Swiss clubs can increase their income with their own online shop, digital payment methods such as TWINT and QR-Pay, as well as automated membership fees, and drastically reduce the administrative burden on the committee. The key lies in the combination of simple club software, a broad payment mix and a legally clean setup – because club shops in Switzerland are subject to the same obligations as any other online shop.

This guide shows you which e-commerce models exist for clubs, which payment methods have established themselves in Switzerland, what you need to watch out for regarding data protection and compliance – and how to achieve maximum impact with minimal effort.

1. Status quo: Why clubs are now selling digitally

Switzerland has over 100,000 clubs – from sports clubs to cultural associations and environmental organisations. In Germany there are around 600,000, in Austria 125,000. Almost all of them face the same challenges: declining willingness to use cash, rising expectations for digital services and a chronic lack of time in volunteer roles.

The pandemic also triggered the digitalisation boost in club life. According to TWINT and RaiseNow, over 16,000 Swiss clubs already trust their joint payment solution for cashless collection. PostFinance, Raiffeisen and the major Swiss banks are actively promoting the digitalisation of clubs – with their own club packages, TWINT integrations and recommendations for club software such as ClubDesk or Fairgate.

At the same time, more and more specialised club shop providers are emerging (Fan12, MyTeamShop, Vereinslinie, ClubSolution), offering clubs free, branded online shops – complete with production, shipping and a revenue share of up to 25%. The club only provides the logo and the colours.

2. The five e-commerce channels for clubs

E-commerce for clubs does not just mean merchandise sales. It includes at least five channels, each with different requirements for payment processing and technology:

Club shop (merchandise & fan items)

Personalised shirts, hoodies, caps, mugs or key rings in club design. Either via a specialised service provider (print-on-demand, including fulfilment) or via your own webshop connected to a payment service provider (PSP). The typical order value is between CHF 30 and 80 per purchase.

Membership fees and course registrations

The largest recurring payment flow: annual or quarterly fees, course subscriptions, season passes. In Switzerland these are increasingly collected via QR invoice or TWINT. Automated recurring payments (Recurring Payments) by credit card or direct debit create predictable income and eliminate the tedious follow-up with members in arrears.

Event ticketing

Club parties, tournaments, concerts, general meetings: online ticketing with prepaid payment reduces no-shows, simplifies planning and eliminates cash at the evening box office. Integrating a payment link (PayLink) into emails or WhatsApp groups is the fastest way.

Donations and fundraising

Digital donations via QR code, PayLink or donation form on the website. In Switzerland, over 8,000 organisations use RaiseNow for digital fundraising. Crowdfunding platforms such as lokalhelden.ch (Raiffeisen) or wemakeit offer additional reach for project-based campaigns.

Cashless collection on site

At the club festival, in the club house, at cake sales or tombolas: TWINT, QR codes, card terminals or smartphone-based digital terminals are increasingly replacing cash. Fees are 1.3–2.5% per transaction (TWINT via RaiseNow), while the club saves on counting, bank deposits and theft risk.

3. Comparison: payment methods for Swiss clubs

Not every payment method is suitable for every channel. The following table shows which payment types work best for typical club use cases:

Recommendation: In Switzerland, TWINT is the all-rounder – it covers all five channels. Combined with QR invoice for fees and credit card/PostFinance for the online shop, you get a payment mix that reaches practically all members and visitors.

4. Legal basis: what Swiss clubs need to observe

If a club operates an online shop, it is subject in Switzerland to the same legal requirements as any other online retailer. That sounds strict, but it can be implemented easily with the right tools.

Legal notice and data protection

Every club shop needs a complete legal notice (club name, address, contact person) and a privacy policy that complies with the revised Swiss Data Protection Act (DPA, in force since 1 September 2023). Particularly relevant: the processing of personal data (name, address, payment data) must be communicated transparently. For clubs that also have members in the EU, the GDPR additionally applies.

