E-commerce in Switzerland 2025: trends, payments and buying behaviors

Imagine a market where precision and trust are king, and where digital is second nature. Welcome in switzerland, an e-commerce playground that is truly unique in Europe! In 2025, for businesses that want to thrive there, the key is simple: understand local expectations to provide an online shopping experience as smooth as possible. Ready to decipher the secrets of this demanding market?

E-commerce trends in Switzerland

1. Continued growth in e-commerce

The Swiss e-commerce market is on the rise at full speed, with more and more consumers adopting online shopping. While giants like Digitec Galaxus or Zalando reign supreme, we are also seeing a significant rise in the power of local online shops, proof that authenticity and proximity appeal.

2. Personalization, a strong expectation

Swiss people like to feel understood. Whether it's for national, popular and regional holidays or winter sales, they appreciate tailor-made offers. For e-retailers, this means one thing: make use of your customer data! Offer truly relevant promotions, and you'll see customer engagement soar. It's a challenge that solutions like Purse's help you meet.

Online shopping habits

1. High use of social networks

In 2025, this is no longer a surprise: approximately 75% of Swiss people are ultra-active on social networks, spending nearly 1 hour 46 minutes per day! WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook are the stars. For you, it's a golden opportunity to reach them where they are, whether for marketing or direct sales.

2. Zero surprises on costs and delivery

The Swiss consumer is particularly vigilant when it comes to hidden costs or delivery times. An unexpected cost or a long wait? And presto, the basket is abandoned! Your mission: be transparent and reliable. Clear information and good delivery options are non-negotiable.

3. Preference for local payments

Local payment methods, such as TWINT, are widely used, especially by young consumers. Credit cards and bill payments also remain popular, underlining the importance of offering a variety of payment options. For your business, that means a flexible, multi-channel payment gateway, a Purse specialty.

The essential payment methods in Switzerland

1. TWINT: the undisputed champion of mobile payments

If you only had to choose one payment method, it would be TWINT!

98% of the Swiss population is familiar with TWINT. With more than 5 million active users and an impressive volume of 773 million transactions in 2024, this application has become a reflex for millions of Swiss people. Fast and secure payments by smartphone, online or in store via a simple QR code scan... It is the epitome of ease, especially since more than 40 Swiss banks have already adopted it! With Purse, integration is easy and fast.

2. Credit and debit cards

Credit cards remain a preferred method of payment for online purchases in Switzerland. Debit cards, especially the latest generations of Visa and Mastercard cards with online payment function, are also gaining popularity, especially among younger consumers.

3. Payment on account

Although digital technology dominates, a tradition persists and is still attractive: payment by invoice. Over 70% of Swiss e-retailers offer it, and for good reason! This method allows customers to pay for their purchases after receipt, offering a flexibility and simplicity highly appreciated, especially for those who prefer to check before paying.

4. QR-bill

Introduced in 2020, the QR-bill has become mandatory for all payments in Switzerland since 1 October 2022. It replaces old payment slips and aims to simplify, digitize and automate payments, in particular via e-banking and mobile applications.

5. Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL)

The BNPL market in Switzerland is growing rapidly, with an expected annual increase of 12% to reach 2.12 billion US dollars in 2025. Local players like TWINT, in partnership with Swissbilling, offer deferred payment options, while international companies such as Klarna and AfterPay are also entering the Swiss market. Purse helps you integrate these deferred payment options without complexity.

In short: seize the Swiss opportunity!

The Swiss e-commerce market in 2025 is a great playground for those who know how to decode its subtleties. It is by adopting a local approach, by integrating the payment solutions that the Swiss love (such as TWINT or the QR-bill) and by refining your internal processes that you will transform these specificities into real assets. Success awaits only those who can meet the demanding expectations of this connected audience.

Sources:

• E-Commerce Barometer 2024 — Handelsverband.swiss
• Online payment methods in Switzerland — Impactmedias
• Social networks in Switzerland 2025 — Eminence
• BNPL adoption in Switzerland — BusinessWire
• Behaviors of Swiss online shoppers — Swiss Post
• Essentials of e-Commerce — EWM Swiss
• Preferred payment methods in Switzerland — PostFinance
• TWINT passes the 5 million user mark and 386 million annual transactions
• Switzerland Buy Now Pay Later Market Report 2025

Selling in Switzerland or expanding your business there is a strategic bet! You have the keys in hand, but if the orchestration of your payments or the integration of local methods seem complex to you, our experts are there to guide you.

Contact us today to discuss your challenges and boost your financial performance!