standards, popular with pensioners and families, and a genuinely good option for a hot meal when you do not want restaurant prices.
Aldi Switzerland entered the Swiss market in 2005 and steadily expanded to around 240 stores. The formula is the same as elsewhere in Europe: a limited product range (roughly 1,800 SKUs versus 30,000+ at Coop), mostly own-label, with the weekly "Special Buys" aisle (non-food items at discounted prices) running down the centre of the store.
For travellers on a tighter budget, Aldi is a meaningful option. Basic goods — bread, milk, eggs, pasta, canned tomatoes, yoghurt — consistently run 20–40% cheaper than the equivalent at Coop or Migros. The Swiss-origin products (dairy especially) meet the same quality standards required by Swiss law. The wine selection is small but not negligible, with a few French and Italian bottles at prices that undercut the Swiss chains significantly.
The main limitation is coverage: with around 240 stores, Aldi is concentrated in larger Swiss cities and towns. If you are travelling through smaller Alpine villages or rural cantons, you are unlikely to find one. Searching supermarket near me in those areas will almost always return a Coop or Migros first.
Lidl arrived in Switzerland in 2009 and now operates around 180 stores, making it the smallest of the four chains in the Swiss market. The format will be familiar to anyone who has shopped at Lidl in Germany, France, or the UK: a slightly wider range than Aldi, a similar weekly non-food aisle, own-label at budget prices, and a growing selection of branded goods to supplement the basics.
Lidl Switzerland has put effort into its fresh bakery section — many stores bake throughout the day — and its fresh produce section is generally larger and better presented than Aldi's. The price difference between Lidl and Aldi is minimal; the practical choice between the two usually comes down to which is closer to where you are. Both undercut Coop and Migros on basics.
The table below uses common grocery items as reference points. Prices are in Swiss Francs (CHF) and reflect approximate averages across Swiss stores in 2026. Note that prices vary by region — Zurich and Geneva tend to be slightly higher than smaller cities.
| Item | Coop | Migros | Aldi Switzerland | Lidl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whole milk, 1L | CHF 1.65 | CHF 1.60 | CHF 1.30 | CHF 1.30 |
| Bread, 400g loaf | CHF 2.20 | CHF 2.10 | CHF 1.60 | CHF 1.65 |
| Free-range eggs, 6-pack | CHF 4.50 | CHF 4.30 | CHF 3.50 | CHF 3.55 |
| Pasta, 500g (own brand) | CHF 1.20 | CHF 0.95 | CHF 0.75 | CHF 0.79 |
| Emmental cheese, 200g | CHF 3.80 | CHF 3.60 | CHF 2.90 | CHF 2.95 |
| Mineral water, 1.5L | CHF 0.95 | CHF 0.90 | CHF 0.60 | CHF 0.59 |
| Lager beer, 6×330ml | CHF 8.50 | — | CHF 5.50 | CHF 5.60 |
| Table wine, 75cl bottle | CHF 7.00+ | — | CHF 4.50+ | CHF 4.60+ |
Prices are indicative only. Alcohol not available at Migros. Differences of 10–20% between chains on identical products are typical.
Each chain has a specific sweet spot for travellers. Here is what is worth seeking out at each:
At Coop Switzerland: Swiss wines (particularly Valais and Ticino), the Coop Fine Food range for Swiss specialities to bring home, prepared food at lunchtime, and the Prix Garantie budget line for basics. Coop is also the best option for picnic supplies — they typically have the best deli counter variety.
At Migros: The M-Budget range for the lowest prices on staples. Fresh bread from the in-store bakery. The Migros Restaurant for a sit-down meal at café prices. Migros also has a strong range of Swiss-produced dairy — yoghurt and quark in particular are notably good and cheap by Swiss standards.
At Aldi Switzerland: Basics — pasta, canned goods, bottled water, beer, coffee — at the lowest prices you will find. The weekly non-food aisle sometimes offers good value on hiking or outdoor equipment at low season prices.
At Lidl: Fresh bakery items and a slightly wider fruit and vegetable selection than Aldi. Lidl's cheese range tends to include a few Swiss PDO varieties at prices below the big Swiss chains.
Swiss supermarket opening hours are more restricted than in most of Western Europe, and significantly more restricted than in the UK or US. Sunday shopping is largely absent — most standalone supermarkets are closed on Sundays by law in many cantons. The exceptions are stores inside railway stations and airports, which operate extended hours including Sundays.
Typical weekday hours for Coop and Migros are 07:00–20:00, sometimes until 21:00 in larger cities. Saturday hours are usually 07:30–18:00. Coop Pronto (the convenience-store format found at petrol stations and train stations) typically opens from 06:00 to 22:00 daily, including Sundays, but at higher prices than the main supermarket format.
Aldi and Lidl generally follow similar patterns to the Swiss chains — closed Sundays in most locations, open until 20:00 or 21:00 on weekdays.
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View All Switzerland Experiences →For most travellers, the practical choice is simple: Coop Switzerland or Migros for variety and Swiss specialities, Aldi Switzerland or Lidl when price is the priority. The two Swiss cooperatives are found everywhere — including small Alpine villages — while the German discounters are concentrated in larger cities and towns.
If you are buying wine or beer, rule out Migros immediately. If you want to try Swiss-origin products — a Gruyère from Coop's cheese counter, a Valais Fendant white wine, a yoghurt from Swiss milk — the cooperatives are the better source. If you are preparing a self-catered dinner in a chalet and just need pasta, olive oil, and tinned tomatoes at a fair price, Aldi or Lidl will serve you well — if there is one within reach.