Electronic payments are now part of everyday life for every business. However, the more the card share grows, the more independent merchants feel a structural weakness: high bank commissions are squeezing margins that are already tight – especially for SMEs. This has been the subject of discussion in Switzerland for months. And this is precisely where the cooperation between SCCL and SwiPay comes in.

The initial situation: movement in the market – but uneven reality

The Swiss Federal Competition Commission (COMCO) has implemented significant reductions in interchange fees in recent years.

• Mastercard accepted an average rate of 0.12% for debit cards in 2023.
• Visa followed in 2024 with a reduction to around 0.15 %.
• At the same time, COMCO is examining a complaint by the retail trade association against Twint.

These developments are a step in the right direction. But they do not solve the central problem:
Large retailers have been benefiting from significantly better conditions for years because they can negotiate high transaction volumes. Individual, independent retailers do not. They often pay higher rates – simply because they negotiate alone.

The SCCL’s move: joining forces instead of fighting alone

The Lausanne Merchants’ Cooperative (SCCL) has decided to no longer accept this structural inequality. Instead of waiting for regulatory changes, it has pooled the economic strength of its members – and negotiated a framework agreement together with SwiPay.

The effect is clear:
SCCL members benefit from at least 20 % lower transaction costs, and up to 50 % depending on the profile. These reductions have an immediate effect – and strengthen margins, competitiveness and entrepreneurial stability in Lausanne trading.

Anne-Lise Noz, President of the SCCL, sums it up:
While COMCO acts at a regulatory level, we have decided to intervene on the ground by pooling the economic power of our members. This agreement with SwiPay shows that by pooling their interests, merchants can achieve conditions that match those of the major brands.

The role of SwiPay: independent, regional, clearly structured

SwiPay provides SCCL with a payment setup that is fair, predictable and regionally anchored. No international monopolies, no hidden costs, no dependencies. The agreement is exclusive to SCCL members – and shows for the first time how strong SMEs can become when they work together in the payment sector.

For SwiPay, Lausanne is more than just a project. It is a model that shows how regional mergers can change the rules of the game: simpler, more transparent, more economically viable.

A model that goes further

The SCCL plans to extend this negotiation model to other areas – from insurance and finance to communication and services. Payment was the first step. Others will follow.

And a clear perspective is also opening up for other regions:
When local retailers join forces, conditions are created that were previously reserved for large companies.

A signal for Swiss trade

Lausanne proves that fair payment conditions do not have to be a theory. They are created where retailers stand together, think regionally and use independent solutions.

With passion. With focus. With you.