Grocery Shopping in St. Gallen: The Practical Guide
St. Gallen is the only major Swiss city close to both Austria (Bregenz, 30 min) and Germany (Lindau, 40 min). It has the Shopping Arena, the largest shopping centre in Eastern Switzerland, a daily market on Marktplatz, and Lidl is expanding into the city centre.
St. Gallen is the capital of Eastern Switzerland. With 80,000 inhabitants, it is the largest city between Zurich and Lake Constance. It combines a UNESCO-listed historic centre built around the Abbey and the Abbey Library with a centuries-old textile tradition.
For grocery shopping, St. Gallen has a unique position: it is close both to Austria (Bregenz/Lustenau in Vorarlberg, 20–30 min) and to Germany (Lindau, 40 min; Konstanz, 1 hour). Cross-border shopping options in TWO different countries – unique in Switzerland. And: in 2025/2026, Lidl is expanding directly into central St. Gallen (Parkhaus Central, EKZ Grossacker). Aldi is already present in the city.
The St. Gallen Market
Marktplatz is the centre of market life in St. Gallen. Unique in Switzerland: a daily market with permanent stalls, which expands on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
| Type | Days | Time | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily market | Mon–Fri | 08:00–18:00 | Permanent stalls: Asian sushi, Italian specialties (Angeli-olio: olive oil, balsamic vinegar, pesto, pasta), local cheeses. |
| Daily market | Sat | 08:00–17:00 | Same as Mon–Fri, but shorter hours. |
| Weekly market (expanded) | Wed, Sat | until 13:00 (Wed) / 15:00 (Sat) | Extra stalls: fruit, Demeter/organic vegetables (Feldhof Gemüsebau), fresh fish (Marchioro, Fri/Sat). |
| Farmers' market | Apr–Nov, Fri | morning | "Direkt vom Puur": regional products from St. Gallen & Appenzell farms. Appenzell cheeses, honey, bread, jams. |
| Flea market | 1st Sat/month (Apr–Nov) | morning | Gallusstrasse 32. Monthly flea market. |
Tip: Friday is the best day – the farmers' market with regional producers plus Marchioro's fish stall. Appenzell cheeses from the Knechtle dairy are a specialty you are unlikely to find elsewhere.
The 4 Shopping Hubs of St. Gallen
1. Shopping Arena (the largest in Eastern Switzerland)
60 shops. The largest shopping centre in Eastern Switzerland and in the entire Lake Constance region. Coop (large), Aldi, IKEA, Zara and many international brands. Kids Arena for children aged 3–9 with professional supervision. Right off the A1 motorway at St.Gallen-Winkeln. Downside: Far from the city centre; only Coop + Aldi for groceries, no Migros.
2. Gallusmarkt (city centre)
Coop Gallusmarkt in central St. Gallen. Walkable from the centre and the main station.
3. Grossacker (Lidl is coming!)
Lidl is opening a branch in the Grossacker shopping centre in 2025/2026. Discount grocery shopping comes directly into the city – reducing the need to cross the border.
4. St. Gallen station
Migros and Coop Pronto at the main station. Open on Sundays under railway retail rules. Good for emergencies and commuters. Downside: Small; Coop Pronto is 10–20% more expensive.
Area by Area
- Altstadt (Old Town / UNESCO) – Marktplatz at the centre. Migros, Coop Gallusmarkt, Denner, Aldi. Lidl coming (Parkhaus Central, Grossacker).
- Winkeln (south-west, A1) – Shopping Arena: Coop, Aldi, IKEA. The main destination for drivers.
- Bruggen / St.Fiden / Rotmonten – Residential neighbourhoods with local Migros and Coop. Denner. No major hub.
- Wittenbach / Gossau (nearby municipalities) – Migros and Coop in retail areas. Aldi and Lidl present. Often more practical than the Shopping Arena for people outside the city.
Cross-Border Shopping: Austria AND Germany
St. Gallen is the only major Swiss city where you can choose between TWO countries for cross-border shopping.
