SBB Plans To Close 1st Class Lounges; On Line Shopping Tax Loophole Closed; Snows Arrive In Switzerland; FCB Fans Threaten Boycott

News For 11 October 2016

The on-line magazine "The Local.CH" reports that the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) plans to shutter its first-class lounges.  In addition, plans to expand the lounges to other railway stations have been shelved as well.  Apparently, the lounges which cost upwards of 3 million francs per year to operate, were hardly used by its target market of first class, international travelers.  Unlike air passengers, who covet the opportunity to spend time in premium lounges, it seems only 5% of those traveling first class by Swiss trains ever ended up there.  What's more, only one percent of Swiss GA holders with first-class status used the lounges.  SBB spokespeople said no layoffs will result from the closing of the business line.

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The popularity of sites like Amazon with Swiss based shoppers may soon decline.  The Swiss Federal Parliament has decided to remove waivers for Value Added Taxes due on small orders, where the VAT due would be under 5 Swiss Francs.  In addition, those retailers will be required to collect the Swiss VAT at their point of sale, and presumably remit those payments to the Swiss Treasury.  The government is hoping the move will level the competitive environment for Swiss retailers with on-line stores.  The upshot is that you may receive fewer customs notices in your mailbox requiring you to pick up your parcels and pay fees at the post office.  However, the days of VAT-free shopping for small quantities of goods abroad are also coming to an end.  

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Despite the unseasonably warm weather which persisted until a few weeks ago, the sudden drop in temperatures across the country has also brought the season's first snows.  Sharon Satz, meteorologist at Swiss Meteonews reported that having snows by mid-October is actually quite normal by historical standards.  Skiiers worldwide had been fretting if continued global warming and lack of early snows in recent memory meant another short, late ski season. In Appenzell, snows reached as low as 900 meters elevation, and in Graubunden 18cm of snowfall was recorded over the weekend.  The English Show will begin its Ski Report broadcasts soon!

********** For the upcoming Champions League match between FC Basel and Paris St. Germain on October 19th at the Parc Des Princes stadium in Paris, only 800 tickets have been allocated to the visiting FCB supporters.  Fans and club managers are outraged by the paltry allotment and are calling for an outright boycott.  Managers of the stadium have cited security conditions which are still in effect since last year's terrorist attacks in Paris as the cause.  However, FCB supporters and their representatives do not find this a compelling argument.  To wit, they cite the allocation of 2200 tickets granted to London's Arsenal FC last month at the same stadium.  French authorities are however, not compelled, saying they're entitled to differentiate between visiting opponent football clubs.