When the season starts in October, the shop near Lake Oeschinen fills with life. The air is filled with anticipation and the scent of fresh ski wax. Customers look for the right equipment for the season, ranging from breathable clothing, bikes and hiking poles, to high-end carbon cross-country skis. No matter what is currently needed, the team is on hand to advise on every requirement.

On days when there is fresh powder snow on the trail, the shop is extremely busy. In such weather, over 100 paying guests per day are not uncommon.

Svenja Grossen emphasises the versatility of her everyday work:

"That's the beauty of our job: every customer is individual, which makes the work very varied."

Svenja Grossen

Managing Director of Grossen Sport

Passion for over seven decades

The deep connection to sport has a long history, dating back to 1953. This is when mountain guide and ski instructor Alfred Grossen founded the shop. What began with the rental of alpine skis developed over the decades into the top address for Nordic sport in Switzerland. Lars and Svenja Grossen continue today what their grandfather Alfred and their father Fredy built up with much hard work. A special highlight of recent history is that in 2025, cross-country skiing legend Dario Cologna visited Grossen Sport. As a belated 70th anniversary gift, Dario accompanied some customers onto the trail.

Nowadays, when almost everything is available with a click on the Internet, Grossen Sport benefits from the fact that their shop is located directly on the Kandersteg cross-country skiing trail network. Customers can test the equipment directly in front of the shop door before they buy it. In addition to testing on the trail, customers also place great value on the recommendations of the sales experts, the Grossens explain: "Cross-country skiing equipment requires a lot of advice, as skis in particular are sold according to body weight, height and ability. No online shop can replace that."

Behind this success is a professional and competent team of 8 to 10 people, which has supported Grossen Sport for many years. The staff see themselves as part of the Grossen sports family and also do a lot together privately. This cohesion is extremely important to the owners, as it is precisely this harmony that can also be felt by the customers in the shop.

Ready to go from the first second thanks to Payrexx

To ensure that the team can concentrate fully on advising customers, the technology must function reliably. Grossen Sport relies on the card readers from Payrexx for payment processing. Setting up the devices was particularly simple: every card terminal was ready to go the very first time it was switched on – no setup, connection or installation required. The team also rates the handling as very simple and clear.

In high season, the speed at which payments are processed is also particularly important: customers want to pay quickly and hit the snow without delay. When the internet caused problems last summer, the Payrexx card readers also proved to be a real lifesaver. Thanks to the integrated SIM cards, Grossen Sport remained fully operational, while other card terminals gave up.

Growing together in the digital age

In addition to stationary retail, Grossen Sport also uses Payrexx digitally. Admission tickets for the climbing hall are sold and vouchers are issued via the online payment function on their website. Payment links are also used regularly. 

Thus, Payrexx connects the stationary trade of the shop with its online presence, bundles all payments in one interface and provides the Grossens with a single and clear payout.

At the same time, Payrexx also takes feedback from entrepreneurs seriously. If Lars and Svenja Grossen encounter a technical problem, Payrexx's personal support takes care of their concern quickly and reliably. The owners' conclusion regarding their contact with the payment provider from Thun is correspondingly positive:

"We find the cooperation very pleasant. They always reply very quickly and the employees are always very friendly. Top!"

Svenja Grossen

Even after more than 70 years, Grossen Sport's gaze remains directed forward. The business looks forward to serving both regular customers and new customers and to offering the best service even on stressful winter days – thanks to the reliable card readers from Payrexx, among other things.