For those interested in en-gros shopping:

http://www.aligro.ch/de/ueber-uns/di...kte/schlieren/

Opened yesterday.

Ahh, you will come to love it as we in the Suisse Romande do. The wine section alone is worth the trip.

Yes. Aligro has some great deals, especially in larger sizes.

You do however need a card to be able to buy there (a bit of a club concept) and benefit from the special offers. The card for families is free and you can apply on-line. From memory it does not allow you to take advantage of the special offers on the weekend (so shop during the week).

There are always two check-out lines - one for the professionals (restaurants) with their card and one for families with the "Gourmands / Gourmets" card. They are indicated.

Link in FR to fill in the card request:http://www.aligro.ch/fr/lespace-clie...et-newsletter/

Link in DE to fill in the card request: http://www.aligro.ch/de/lespace-clie...et-newsletter/

What sort of quality is the meat? Is there an equivalent of Coop natura plan or Bio?

Just went to Aligro yesterday and I have to say I was not all that impressed.

The meat and seafood is great. (Australian 2.5 kg leg of lamb, on the bone and all) The wine was not all that cheap, I prefer Denner by far. Some dry goods were even more expensive than Spar and Denner...

I will however make the trip for my meat and seafood, I just wish the bloody fridges here were bigger like back home...

I went to Aligro for the first time today, to the store in Matran near Fribourg,

http://map.search.ch/matran/ch.de-la-cornache-1

I agree the dry stuff was not special, but the fresh offer was astounding!

Fruit & vegetables, fresh herbs, fish, meat all reasonable prices, but the variety was amazing.

Filet of hare, whole boned leg of venison, fish paté, crab claws. When did you see ANY of those in your local Coop?

It was explained to me that on Fridays and Saturdays without the card I could not buy the special offers unless my order was over CHF 100,--

However I could usually pay cash without the card, - which I did, spending just CHF 17.75 without any penalty.

As I mentioned above, the card is FREE and you can apply on-line. Then you are good to go.

Is there anyone here that filled out the online application and actually received a card?

I have filled out the application for the branch in Matran 3 times and never got an email or letter, nothing. I also tried calling a couple of times to ask if I can get one in store and no one answers the phone either.

If I go there will I be able to get a card in the store?

I did both for the Schlieren store. Applied at the store and got a temporary card immediately. Also applied online the week before, 2 cards arrived in the post about 2 weeks later.

I applied on-line and got a card in the mail.

If you "forget" the card (I leave it in one car and sometimes take another), just go to the reception and say you forgot your card. They will give you a day card (paper) that will allow you to purchase the specials.

Thanks, I'll drive down to Fribourg sometime and try get a card on the spot then.