Retail sales in Switzerland increased by 0.5% year-on-year in March 2026, missing market expectations of a 1% gain, following a downwardly revised 0.4% rise in the previous month. Sales at service stations jumped by 5.3%, accelerating from a 1.4% increase in February. However, sales of food, beverages, and tobacco (-1.6% vs -1.3%) dropped further, and non-food sales excluding service stations slowed down (0.9% vs 2.1%). Within the non-food sector, a sharp increase in sales of cultural and recreational goods (7% vs 0.1%) and a rebound in sales via stalls and markets; mail order and internet (0.2% vs -1.7%) were partly offset by declines in sales of household equipment, textiles, DIY, and furniture (-5.2% vs -1%) and information and communication equipment (-1% vs -3.2%). Without service stations, total retail sales were unchanged, following a downwardly revised 0.6% gain in February. On a seasonally adjusted monthly basis, sales edged up by 0.1%, after a revised 0.1% fall in February.