Consumer Fair MUBA in Basel for the last time

Switzerland's oldest consumer fair, the MUBA (Mustermesse Basel) will be opening its doors for the last time this February, ending a more than 100-years-old tradition and a highlight in Basel's annual calendar.

The reason is simple - a steep decline in visitors and sales in recent years. In 2018, more than 120'000 people from Switzerland, southern Germany and Alsace visited the MUBA, and slightly more than half of them made a purchase, spending on average CHF 614 each, for a total of about CHF 41 million spent.

Despite these seemingly impressive numbers, they represent a substantial decline from previous years. At the height of hte MUBA in the 1960s and 70s, visitor numbers exceeded 1 million per year, and even in 2010 more than 300'000 people visited the fair. Since then, visitor numbers have been dropping, and the organisers concluded that the existing consumer fair format no longer fits with today's consumer behaviour.

Internet-based shops that are accessible around the clock and online shopping from vendors around the world have replaced the fairs that allowed visitors to learn about new trends and to see or test new products.

Still, MUBA is going out with a bang: at this year's MUBA, more than 200 vendors from a wide range of areas will present products ranging from appliances, art, clothing, food, garden, health and well-being, home furnishings, jewellery, leather, recreation, sports, wines and much more.

Local service providers will also introduce their offers. There will also be daily activities such as cooking shows in the food atelier and talks and music programmes on the show stage. The food court area will have something for everyone.

When: 8 - 17 February 2019

Opening hours are here.

Where: Halle 2, Messeplatz Basel

As a special gift to visitors for this last edition of the MUBA, entrance is free on all days.