Manor Food vs Globus: Are Switzerland's Premium Grocers Worth the Price? (2026)
Globus is 100% Central Group (Thai) since 30 Sep 2024, when Central bought Signa's remaining 50% out of insolvency. Manor has been continuously owned by the Geneva-based Maus Frères family since 1902 (124 years, 4 generations). And no, Manor was never owned by Migros — that's Globus. Honest 10-item price table, when the premium is justified, when it isn't.
Globus was a Swiss icon for 113 years. In 2020, Migros sold it to a joint venture between Austria's Signa Holding and Thailand's Central Group. Signa collapsed in November 2023. On September 30, 2024, Central Group bought out Signa's remaining 50% of the operating business. Globus is now wholly Thai-owned at the corporate level, marketed by André Maeder (the Swiss CEO of Central Group Europe) as the country's leading luxury retailer. Manor, the other premium grocer most expats and visitors encounter, has been continuously owned by the Geneva-based Maus Frères family group since 1902. Same country, same shelves, very different corporate stories. Here is the honest 2026 guide to where the premium is justified, where it isn't, and which basics you should never buy at either place.
Sources checked: May 2026. Maus Frères SA corporate (maus.ch); Globus / Central Group communications (globus.ch, Bloomberg, NZZ, swissinfo.ch, SRF News, September 30, 2024 acquisition reporting); Manor "Guaranteed Low Prices" programme page (manor.ch/u/price-guarantee); CremeGuides on Globus Delicatessa Zurich; Wikipedia cross-checks on Maus Frères, Globus department store, Manor. Prices verified in Zurich, May 2026.
Rappn is the only neutral grocery price comparison app in Switzerland, with no commercial agreements with any retailer.
Who actually owns what
Manor: 100% owned by Maus Frères SA, a private family holding founded in 1892 by Ernest and Henri Maus and now in its fourth generation. Geneva-based, Swiss-controlled, Swiss-managed. The name "Manor" comes from the surnames Maus and Nordmann (Léon Nordmann partnered in 1902 in Lucerne). Through the sister entity MF Brands Group, the family also owns Lacoste (majority since 2012), Gant (since 2008), Aigle, The Kooples and Tecnifibre. Combined brands revenue: roughly CHF 2.8 billion. Manor itself operates 59 department stores (down from 70 in 2010) with estimated revenue CHF 2.2 to 2.3 billion. Current Maus Frères CEO: Thierry Guibert, since January 2021, the first non-family chief executive.
Globus: 100% owned by Central Group, the privately held Thai retail conglomerate of the Chirathivat family (also owners of KaDeWe, Alsterhaus and Oberpollinger in Germany, La Rinascente in Italy, Illum in Denmark, and a partial stake in Selfridges). Operates 7 department stores in Switzerland (Geneva, Lausanne, Bern, Lucerne, Zurich, Glatt / Wallisellen, St. Gallen) plus 2 under construction (Zurich Bellevue, Basel Marktplatz). Founded in Zurich in 1907. Globus CEO: Franco Savastano. Worth noting: the real estate ownership is separate from the operating business and remains 50/50 between Central Group and Signa's insolvency estate, which is why some Globus buildings may yet change hands in the coming years.
A common confusion deserves direct correction: Manor was never owned by Migros. Migros and Globus had a corporate relationship from 1997 to 2020. Migros and Manor have never been linked.
Premium tier vs value tier: what each actually is
Manor Food is a dual-positioning grocer. The premium side is what most people picture: fresh seafood counters, in-house cheese affinage in larger stores, charcuterie, gift baskets, prepared traiteur platters, wine. The value side is what most coverage misses: Manor Food has run a "Guaranteed Low Prices" programme since February 21, 2018 covering 500 selected products. If you find one of those 500 cheaper anywhere in Switzerland within 21 days of purchase, Manor refunds double the price difference. They also operate the Manor Everyday value private-label line (mostly Swiss-produced basics). So Manor Food competes on price for basics and competes on selection for premium.
