If you live in Switzerland, you've probably had this debate: is Coop really more expensive than Migros? Is Lidl actually cheaper, or just smaller? We decided to stop guessing and start measuring.
We compared 50 everyday grocery items across Switzerland's five major supermarket chains — Coop, Migros, Lidl, Aldi, and Denner — to find out who offers the best value for your CHF.
The Swiss Grocery Market at a Glance
Switzerland's grocery market is worth approximately CHF 30 billion per year. The market share breakdown tells an important story:
- Migros: ~36% market share — the largest retailer, cooperative-owned
- Coop: ~30% — second largest, also cooperative-owned
- Denner: ~10% — discount chain (owned by Migros Group)
- Lidl: ~8% — German discounter, entered Switzerland in 2009
- Aldi: ~7% — German discounter, entered Switzerland in 2005
Together, Coop and Migros control about two-thirds of the market. But the discounters have been gaining ground steadily, forcing the big two to introduce their own budget lines: M-Budget (Migros) and Prix Garantie (Coop).
Price Comparison: 50 Everyday Items
We tracked prices for common items across all five chains in the Zürich area during Q1 2026. Here are the highlights:
Dairy & Eggs
| Item | Coop | Migros | Lidl | Aldi | Denner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milk 1L (whole) | CHF 1.60 | CHF 1.55 | CHF 1.39 | CHF 1.35 | CHF 1.45 |
| Butter 250g | CHF 3.20 | CHF 3.10 | CHF 2.69 | CHF 2.79 | CHF 2.95 |
| Eggs 6-pack (free-range) | CHF 4.30 | CHF 3.95 | CHF 3.49 | CHF 3.29 | CHF 3.60 |
| Emmentaler 200g | CHF 4.50 | CHF 4.40 | CHF 3.99 | CHF 3.89 | CHF 4.10 |
| Yogurt Nature 500g | CHF 1.80 | CHF 1.50 | CHF 1.59 | CHF 1.55 | CHF 1.65 |
Pantry Staples
| Item | Coop | Migros | Lidl | Aldi | Denner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spaghetti 500g | CHF 1.85 | CHF 1.70 | CHF 1.19 | CHF 1.25 | CHF 1.35 |
| Basmati Rice 1kg | CHF 3.50 | CHF 3.40 | CHF 2.79 | CHF 2.89 | CHF 3.10 |
| Olive Oil 500ml | CHF 7.90 | CHF 7.50 | CHF 5.99 | CHF 5.79 | CHF 6.50 |
| Flour 1kg | CHF 1.70 | CHF 1.40 | CHF 1.49 | CHF 1.45 | CHF 1.55 |
| Canned Tomatoes 400g | CHF 1.50 | CHF 1.40 | CHF 0.89 | CHF 0.95 | CHF 1.10 |
Fresh Produce
| Item | Coop | Migros | Lidl | Aldi | Denner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bananas 1kg | CHF 2.60 | CHF 2.40 | CHF 1.79 | CHF 1.89 | CHF 2.10 |
| Tomatoes 1kg | CHF 4.90 | CHF 4.50 | CHF 3.49 | CHF 3.29 | CHF 3.80 |
| Potatoes 2.5kg | CHF 4.50 | CHF 3.90 | CHF 3.99 | CHF 3.95 | CHF 4.20 |
| Chicken Breast 500g | CHF 12.90 | CHF 11.50 | CHF 8.99 | CHF 9.49 | CHF 10.50 |
| Apples 1kg (CH) | CHF 3.90 | CHF 3.50 | CHF 3.69 | CHF 3.59 | CHF 3.80 |
The Verdict: Total Basket Comparison
For a standardized basket of 50 everyday items:
1. Aldi — CHF 142.50 (cheapest overall)
2. Lidl — CHF 145.80 (+2.3%)
3. Denner — CHF 159.40 (+11.9%)
4. Migros — CHF 168.20 (+18.0%)
5. Coop — CHF 178.60 (+25.3%)
The gap between the cheapest (Aldi) and the most expensive (Coop) is CHF 36.10 per basket — or roughly CHF 150/month for weekly shopping. Over a year, that's CHF 1,800.
But It's Not That Simple
Raw price isn't everything. Here's what the numbers don't capture:
- Product range: Coop and Migros carry 10,000–15,000 products. Aldi and Lidl carry 1,500–2,000. If you need a specific ingredient, the big two usually have it.
- Quality differences: Migros and Coop own-brand quality (especially in dairy and bakery) is often noticeably superior.
- Convenience: Coop and Migros have far more locations, longer hours, and home delivery options.
- Loyalty programs: Cumulus (Migros) and Supercard (Coop) offer real value — 1–3% back in points over a year.
- Weekly promotions: All chains run aggressive Aktionen. A savvy shopper who follows promotions can often get Coop/Migros prices close to Aldi levels on specific items.
The Smart Strategy: Mix and Match
The best Swiss shoppers don't pick one store — they use the right store for the right items:
- Staples & pantry at Aldi/Lidl — pasta, rice, oil, canned goods, cleaning products
- Fresh produce at Migros or the local market — better quality, Swiss-origin options
- Meat at Lidl or Aldi — biggest savings category (often 30–40% cheaper than Coop)
- Specialty items at Coop/Migros — international foods, organic ranges, dietary needs
- Bulk purchases at Aligro — for families or batch cooking
Let Eini. find the best price automatically
Compare real-time prices across Coop, Migros, Lidl, Aldi, Denner & Aligro — all in one app.
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