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JENS BERGERMANN

The digital transformation has permanently changed shopping behavior. Customers research online, compare prices, and expect products to be readily available—trends that present new challenges for brick-and-mortar retail. But this evolution also holds a significant opportunity. Expanding your business model to include selling on online marketplaces isn't a replacement for your storefront, but a strategic addition that allows you to tap into new customer groups, massively increase your reach, and future-proof your business.

In this post, we'll show you why taking the step into online retail makes sense for you as a brick-and-mortar retailer, how to overcome common hurdles, and how a partnership can decisively simplify entry into the complex Swiss market.

From the Storefront to the World Wide Web: The Advantages of Online Marketplaces

The digitalization of retail is not a passing phase but a fundamental shift in market conditions. Your own online store is one possible path, but selling through established marketplaces offers crucial advantages, especially for getting started. Instead of starting from scratch, you benefit from the enormous visibility and trust that platforms like Galaxus or Zalando already command.

These marketplaces bring with them a huge, ready-to-buy customer base. Millions of potential buyers in Switzerland specifically search for products on these platforms every day. For you, this means you don't have to painstakingly build your target audience from the ground up; you can present your products directly where the demand already exists. This significantly simplifies customer acquisition and allows you to generate initial sales quickly. An overview of the best Swiss marketplaces shows the diversity and potential of these sales channels.

Retailers' Biggest Concerns: How to Overcome the Challenges

The thought of selling online often comes with concerns: How do I handle logistics? Isn't the technology too complicated? Do I even have the time to deal with it alongside my core business? These worries are valid, but solvable.

Especially for the Swiss market, specific hurdles like customs clearance, complex return processes, and the fragmentation of the marketplace landscape add to the challenge. The biggest, often unspoken concern is the fear of price erosion and cannibalization of one's own business.

“The biggest fear that brick-and-mortar retail has is that their own prices will get torn apart on the marketplace, and as a result, no customers will come to the store anymore.” 

– Jens Bergermann (Founder of SURS)

This fear can be dispelled through an intelligent integration of online and offline activities. Instead of acting as competitors, both channels must offer different added value. While the marketplace focuses on reach and availability, the physical store can score with personal sales advice, a special shopping experience, and exclusive service. An experienced distributor like SURS not only helps you overcome the technical and logistical hurdles of cross-border e-commerce but also acts as a strategic partner to align the channels meaningfully.

Creating Synergies: How Online and Offline Business Complement Each Other

A common misconception is that the online channel cannibalizes the brick-and-mortar business. Implemented correctly, both channels strengthen each other. Your presence on high-reach marketplaces significantly increases your brand's visibility. Interestingly, it's often easier to convert a customer from a positive in-store experience to a later online purchase than to lure a purely online shopper into the physical store.

Nevertheless, there are proven tactics to build a bridge between the digital and physical worlds and establish a holistic omnichannel experience:

• Click & Collect: Offer customers the option to pick up online orders directly at your physical store. This drives foot traffic and creates opportunities for additional sales.

• In-Store Returns: Allow returns of online orders at your store. This simplifies the process for the customer and gives you another opportunity for personal interaction.

• Integrated Services: Link both worlds through services like "try on in-store, order online to your home" or vice versa.

These measures strengthen customer loyalty and position your company as a modern retailer that understands its customers' needs.

Conquering Marketplace Giants: How to Sell Successfully in Switzerland

The Swiss e-commerce market is dominated by a few large players. For retailers, platforms like Galaxus, Zalando, and Manor are highly relevant. Each of these platforms has its own target audience and specific requirements but offers enormous revenue potential.

• Galaxus: As Switzerland's largest online retailer, Galaxus covers a wide range of products and is a top-tier choice for almost any product category. Selling on Galaxus gives you access to a huge and loyal customer base.

• Zalando: For retailers in the fashion, footwear, and accessories sector, Zalando is the leading marketplace. By selling on Zalando, you reach a fashion-savvy and affluent target audience.

• Manor: As an established department store with a strong online presence, Manor offers an attractive platform to reach customers who value well-known brands and quality.

According to data from Statista, e-commerce revenue in Switzerland is steadily growing, which further underscores the relevance of these marketplaces.

Your Path to Online Retail: How SURS Supports Your Entry

Getting started with online sales doesn't have to be complicated. As your partner for the Swiss market, we at SURS have established a clear process that paves the way for you and allows you to continue focusing fully on your core business.

1. Market Analysis and Platform Selection: We analyze your product range and market potential and recommend the most suitable marketplaces for your products.

2. Onboarding and Setup: We handle the entire technical integration, create the product listings, and ensure that all platform requirements are met.

3. Logistics and Fulfillment: Your goods are stored in our Swiss warehouse. We take over the entire shipping process to end customers as well as customs clearance.

4. Optimization and Growth: Even after the launch, we continuously manage your listings, optimize performance, and ensure sustainable growth.

With SURS by your side, you don't manage countless individual channels; you have a central point of contact that handles all the complexity for you.

Achieve Online Success with the Right Partner

The step from brick-and-mortar retail to online marketplaces is a strategic decision for growth and future-proofing. The challenges are real, but absolutely manageable with the right partner by your side. SURS acts as your outsourced e-commerce department for Switzerland. We handle the complexity so you can focus on what you do best: running your business and offering excellent products.

Are you ready to conquer the Swiss market and take your business to the next level? Contact us for a no-obligation consultation and find out how we can help your brand succeed.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is selling on marketplaces expensive?

Selling on marketplaces involves costs, which usually consist of a fixed monthly fee and/or a percentage commission on the selling price. However, these costs should be viewed as an investment. Instead of spending large budgets on your own marketing and building reach, you pay for direct access to millions of potential customers. Implemented correctly, the additional revenue far exceeds these costs.

How much effort does selling on an online marketplace involve for me?

Without a partner, the effort can be significant: you have to prepare product data, create images, maintain inventory, process orders, organize shipping, and handle customer service. In collaboration with SURS, this effort is reduced to a minimum for you. Your main task is to provide us with the basic product information and images. We take care of the rest – from listing and storage to shipping and returns management.

How do I handle returns from Switzerland?

Returns management is one of the biggest logistical hurdles in cross-border trade. As your distribution partner in Switzerland, SURS handles the entire process. Returns from end customers are sent to our Swiss warehouse. We inspect the goods, refurbish them, and put them back in stock for the next sale. This eliminates the complex and costly process of returning goods across the border for you.

How long does it take to see the first results?

A major advantage of established marketplaces is speed. Since the customers are already there, initial sales can often be achieved within 4 to 8 weeks after your products go live. Through our experience and existing partnerships with the marketplaces, we can significantly shorten the time-to-market for you. While initial positive signs are quickly visible, building a sustainable and growing revenue stream is a process that typically develops over 3 to 6 months.

Surs AG - Warehouse
Alte Buchserstrasse 10
8108 Dällikon
Switzerland

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Alte Buchserstrasse 8
8108 Dällikon
Switzerland

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