Lidl likely to open in Switzerland

The retailer's current plans were to launch in the Swiss market in summer next year, opening a “manageable” number of stores simultaneously.

Retail sales in Switzerland rose by a
stronger-than-expected 4.7% year-on-year in June, adjusted for
shopping days and excluding fuel and car sales, according to data
from the Swiss Federal Statistical Office. The growth followed a rise
of 7.4% in May, and raised sales growth in the first six months of
the year to 2.7%.
During the month, adjusted sales of food,
beverages, and tobacco rose a strong 6.6% in real terms. Sales of
apparel and footwear rose 3.4%, while sales of consumer electronics
jumped up 15.8%. Sales of health products were up strongly, sales of
furniture and kitchen/household goods were satisfactory, but DIY
sales were down, as was demand for leisure goods and cultural goods.