How to Choose the Right Logistics Provider for Retail Stores in Switzerland

Supplying a network of retail locations in Switzerland is no routine operation. The Alpine topography extends travel times to certain valleys. City centers impose strict delivery windows and access restrictions.

The country operates in multiple languages, which affects labeling, documentation, and communication with in-store teams.

Added to this is the issue of customs. Switzerland is not a member of the European Union. Every shipment of goods from France or another EU country requires a customs declaration and clearance. A single error can strand a truck at the border and delay an entire restocking route.

Poorly managed logistics are costly, and the cost is rarely just a single line item on an invoice. A stockout results in the loss of an immediate sale and erodes customer loyalty.

Conversely, overstocking ties up cash flow, clutters the backroom, and increases the risk of losses on perishable goods. In between, every delivery delay disrupts the sales teams’ workflow.

Switzerland’s transportation network works in your favor. The country has a dense road and rail network, with a public transportation infrastructure spanning 24,500 kilometers and more than 2,600 stations and stops, according to Wikipedia [1]​

This density makes fast nationwide distribution possible, provided you choose a logistics provider capable of leveraging it.

Choosing a logistics provider is a driver of growth, not an expense to cut back on. The right provider reduces stockouts, frees up your cash flow, and allows your teams to focus on sales.

Before comparing quotes, define your requirements. Choosing a logistics provider to deliver to stores in Switzerland depends less on the provider’s size than on its ability to precisely meet your business model’s needs.

Use the five criteria below as a guide. To learn more, consult our guide, “Optimize Your Supply Chain in Switzerland in 2026.”​

Network coverage and hub density

The geographic distribution of your retail locations must align with the geographic distribution of the service provider’s hubs. A poorly located hub adds kilometers, time, CO2 emissions, and cost to each delivery route.

First, examine the locations of the consolidation hubs. Some providers organize their national distribution around a few central hubs.

7Days, for example, operates a star-shaped network with two central hubs in Egerkingen and Geneva. It redistributes goods throughout the country from these two locations, according to 7Days [2].This two-hub model clearly illustrates the logic: a well-located network allows Switzerland to be covered from a limited number of sites.

Next, verify the actual coverage of the territory, including border regions. A service provider based in Geneva with a presence in France can seamlessly connect your Swiss and European shipments.

Request a map of regular delivery routes and compare it to your list of stores.

Practical step: List your retail locations by region, then ask each provider to map out a typical delivery route to your three hardest-to-serve areas.

Specialized handling capabilities (cold chain, high-value goods)

Not all products are transported in the same way. A general-purpose service provider may be able to deliver standard pallets but may struggle with your sensitive items.

Temperature-controlled transport is the first thing to check for food, fine foods, and pharmaceuticals. This mode of transport requires specialized vehicles, temperature monitoring, and documented procedures.

STAR Logistique offers temperature-controlled transport solutions for sensitive sectors: pharmaceuticals, chemicals, cosmetics, and fine foods. These services are detailed on our transportation page. Always ask how temperature is measured and recorded throughout the entire route, not just at the start.

The transport of high-value goods is the second key consideration for the luxury, watchmaking, and jewelry sectors. STAR Logistique has a dedicated secure transport division for high-value items. It uses modern armored vehicles, trained drivers, and secure warehouses under 24-hour surveillance.

Hazardous materials management (ADR) follows the same logic: it requires strict compliance that few generalist providers can manage.

Practical step: Categorize your products by requirements (refrigeration, value, ADR) and rule out any service provider that does not document its procedures for your priority category.

Customs expertise for cross-border shipments

As soon as your stores are restocked from France or the EU, customs becomes a critical bottleneck. An improperly prepared customs declaration holds up the goods and disrupts the restocking schedule.

Look for an established customs broker, not just a carrier. STAR Logistique is a customs broker based in Geneva. It handles all Swiss import and export operations: customs declarations, tax representation, and expedited customs clearance, as detailed on our transportation page. ​

Its team also manages permits, customs duties, and compliance with sanitary and phytosanitary standards. This is covered in detail in its guide to shipping packages internationally.

The benefit of using a provider that combines customs and transportation services is clear. This approach reduces the risk of customs errors, delays, and compliance violations, as outlined in the guide on optimizing the supply chain in Switzerland. Having a single point of contact for customs declarations, transportation, and delivery eliminates ambiguous areas of responsibility.

It should be noted that as of January 1, 2024, customs duties on industrial products imported into Switzerland have been eliminated, but each shipment must still be subject to a complete and compliant customs declaration.

Practical step: Ask the service provider to describe, step by step, how they handle a shipment of food products from France to your Swiss stores, including all documentation and lead times.

Technology integration and supply chain visibility

You can’t properly restock what you can’t see.

Real-time inventory visibility is the foundation of reliable distribution, especially if your stores also sell online. It is the second-highest technology priority for retailers surveyed, according to a 2026 study by IHL.

A warehouse management system (WMS) allows you to track inventory levels, trigger order fulfillment, and track each shipment. STAR Logistique covers warehousing, cross-docking, and WMS logistics management, as detailed on our Company page. ​

This visibility becomes essential in an omnichannel environment, where the same inventory serves both the physical store and the e-commerce site.