Globus Delicatessa is the food-hall format inside Globus department stores. The Zurich Bahnhofstrasse Delicatessa runs 1'200 sqm in the basement, with a Prosciutteria carrying 30 to 40 hams on the bone, the most diverse caviar selection in Europe (per CremeGuides), a cheese counter with an in-house Cave d'Affinage, a traiteur covering Mediterranean / Asian / Nordic / Oriental cuisines, a patisserie counter, and an extensive wine and champagne range including a Raritätenkeller (rare-vintage cellar). Globus also runs Genussführungen (guided gourmet tours, CHF 100 per person, 1 hour). The positioning is pure luxury: there is no value tier.
When premium is genuinely justified
Five categories where Manor Food and Globus Delicatessa deliver something the discounters and full-service chains structurally cannot.
1. Fresh seafood: live and ungutted whole fish, sushi-grade tuna and salmon, oysters by the dozen, specialty crustaceans. The Migros and Coop fresh-fish counters carry mainstream species (salmon, trout, perch, sole, occasionally turbot). For Saint-Pierre, Mediterranean dorade, fresh octopus, line-caught tuna, or a specific oyster origin, Manor Food or Globus is where you go.
2. Specialty cheese with affinage: Migros and Coop sell mass-market cheese well; for rare Alpine PDOs at peak maturity, raw-milk Camemberts at the right ripeness, or specific Italian or French regional cheeses, the in-house affinage cellars at Globus and at Manor's larger urban stores make a real difference.
3. Charcuterie: Spanish jamón ibérico de bellota, Italian Parma DOP at 24+ months, San Daniele, French jambon de Bayonne, specialty saucissons. The Globus Prosciutteria with 30+ hams is the structural advantage.
4. Imported brands not stocked at Migros or Coop: this is the expat and international-shopper draw. British, American, Japanese, Korean, Indian, Mexican specialty groceries that mainstream Swiss chains don't carry consistently. See the grocery guide for expats in Switzerland for the wider picture.
5. Gift baskets and entertaining: ready-assembled gift baskets, gourmet platters, hosting trays for 4 to 12 people. Globus and Manor Food both offer assembly and same-day pickup; Migros and Coop don't compete here.
The price comparison: 10 items (May 2026, Zurich)
| Item | Manor Food | Globus Delicatessa | Migros / Coop equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parmigiano Reggiano 24-month DOP, per 100g | ~CHF 4.50 | ~CHF 5.50 | CHF 3.20 to 3.80 |
| Jamón ibérico de bellota, per 100g | ~CHF 13.50 | ~CHF 14.50 | not stocked / variable |
| Beluga caviar 30g | not stocked | ~CHF 200+ | not stocked |
| French oysters No. 3, per dozen | ~CHF 24 | ~CHF 28 | ~CHF 20 (limited) |
| Fresh whole sea bream (line-caught), 400g | ~CHF 18 | ~CHF 22 | ~CHF 14 (farmed) |
| Heinz Baked Beans (imported), 415g | ~CHF 3.95 | ~CHF 4.20 | rarely stocked |
| Marmite 250g jar (UK) | ~CHF 9.90 | ~CHF 11.90 | not stocked |
| Champagne Veuve Clicquot Brut | ~CHF 65 | ~CHF 65 | ~CHF 65 |
| Manor Everyday spaghetti 500g | CHF 1.20 | not applicable | CHF 1.10 to 1.40 |
| Bottled mineral water 1.5L | CHF 0.85 | CHF 0.95 | CHF 0.45 to 0.85 |
Two patterns emerge. For specialty imports, fresh seafood and gourmet meat, the premium grocers are roughly 10 to 30% above any equivalent Migros / Coop product (where one exists) but often the only place stocking the SKU at all. For commodity basics like bottled water, branded snacks at standard price, or Manor Everyday own-label items, prices are competitive with mainstream grocers, but only on the Tiefpreis-Garantie products. Outside that list, Globus and Manor's commodity-basics prices skew 30 to 80% above Aldi or Lidl.
When NOT to shop here
Toilet paper, basic milk, eggs (unless free-range from a specific producer), branded snacks at full price, soft drinks, household cleaning products, dishwasher tablets. The convenience-store-style premium on these items at Globus and Manor Food is structural, not occasional. Buy them at Aldi, Lidl, Denner, or the discount tiers of Migros and Coop, and visit the premium grocers for the specialty 15 to 25% of your basket. See the cheapest supermarket in Switzerland guide for the discount-side map.
