Switzerland imports goods from Italy for a total value of 1.9 billion Swiss francs (1.75 billion euros). It is the second destination country, after Germany, with the substantial difference that the surplus for Italy (equal to 1.4 billion Swiss francs or 1.29 billion euros) is almost double compared to Germany’s.
As far as Italian food exports are concerned, Switzerland comes in eighth place in the destination countries ranking, with a share that is substantially very close to the three top importing countries: Spain, the Netherlands, and Austria.
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THE IMPACT OF COVID
According to a survey published by Crédit Suisse on the outlook for Swiss retail, during a difficult 2020, the measures taken to contain the Covid-19 pandemic have had a different impact on different market segments. The change in mobility has particularly affected brick-and-mortar stores, with a drop of up to 80% during the shutdown.
The retail trade will also have to contend with a drop in admissions in the future, due to the high number of people in home office mode. It is expected that the food trade, in particular, will suffer a -6% decline in 2021.
ITALIAN TRADE AGENCY: A “PREMIUM” AGREEMENT WITH GLOBUS
In this context, Italian food & beverage products have good growth prospects, especially in gourmet stores. For the second year in a row, the ITA (Italian Trade Agency) office in Bern has signed an agreement in support of Made in Italy with Globus, the most renowned luxury department store chain in Switzerland. Compared to other large-scale retail players, its offer is certainly the one with the highest positioning, with prestigious locations in the centers of the major Swiss cities.
The partnership is part of the promotion of authentic Italian products aimed at fighting the Italian-sounding phenomenon and provides for the presence of 50 brands of excellence in the 12 Globus stores throughout the country. In-store activities and ITA and Globus are also committed to funding tasting activities. They will hold a closing event during the “Week of Italian cuisine in the World”, with the participation of Chef Carlo Cracco.
The role of Italian products at the luxury chain will continue to be central according to Romina Roy, Globus Buyer Delicatessen (food). She told us that “Italy and its wonderful products have been an integral part of the chain’s food offerings since 1954. The main goal of the partnership with ITA is to promote small Italian producers and to guarantee our customers authentic products. Due to the pandemic, the attention to the origin of products has strongly increased. In this moment wine, pasta, sauces, cured meats, and cheeses are the best performing categories of Made in Italy.”