Integration between your sales platform and logistics prevents duplicate entries and inventory discrepancies. To compare providers on this specific point, consult our guide to Swiss logistics providers specializing in e-commerce.​

Practical step: Request a demonstration of inventory tracking and verify how the system handles an item sold simultaneously in-store and online.

Flexibility and the ability to adapt to peaks in activity

The retail industry operates on a cycle of seasons, promotions, and holidays. A service provider that can handle your volumes in January but becomes overwhelmed in December cannot accommodate your seasonal peaks.

Assess the provider’s ability to handle peaks. Ask how the provider has managed periods of high demand. STAR Logistique highlights its responsiveness and adaptability, even during crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic, as detailed on our National Transportation page.​

Also consider returns management, which plays a major role in retail and omnichannel operations. STAR Logistique provides shipping, tracking, and a returns service, as described on our Logistics Provider page.​

Flexible scheduling is just as important. Early-morning delivery slots allow stores to stock their shelves before opening.

STAR Logistique offers next-day delivery throughout Switzerland by 6 p.m.—or even by noon, 10 a.m., or 8:30 a.m., depending on the region—as well as both day and night delivery routes, as detailed in its article “Logistics Provider for Wholesalers and Retailers.” ​

Practical step: Simulate your year-end peak and ask the service provider to estimate the additional volume it can handle without compromising delivery times.

This decision determines a large portion of your logistics costs. The two models address different needs, and most retailers combine both.

Traditional warehousing stores merchandise for the medium or long term. You maintain a buffer stock that you draw from as store needs arise. This model is suitable for slow-moving products, seasonal items purchased in advance, and items with irregular supply.

Cross-docking involves moving goods through the facility without storing them. Incoming products are received, sorted, grouped by store, and then quickly shipped out. This model reduces storage costs and speeds up the flow of goods, making it ideal for high-turnover products and fresh produce.

Cross-docking comes in several forms.

7Days offers single-level cross-docking (goods that have already been pre-assigned) and two-level cross-docking (batch splitting), plus a nighttime network for express shipments, according to 7Days.

The key performance metric to note is the transshipment time. Swiss Post Cargo inspects, consolidates, prepares, and reships incoming goods “typically within 24 hours,” according to Swiss Post Cargo.

The customer does not need to own a warehouse. Order fulfillment takes place from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. for next-day delivery. This 24-hour turnaround time is a reasonable benchmark to expect from any service provider.

STAR Logistique uses cross-docking at its strategic hubs in Geneva and France to ensure rapid distribution. This process is detailed on our transportation page. These hubs serve as consolidation points between regional and international cargo flows.

How should you choose? Analyze your product lines by turnover rate. Your fresh products and best-sellers benefit from cross-docking, which minimizes storage time and brings the arrival in-store closer to the point of sale.

Your slow-moving or seasonal products are better served by a buffer stock. The right solution is almost always a hybrid model, supported by a service provider capable of handling both.

STAR Logistique, based in Geneva since 1988, covers every stage of the global supply chain for wholesalers and retailers. Here’s how the company meets the five evaluation criteria outlined above, with supporting evidence.

Network Coverage. STAR Logistique operates strategic hubs in Geneva and France. The company provides nationwide distribution throughout Switzerland and in neighboring border regions, as detailed on our National Transportation page.​

The company also offers warehousing solutions in Germany, Canada, Spain, the United States, France, Italy, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland, as detailed on our Company page. ​

Specialized Handling. The company manages secure transport for valuable goods using armored vehicles and strict procedures. It also provides temperature-controlled transport for food and pharmaceutical products. The handling of hazardous materials in accordance with ADR regulations rounds out this offering.

Customs Expertise. STAR Logistique is a licensed customs broker in Geneva. It handles all formalities—including declarations, duties, tax representation, and transit—as detailed on our Company page. This expertise ensures the smooth flow of goods between Switzerland, France, and Europe.

Flexibility. The company offers next-day delivery with time-specific options (before 8:30 a.m., 10 a.m., 12 p.m.), as indicated in its article “Logistics Provider for Wholesalers and Retailers.” It also manages shuttle services and regular delivery routes. Packages received before 2 p.m. are shipped the same day.

Key services for a store network:

• Comprehensive national transportation throughout Switzerland and neighboring regions
• Customs clearance and full management of import and export formalities
• Short- and long-term warehousing, plus cross-docking,  at the Geneva and France hubs
• Order fulfillment, packaging, labeling, and repackaging
• Temperature-controlled,​ secure, and hazardous materials transportation
• Integrated e-logistics for retailers that also sell online, via the Emaloja platform

For more information, see our article “Swiss Leader in Logistics for Wholesale and Retail.”​

Can’t find the answer to your question?​  Contact us.

Use this list when evaluating each service provider:

• Network: Store coverage, including hard-to-reach areas and border regions
• Specialization: Documented procedures for refrigerated goods, high-value goods, and hazardous materials
• Customs: customs broker status and comprehensive management of import/export formalities
• Technology: real-time inventory visibility and integration with the sales platform
• Flexibility: capacity to handle seasonal peaks, returns management, and tailored delivery windows
• Performance: next-day delivery and cross-docking within 24 hours

STAR Logistique covers these six areas from Geneva, offering nationwide distribution, customs expertise, and specialized handling capabilities for wholesalers and retailers. ​

To discuss your specific needs and receive a proposal detailing delivery times, coverage, and rates for your store network, submit your request.​