Coop vs Migros vs Lidl vs Aldi vs Denner: Swiss Supermarket Price Comparison 2026

Which Swiss supermarket is cheapest? In our Q1 2026 comparison of 50 everyday items, Aldi came out cheapest (CHF 142.50), just ahead of Lidl (+2.3%), with Coop the most expensive (+25.3%). K-Tipp's 2024 30-item basket put Lidl first instead — the winner depends on the basket, but the discounters win overall.

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 stopped guessing and 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, and prices matter more here than almost anywhere in Europe: Swiss food prices are about 61% above the EU average (Eurostat, 2024), and the average household spends around CHF 664 per month on food (BFS, 2023). The market share breakdown tells an important story:

• Coop: ~43% market share (2025) — Switzerland's largest food retailer, cooperative-owned
• Migros: ~37.4% market share (2025) — the long-time leader, also cooperative-owned
• Denner: the leading discount chain (owned by Migros Group)
• Lidl: German discounter, entered Switzerland in 2009
• Aldi: German discounter, entered Switzerland in 2005

Together, Coop and Migros control about 80% of Swiss food retail (2025). 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

Pantry Staples

Fresh Produce

The Verdict: Total Basket Comparison

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.

Note that “cheapest” depends on the basket and the methodology: in K-Tipp’s 2024 comparison of 30 everyday items, Lidl (CHF 162.05) edged out Aldi (CHF 166.59), with Coop (CHF 167.82) and Migros (CHF 170.37) close behind. Our Q1 2026 basket covers 50 items priced in the Zürich area, so the totals — and the winner — can differ (K-Tipp 2024).

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:

1. Staples & pantry at Aldi/Lidl — pasta, rice, oil, canned goods, cleaning products
2. Fresh produce at Migros or the local market — better quality, Swiss-origin options
3. Meat at Lidl or Aldi — biggest savings category (often 30–40% cheaper than Coop)
4. Specialty items at Coop/Migros — international foods, organic ranges, dietary needs
5. Bulk purchases at Aligro — for families or batch cooking