Caritas Market Records Sad Sales Record / Demand for Discounted Groceries Continues to Rise

Those with insufficient money to live on can purchase food and daily necessities at significantly reduced prices at the Caritas Market. In 2025, the 22 locations recorded over 1.1 million sales, an increase of more than 10,000 sales compared to the previous year.

This marks the fourth consecutive sales record for the Caritas Market — a sad record, as Managing Director Thomas Künzler says: 'In many markets, we are seeing an increase in new customers in addition to our regular clientele. This shows just how significant the financial burden on many households currently is.'

Particularly Popular: Fruits and Vegetables

Among the best-selling products last year were staple foods such as pasta, milk, and oil. The demand for seasonal fruits and vegetables was particularly high, rising by four percent compared to the previous year.

To ease the budgetary strain on people affected by poverty, the Caritas Market is implementing targeted price reductions, particularly for staple foods. 'Our customers are very price-sensitive,' says Thomas Künzler. 'Those with limited financial means need every saving, especially on essential groceries. It must be possible for people living in poverty to have a balanced diet.'

Due to these price reductions, the Caritas Market achieved a slightly lower turnover of approximately 17.6 million Swiss francs in 2025 than in the previous year.

New App Makes Shopping Easier

A significant achievement in 2025 was the introduction of the new app 'Bonus+'. This offers customers weekly special discounts, as well as recipes and information on further support services from Caritas. Additionally, the KulturLegi, which grants access to shop at the Caritas Market, can be stored digitally. The app was recently awarded 1st prize in the Accessibility category at 'Best of Swiss Apps'.

Tim Murer Succeeds Thomas Künzler

On February 1st, a change in the management of the Caritas Market cooperative will take place. Thomas Künzler will retire and hand over the management to his previous deputy, Tim Murer.

Thomas Künzler has headed the Caritas Market cooperative for more than eight years. 'Together with committed employees and reliable partners — producers, suppliers, retailers, and foundations — we have been able to ease the daily challenges for many people in poverty. I am very grateful for this,' he says.

Tim Murer states, 'I am very much looking forward to the challenge. My goal is to continue developing the Caritas Market together with the team and to effectively relieve people living in poverty in the future.'

About the Caritas Market

According to the Swiss Federal Statistical Office, more than one in six people in Switzerland do not have enough money to live on. At the Caritas Market, they can purchase food and daily necessities up to 70 percent cheaper. This is made possible by the support of over 400 partners, including producers, suppliers, and foundations such as Denner, Migros, Schwarzkopf, Nestlé, Emmi, Dr. Oetker, and Webstar.

A shopping card is required to purchase at the Caritas Market. This is issued by social services, church and private social institutions, as well as regional Caritas organisations. Those eligible to shop include individuals receiving social assistance, supplementary benefits, or who possess a KulturLegi.

Caritas Markets are located in Baar, Basel, Bern, Biel, Bulle, Chur, Fribourg, Geneva (2), La Chaux-de-Fonds, Lausanne, Emmenbrücke, Neuchâtel, Renens, St. Gallen, Thun, Wil, Vevey, Winterthur, Yverdon, and Zurich (2).

More information at www.caritas-markt.ch

Press Contact:
Thomas Künzler
Managing Director, Caritas Market Cooperative
t.kuenzler@caritasmarkt.ch
041 289 13 20

Editor's note: Image rights belong to the respective publisher. Image rights: Caritas Schweiz / Photographer: Alexandra Wey