Right of cancellation and terms and conditions

Under Swiss law – unlike in the EU – there is no general right of cancellation in online commerce. Nevertheless, it is advisable to define clear terms and conditions with return rules, as this builds trust and avoids conflicts. Providers such as eRecht24 or the Swiss law firm Brüllhardt offer generators and templates for club terms and conditions.

Non-profit status and taxes

Income from a club shop can jeopardise the tax-exempt status of a non-profit club if it is classified as commercial. Cantonal tax offices check whether the economic activity remains subordinate to the club’s ideal purpose. As a rule of thumb: as long as shop income is subordinate in relation to the overall budget and the profits flow entirely into the club’s purpose, tax exemption generally remains in place. It is nevertheless advisable to consult the responsible cantonal tax office.

5. Trends: what is changing for clubs

Community commerce instead of classic e-commerce

In a club environment, people do not buy because of the price – but because of belonging. That makes club e-commerce fundamentally different from classic online commerce: the target group is small, but extremely loyal. Conversion rates are high, returns are low. Limited editions, anniversary items and personalised products work exceptionally well.

Mobile first is mandatory

Club communication runs via WhatsApp, Instagram and club apps. Accordingly, the entire payment flow – from the PayLink in the WhatsApp group to the checkout in the club shop – must work smoothly on a smartphone. Payment methods such as TWINT, Apple Pay and Google Pay are not optional, but a basic requirement.

Recurring payments as a stability anchor

The trend towards subscription models is also reaching club life. Monthly training fees, season passes, course subscriptions – recurring payments create predictable income and reduce administrative effort. A PSP that natively supports Recurring Payments is a prerequisite for this.

Platform convergence: everything from a single source

Club software (ClubDesk, Fairgate, Webling, SportMember) is increasingly becoming a platform: member administration, website, accounting, shop and payments – all in one tool. The PSP becomes the invisible infrastructure that processes all payment flows in the background. The API capability of the PSP determines how seamless this integration is.

6. Checklist: what you should check before getting started

Before introducing e-commerce functions for your club, clarify these points:

• Check club statutes: do the statutes allow economic activity (shop sales, ticketing)? If not, the next general meeting must approve an amendment.

• Secure tax exemption: consult the cantonal tax office on whether an online shop could jeopardise non-profit status.

• Create legal notice and privacy policy: mandatory for every online shop. The revised DPA (since 1.9.2023) increases the requirements.

• Define payment methods: cover at least TWINT + QR invoice + credit card. Check whether the PSP supports PostFinance and Apple/Google Pay.

• Set up a club account for payouts: the PSP pays out to the club account – make sure the account is business-capable and meets the PSP’s requirements.

• Check club software integration: does your club software (ClubDesk, Fairgate etc.) offer an interface to the chosen PSP? Are payments booked automatically?

• Define responsibilities within the committee: who looks after the shop? Who monitors incoming payments? Minimal effort is only possible if the processes are clear.

• Test mobile suitability: is the shop, the donation form and the checkout usable on a smartphone? Do PayLinks work in WhatsApp?

• Set terms and return rules: even though there is no statutory right of cancellation in Switzerland – clear rules build trust.

• Run a test order: before the shop goes live, go through the entire purchase process once yourself – including payment, confirmation email and booking.

7. How to process payments for your club with Payrexx

Payrexx offers Swiss clubs a payment solution that covers all the channels described from a single source: TWINT, QR invoice, credit cards, PostFinance, Apple Pay and Google Pay – activatable with just a few clicks, without any technical knowledge.

With Payrexx Links and QR codes, you can send payment requests for membership fees, event tickets or donations directly by SMS, email or as a notice in the club premises.

The recurring payment function automates fee collection. For clubs with their own webshop, Payrexx provides plugins for common shop systems and an API that enables seamless integration with club software.

KYC checks and regulatory compliance are handled by Payrexx as a licensed PSP – the club does not need to take care of anti-money-laundering obligations itself. Start now with a free Payrexx account and set up your first payment page in just a few minutes.