10 Best Stores & Online Shops for Families in Switzerland (2025 Guide)
- Aug 19
- 7 min read
Why Family Shopping in Switzerland Can Feel Like a Full-Time Job
When I first moved to Switzerland, grocery shopping alone felt like an adventure — and not always the relaxing kind. Prices were higher than what I was used to, most shops closed by 6:30 PM (if not earlier), and everything seemed to be in German, French, or Italian depending on where you lived. Add kids, a partner, a job, and multiple dietary needs — and suddenly, shopping smart became a survival skill.
Fast forward to today, and I’ve figured out a rhythm. Switzerland may be expensive, but it’s also incredibly well-organized and full of trustworthy retailers — you just have to know where to shop. Whether you’re looking for affordable baby clothes, back-to-school tech, or groceries that won’t blow the budget, this guide walks you through 10 of the best stores and online shops for families in Switzerland — tried, tested, and mom-approved.
1. Migros – Switzerland’s Most Beloved Supermarket for Families
Let’s start with the classic. Migros is more than a supermarket — it’s a lifestyle brand in Switzerland.From groceries and school supplies to home furniture and budget beauty products, Migros has become our one-stop shop for nearly everything.
We personally rely on the Migros M-Budget line for snacks, household items, and even baby wipes. And when I don’t have time to drag the kids to the store? Migros Online delivers groceries right to our door — and yes, they bring it up even if you live on the 3rd floor with no lift.
You’ll also find clothes (especially seasonal basics for kids), kitchen gear, small furniture, and toys. Oh, and their loyalty programs like Cumulus points can be used for travel, vouchers, or online discounts.
2. Coop – Groceries, Gifts & Sustainable Fashion Under One Roof
Coop is Migros’ main rival, but in many ways, they complement each other. I go to Coop when I want more organic food options or if I’m looking for baby clothes, books, or sustainable toys.
Coop’s in-house brands like Naturaline are organic, ethical, and surprisingly well-priced for Switzerland. We’ve picked up cozy baby pajamas, toddler overalls, and even wooden toys during seasonal sales.
Also, if you have a Coop Supercard, keep it — it racks up points fast and can be redeemed for products, days out, and gift cards. We recently bought train tickets with our Superpoints — a big win for family budgeting.
And don’t miss Coop City — their department store version that stocks clothes, cosmetics, toys, and kitchen gadgets.
3. Galaxus – Switzerland’s Answer to Amazon (But Better)
Galaxus changed the way we shop online. It offers almost everything — electronics, toys, kitchen appliances, beauty, garden tools, and even clothing. But the best part? It actually feels Swiss.
That means:
Fast delivery (next day in many areas)
Reliable customer service
Transparent product comparisons
Genuine user reviews from local shoppers
I’ve ordered everything from air fryers and kids’ scooters to birthday decorations and Swiss plug adapters on Galaxus — and never had to deal with return nightmares like I did with international retailers.
It’s especially useful for back-to-school season and tech upgrades. And their deal sections are worth checking weekly!
4. Manor – Mid-Range Style for Parents & Kids
There’s something comforting about Manor. It reminds me of the department stores I grew up with — but updated with Swiss efficiency.
I love shopping at Manor when we need a mix of fashion, toys, kitchenware, and school supplies, all in one place. It’s my go-to for:
Kids' jackets and seasonal outfits
Stylish lunchboxes and bento containers
Cosmetics and skincare refills for me (guilty pleasure!)
Their Manor Kids line is perfect for parents who want trendy clothes at fair prices, and their online store has regular 20–30% off sales if you subscribe to the newsletter.
Manor stores are usually located in central city areas and have helpful staff — especially when you’re lugging around a stroller and trying to find the right shoe size.
5. Brack – Hidden Gem for Moms Who Love Gadgets & Smart Solutions
Not many people outside Switzerland know about Brack — but once you shop there, you’ll wonder how you lived without it. Think of it as a Swiss mom’s tech and appliance treasure trove.
Here’s what we’ve bought from Brack in the past year:
A smoothie maker that actually crushes frozen fruit
A smartwatch for our pre-teen (with parental controls)
A white noise machine that saved our sleep schedule
Extra chargers and power adapters for school bags
Brack’s product pages are detailed, delivery is lightning-fast, and they frequently run bundle deals and back-to-school tech offers. The site is easy to navigate even if your German isn’t great, and returns are seamless.
I also love that Brack carries eco-friendly and energy-efficient products — helpful for conscious parents.