Option 1: Austria / Vorarlberg (20–30 min)
| Destination | Time | Supermarkets | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lustenau | 20 min | Spar, M-Preis, DM | The closest option. Luschnouar Markt (Thu/Sat 8–12) with regional Vorarlberg products. DM just like in Germany. |
| Dornbirn | 25 min | Spar, Billa, DM, Müller, Aldi AT, Lidl AT | Weekly market (Wed/Sat 8–12). Müller Drogerie: alternative to DM with toys, stationery and multimedia – does NOT exist in Switzerland. |
| Bregenz | 30 min | Spar, Billa, DM, Interspar | Capital of Vorarlberg. Farmers' market (Tue/Fri 7:30–12, Kaiserstrasse). Interspar: large hypermarket. Lake Constance views. |
Why Austria? Prices similar to Germany, but different chains: Spar, Billa, Hofer (= Aldi in Austria). Müller Drogerie (toys, books, multimedia) does not exist in Switzerland. Vorarlberg Bergkäse and Tyrolean Speck are high-quality regional specialties.
Option 2: Germany / Lake Constance (30–60 min)
| Destination | Time | Supermarkets | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lindau | 40 min | Edeka, Aldi, Lidl, DM, Rossmann | Picturesque town on Lake Constance. Good selection of German supermarkets. |
| Konstanz | 1 hour | Lago Shopping Center, Edeka, DM, Aldi, Lidl | The largest German shopping destination in the region. Lago is very popular with Swiss shoppers. |
2026 Rules & What to Buy Where
Allowance: CHF 150/person/day. VAT refund: Germany yes (>EUR 50/receipt, 19%). Austria: yes, but less practical (forms, >EUR 75). Limits: butter 1 kg, meat 1 kg, oil 5 L.
| Austria (Vorarlberg) | Germany (Lindau/Konstanz) | Switzerland (St. Gallen) |
|---|---|---|
| Vorarlberg cheese (Bergkäse): −30–40% | Meat: −50–70% | Milk/dairy (M-Budget is fine) |
| Müller Drogerie (toys, multimedia): unique | DM/Rossmann: −40–60% | Swiss bread |
| Fresh products at Spar/Billa: −20–30% | Laundry detergents: −40–50% | Swiss chocolate |
| DM (same products as Germany): −40–60% | Beer/drinks: −50–70% | Appenzell cheeses |
| Tyrolean Speck: −30–40% | Nappies/baby products: −40–50% | Migros/Coop own brands |
Specific Tips for St. Gallen
1. Shopping Arena is the largest in Eastern Switzerland. Coop + Aldi + IKEA. 60 shops. Right off the A1 at Winkeln. The main reference point for drivers.
2. Lidl is moving into the city centre. Parkhaus Central and Grossacker (2025/2026). Soon you will not need to go to the border for discount shopping.
3. The Friday farmers' market is special. "Direkt vom Puur" with producers from St. Gallen and Appenzell. Unique Appenzell cheeses.
4. Austria is 20 minutes away (Lustenau). Spar, DM, Müller – which does not exist in Switzerland. Luschnouar Markt (Thu/Sat 8–12): authentic and regional.
5. Müller Drogerie only exists in Austria/Germany. Like DM, but with toys, stationery and multimedia. In Dornbirn (25 min).
6. The daily market is unique. Mon–Sat on Marktplatz. Permanent stalls plus an expanded market on Wed/Sat. No need to wait for Saturday.
7. On Sundays: Migros and Coop Pronto at the station. Nothing else significant in the centre.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I shop on Sundays in St. Gallen?
Migros and Coop Pronto at St. Gallen station. Open on Sundays under railway retail rules. Otherwise there is very little open in the city centre.
What is the best market in St. Gallen?
Marktplatz (daily Mon–Sat, expanded Wed/Sat) is unique in Switzerland. For regional products: the farmers' market "Direkt vom Puur" on Fridays (Apr–Nov) with Appenzell cheeses from the Knechtle dairy.
What is the largest shopping centre in St. Gallen?
Shopping Arena in Winkeln: 60 shops, Coop, Aldi, IKEA. Right off the A1 at Winkeln. The largest in Eastern Switzerland and the Lake Constance region.
Austria or Germany for cross-border shopping?
Austria (Lustenau/Bregenz/Dornbirn, 20–30 min): Spar, Billa, DM, Müller. Germany (Lindau/Konstanz, 40–60 min): Edeka, DM, Aldi. For DM+Müller → Austria. For meat and large shopping trips → Germany.
Is Lidl opening in the centre of St. Gallen?
Yes. Lidl is expanding into Parkhaus Central and EKZ Grossacker in 2025/2026. Discount grocery shopping will soon be available directly in the city centre.