The expat and gift angle
For international transplants in Switzerland, Manor Food and Globus are often the first stores that stock home-country brands consistently. British expats find Heinz, HP Sauce, Marmite, Walkers. American expats find Reese's, Hershey's, Marshmallow Fluff, certain peanut butters. East Asian shoppers find specific soy sauces, miso, gochujang at acceptable freshness. None of these will be at Migros or Coop standard branches at consistent stocking levels.
For gifting (corporate, hospitality, dinner-party hostess), both grocers do this category well and similarly priced. Globus Delicatessa leans more conspicuously luxury; Manor Food gift baskets are slightly more Swiss-regional in selection. For the wine and Champagne side, see the where to buy wine and spirits in Switzerland guide.
Sources checked: .
Globus is now 100% Central Group (Thai) after Central bought out Signa's remaining 50% on 30 Sep 2024. Manor stays Maus Frères family-owned since 1902 (124 years, 4 generations). Manor was NEVER owned by Migros — common confusion. 10-item premium-vs-mainstream comparison and the 5 categories where the premium is actually worth paying.
Offers
Free, no account required · iOS & Android
Why Rappn?
Rappn is the only neutral grocery price comparison app in Switzerland , with no commercial agreements with any retailer. Our comparisons are truly independent.
- 100% free , no subscription, no hidden costs
- Neutral , no commercial agreements with Migros, Coop, Aldi, Lidl, Denner, Aligro, or Otto’s
- Real-time data , prices updated continuously
- +10,000 offers, +3,000 supermarkets, 100% free
Ready to save on groceries?
Scan the code, install Rappn, and start tracking real grocery savings this week. No account required.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who owns Globus today?
Globus was sold by Migros in 2020 to a joint venture between Signa Holding (Austria) and Central Group (Thailand). After Signa's 2023 collapse, Central Group acquired Signa's remaining stake on September 30, 2024 and now owns 100% of the operating business across all 7 Swiss department stores plus 2 under construction. Globus is no longer Swiss-owned at the corporate level. The real estate ownership remains 50/50 between Central Group and Signa's insolvency estate.
Is Manor Food still owned by Migros?
Manor was never owned by Migros. Manor has been owned by the Geneva-based Maus Frères family group continuously since 1902 (124 years). The confusion may come from the Migros-Globus relationship (1997-2020), which is a different pairing.
Are Manor Food basics overpriced?
Outside the "Guaranteed Low Prices" list of 500 selected products (where Manor refunds double any price difference you find elsewhere in Switzerland), commodity basics at Manor Food typically sit 30 to 80% above Aldi or Lidl equivalents. The Manor Everyday line is competitively priced. For your weekly staple shop, the discounters are the correct choice. Use Manor Food for specialty, fresh and gift purchases.
Where can I find specialty imported goods cheapest in Switzerland?
Manor Food and Globus Delicatessa are the broadest stockists of specialty imports, but neither is "cheap" by definition. For specific country-of-origin specialties (British, American, Asian, Mexican), specialised international grocery stores in Zurich and Geneva often beat both Manor and Globus on price for the same SKU. The premium grocers win on consistent stocking levels, not on price.
Does Globus Delicatessa deliver?
Globus operates an online store (globus.ch) which covers a substantial part of the non-food range. The Delicatessa fresh-food sections are primarily in-store experiences, with online product availability limited compared to the physical food hall. Globus does not currently have a major on-demand delivery partnership at Migros-via-Smood or Migros-via-Just-Eat scale. For premium grocery delivery the practical option remains in-store pickup and personal couriering.
Why is Globus no longer Swiss-owned?
In 2020 Migros sold Globus to a Signa Holding (Austria) and Central Group (Thailand) 50/50 joint venture. Signa filed for insolvency in November 2023. On 30 September 2024 Central Group bought Signa's remaining 50% of the operating business (Magazine zum Globus AG) for an undisclosed sum. Central Group is now the sole shareholder of the operating company. The real estate sits in a separate vehicle, still 50/50 between Central and the Signa insolvency estate.