L’exclusivité des centres commerciaux haut de gamme dans les gares suisses: les CFF refusent les discounters

In recent years, the CFF has invested hundreds of millions of francs in modernizing its train stations. With each renovation, sales and dining spaces are constantly being optimized, notes the “NZZ am Sonntag.” Kiosks are gradually disappearing, but there are more and more so-called convenience stores.

It must be said that spaces in train stations are highly contested, with businesses benefiting from special regulations that allow them to open on Sundays. Over time, medium and large train stations have become high-end shopping centers, some of which generate hundreds of millions in turnover. The unique situation of train stations makes the CFF a powerful player in the Swiss retail sector: the federal railways determine who is allowed to sell on Sundays and who is not. Much to the dismay of companies that desperately want to open stores in train stations but simply cannot, as is the case with discounters. “We regularly apply for such locations and submit interesting and market-appropriate offers,” writes Aldi Switzerland. However, Aldi has never received a contract from the CFF for a permanent store. The situation is no more enviable for Lidl.

Do budget stores simply not belong in luxury train stations? “As a general rule, the CFF issues tenders in train stations for smaller supermarket spaces than elsewhere and located in high-traffic areas. In order to use them successfully, experience and an adapted concept are required,” justify the CFF.

Thanks to its near-monopoly position on stores allowed to open on Sundays in city centers, the former federal agency earns enormous amounts of money. In 2022, the public transport company generated rental income of 657 million francs. The CFF’s position of strength is a consequence of Swiss labor law, which the discounters criticize. Lidl writes that this situation leads to market distortions. According to Aldi, “one of the consequences is that an increasing part of society does its shopping on Sundays, and no longer during the week.”