6. Interdiscount – Electronics & Back-to-School Essentials
Need a new laptop for your teenager? Or a printer that doesn’t jam every second day? Interdiscount is where we shop when it's time to upgrade our tech without blowing our savings.
Interdiscount is one of the most accessible electronics retailers in Switzerland, with both a strong online presence and local stores.
You’ll find:
Kitchen gadgets like rice cookers, air fryers, mixers
Bluetooth speakers, headphones, and smart TVs
Affordable laptops and tablets for school
Swiss plug adapters and power strips
My trick is to compare prices between Galaxus, Brack, and Interdiscount — they often match each other, but sometimes Interdiscount surprises you with a steep markdown on the exact item you want.
I also like their store pickup service where you order online and pick up at their store. Quick and efficient.
7. Ochsner Sport – Shoes & Outdoor Gear That Survive Swiss Kids
If your family lives in Switzerland, chances are you spend half the year in snow boots and the other half scrambling over hiking trails, lakes, and playgrounds. That’s why Ochsner Sport has become one of our most-visited stores — both for practical reasons and because their kids’ shoe section is hard to resist.
We’ve bought every kind of season-specific item here:
Ski jackets, gloves and thermals for winter
Swimsuits and goggles for summer holiday camps
Robust kids’ trainers that actually last more than three months
What I love most is their end-of-season clearance sales where you can grab CHF 100 snow boots for under CHF 40. Plus, their loyalty programme adds up quickly if you shop regularly.
🔗 Visit Ochsner Sport
8. H&M & C&A – Fashion Fixes When Kids Keep Growing Overnight
Children grow super fast — and spill pasta sauce like it’s an Olympic sport. That’s why I keep rotating basics from H&M and C&A, where I can pick up affordable leggings, t-shirts, socks, and holiday outfits without feeling guilty.
Why both are handy in Switzerland:
They fully embrace Swiss seasons — stocking fluffy knits in August and swimsuits in March
Both offer strong online stores with fast shipping + Klarna/credit payments
C&A often stocks slightly more classic clothing; H&M has trend-led options
My strategy? I do one big online haul at the start of every season, stocking up on neutral basics, and replace only stained or outgrown items later. Also — don’t miss C&A’s Clockhouse and Baby Club lines, which are more durable than they look!
9. Mobilezone – Your Go-To for SIMs, Gadgets & Teen Mobile Plans
Whether you just arrived in Switzerland and need a local SIM, or your teen is begging for a phone upgrade — Mobilezone is your best friend. They partner with all the major Swiss networks (Swisscom, Sunrise, Salt), so you can compare offers without going to three different stores.
At one point, we had:
Two prepaid SIM cards for visiting grandparents
One child-friendly bundle plan to monitor phone usage
And a budget tablet deal for school Zoom calls during winter
Mobilezone makes it surprisingly simple, and the staff usually speak English too — huge plus for expats. Their online shop also runs regular bundle offers (phone + SIM + accessories), which are convenient when you just want it all in one go.
🔗 Visit Mobilezone
10. Jelmoli – When You Want a Little Swiss Luxury in Your Life
For the longest time, I thought Jelmoli was “too fancy” for our regular family budget. Then I learned two secrets: (1) their Christmas market for kids is magical and (2) during clearance sales, you can sometimes get premium items for the same price as Manor.
Situated on Zurich’s Bahnhofstrasse, Jelmoli is the place for luxury gifts, fancy party outfits, and special occasions. Think wedding guest clothes, milestone birthday gifts, branded homeware, or gourmet treats to take when visiting Swiss friends.
Even if you just browse once a year, it’s worth stepping inside — the Toy & Kids Section upstairs is absolutely beautiful, and the staff are incredibly friendly to little hands touching everything!
🔗 Visit Jelmoli
Final Thoughts – Smart Shopping Makes Swiss Family Life Work
Swiss life might be expensive — but it doesn’t have to be stressful. Once you know where to shop, what to look for, and when to buy, running a household in Switzerland becomes less about surviving... and more about thriving.
From everyday essentials at Migros and Coop, midnight online hauls at Galaxus and Brack, to seasonal ski outfits at Ochsner Sport and even little luxury moments at Jelmoli — these 10 stores represent my personal survival kit for parenting, budgeting, and still enjoying life in Switzerland.
Pro tip: Keep a “shopping calendar” at the start of every year with expected sales periods (e.g., January, June, Black Friday) — and use loyalty points for summer activities and days out. It’s the little Swiss tricks that make the biggest difference.