Switzerland debates banning sweets at supermarket checkouts

11 March 2026

Switzerland may consider banning sweets at supermarket checkouts after a study by the French-speaking Swiss consumer federation (Fédération Romande des Consommateurs – FRC), covering the Western part of the country, found that 99% of supermarkets have sweets on display next to checkouts, predominantly targeting children. After publicly presenting these results, FRC has called for measures to address overweight and obesity in children, including a federal-level ban on sweets next to checkouts, like the one already in force locally in Geneva.

331 different locations were examined across 30 supermarkets. According to their observations, four in five checkouts were filled with food products directed at children. One fifth of all products analysed were openly addressed to children, while all products showed features designed to entice shoppers into impulsive purchases: small portions, ready-to-eat packaging, and cheap prices.  

Still, the product versions displayed next to the checkouts were more expensive than the same product available on the shelves of the same supermarket, sometimes twice as expensive. According to FRC, checkout areas are the most profitable in supermarkets by far, generating almost 5% of the total turnover in about 1% of the total shop area.  

The consumer organisation calls for these products to be replaced by healthier alternatives such as nuts, dried fruits, or non-sugary drinks, to soften the economic impact for retailers.