These are the best months to shop in Switzerland

Timing your purchases is basically a financial life hack. Wait for the right moment and, boom, those headphones are half price! If you wait too long, you’ll be stuck paying full price. Luckily, most stores aren’t subtle about their discount cycles. Once you know the rules (shop seasonally and counter-cyclically), you can save a ridiculous amount of money.

Welcome to the month of leftover inventory. Retailers need space for fresh stock, which means sweet, sweet clearance deals:

• Fitness gear – capitalising on New Year’s resolutions. Brands are offering huge discounts to cash in on your newfound ambition.
• Winter clothing – retailers panic when they see racks full of unsold coats. That’s your cue.
• Holiday leftovers – wrapping paper, decorations, and gift sets are practically free after Christmas.
• Ski and snowboard gear – with the Alps so close by, Swiss and European retailers start slashing prices on winter sports gear before the end of the peak season.
• Furniture and bedding – new models arrive in February, so January is clearance season.

➡️ Pro tip: If you need a new TV, wait for the post-Christmas sales or clearance offers before the new models arrive in March.

Smart shoppers use March as their secret weapon to get deals on:

• Winter sports gear – prices drop even further as the ski season winds down in Switzerland, Austria, and France.
• Tax software and office supplies – many European countries have tax deadlines in spring, prompting discounts on accounting and office-related products.

➡️ Pro tip: Browse Swiss second-hand marketplaces such as Ricardo, Tutti and Facebook Marketplace for unused items bought in a state of panic in January.

May is the month of spring cleaning – in homes and stores. If you’re looking for deals, you’ll probably find them on:

• Appliances – brands launch new models in summer, so stores clear out the old ones.
• Mattresses – the biggest European mattress sales happen in May.
• Spring clothing – fast fashion moves fast, and stores need space for summer collections.

Amazon Prime Day takes place in July, and when Amazon slashes its prices, other European retailers panic and follow suit. Expect big discounts on:

• Tech gadgets – headphones, laptops, and smartwatches will be heavily discounted.
• Home essentials – things like vacuum cleaners and kitchen appliances tend to be marked down.
• Travel gear – luggage and summer accessories are reduced, perfect for your next trip to Europe.

➡️ Pro tip: Les Soldes d’Été (Summer Sales) happen in France in July, bringing discounts across various fashion and electronics stores. Germany and Switzerland often follow suit with competitive discounts.

In Switzerland, back-to-school preparation starts in August, not September. That’s when most cantons reopen their classrooms, and retailers know it. Whether you’re heading back to school or university, or just upgrading your home office setup, now’s the time to take advantage of:

• Laptops and tablets – tech deals surge as students gear up.
• Office furniture – desks, chairs, and accessories get markdowns too.
• School supplies – stationery, backpacks, and organisers are on sale.
• Clothing – back-to-school fashion discounts cover all age ranges.
• E-bikes and scooters – summer demand fades and prices start to drop.

This is the month when all the major sales collide: Singles’ Day, Black Friday and Cyber Monday. In Switzerland, many deals start early and span the entire month. If you’re planning a big purchase, now is the time to strike.

• Black Friday (Europe version) – while not as intense as in the US, many Swiss and European stores offer great deals, especially on electronics.
• Cyber Monday – best for tech accessories, clothing, and beauty products.
• Singles’ Day (11.11) – a major shopping holiday in China that is spreading to European markets, particularly among online retailers such as AliExpress and Zalando.
• Pre-Black Friday sales – some of the best deals happen before the madness even begins, especially in Switzerland where Black Friday can last the whole week.

➡️ Pro tip: December retail prices increase. Plan ahead, or pay the premium.

In Switzerland, retailers can decide for themselves when to reduce prices, and many now start doing so before Santa has even loaded his sleigh. Unlike countries with fixed sales periods, the Swiss market is liberal, so you may see discounts on different product categories well before Christmas Eve.Expect discounts to vary by shop, brand and timing — the closer you get to the big day, the better your odds.
 
➡️ Pro tip: If you can, wait until after Christmas. Post-Christmas clearance sales are still a great option, especially for fashion and electronics, as well as anything that screams ‘holiday edition’.