GLATT:The largest [and the last?] Swiss shopping centre

Without being too apocalyptic about it, it looks as if Glatt, Switzerland's latest and largest shopping centre, just to the north of Zurich, is going to be the last the country will see for some time. Legislation is being drafted to curb large‐scale shopping developments, credit is expensive and building costs are rising rapidly. Nonetheless Glatt is a handsome and efficient addition to Switzerland's range of shopping facilities. Its three department stores ‐ Jelmoli, Globus, and Migros ‐ are all that one expects of these organisations in terms of attractive merchandising and store design, even though it's sometimes difficult to know which store one is in. The Centre hopes to reach a turn‐over target of SFr 250m this year. But the Swiss are spending less, saving more, and looking more keenly for value for money. The cash registers still whirr in the Bahnhofstrasse and the comfortable matrons still sit in the cafes on the Limmatquai eating their cream‐cakes, but in general there is an air of apprehension and concern.