High prices could cause problems

A survey by the "Moneyland.ch" comparison service shows that restaurants are too expensive for the Swiss. This could slow down the restart of the gastro industry.

"The Corona crisis could lead to greater consolidation of bars, clubs and restaurants," says Daniel Dreier of Moneyland.ch, according to a statement. The reason for this is the prices, which were perceived by the population as being excessive, even before the crisis. This is shown by a survey by the comparison service published on Wednesday: 43% of respondents said that restaurants are too expensive, and 56% of bar and club visitors were dissatisfied with prices.

Restaurants are still closed and the Swiss are eating at home - and are saving a lot of money.

"The gastronomy sector, which has been heavily affected by the Corona crisis, could have a particularly difficult time regaining its footing after the reopening," says Dreier. When asked about the prices of food and alcoholic beverages in shops, only 30% of respondents thought that the prices were too high. Many Swiss people have now been cooking more at home, and have saved a lot of money in the process. The hotel industry also does not fare well in the survey: 61% of respondents find Swiss hotels too expensive.

A total of 1,500 people between the ages of 18 and 74 were interviewed at the beginning of the year, i.e. before the Corona crisis. Regional differences were also apparent: the French-speaking areas were more likely to regard the prices as expensive, according to the study. Older generations are also more bothered by price levels than the young. Air travel and mortgages were considered to be particularly advantageous.