http://indigest.biz/2015/01/how-the-swiss-national-bank-has-ruined-easter/Swiss goods will become more expensive for the British consumer after the franc surged 14pc against the pound on Thursday morning following the Swiss National Bankas decision to ditch its currencyas peg to the euro.
That means that iconic Swiss products such as watches, skiing holidays, cheese and chocolate — including the classic Lindt bunny — will be pricier as we head into Easter Egg-buying season.
Some companies will swallow these extra costs. But, if they get passed on to consumers, hereas how much you can expect to pay for your favourite Swiss goods.
Chocolate
Serious items first. Easter is just around the corner, and those of you who were already watering at the mouth at the thought of a Swiss chocolate Easter Egg should be prepared to fork out a little more. Lindtas Lindor Shell Egg, currently available for A£10.99, will cost a few bob more, and even the little Lindt bunnies will rise over the A£5 mark. If youare a particular fan of the Lindt bunny, start saving: this A£39.99 1kg Easter delight will be A£5 more expensive. Frequent fliers, take not of those Duty Free trips; Toblerone is also a Swiss chocolate.
A Rolex
The ultimate in Swiss watch design, a Rolex will set you back several thousand pounds. This Rolex Submariner Date, which is currently available for A£5,395 on Watches.co.uk, would rise to A£6,150. The most expensive Rolex ever produced was the GMT Ice, which sold for more than half a million francsa¦ luckily for your bank balance, itas no longer in production.
A Patek Philippe
Arguably Switzerlandas most luxurious watchmaker, Patek Philippe sells wristwatches for tens of thousands of pounds. This watch from Patek Philippeas Complicated range, which has a retail price of A£34,710 according to Watchfinder.co.uk, would cost almost A£39,569, while the A£43,230 Nautilus would almost hit the A£50,000 mark.
A Swatch
Swatch chief executive Nick Hayek called the francas surge a atsunamia for the export industry as his companyas shares dropped 15pc on Thursday morning.
Itas still a long way from Patek Philippe territory, but this A£95.50 Ride in Style watch would end up costing almost A£110, while the price of Swatchas Destination London wrist piece, currently available on its website for A£118, would rise to around A£135.
Cheese
Unless you eat nothing but cheese, the 14pc increase shouldnat hurt too much when buying Swiss cheeses. According to Waitrosea website, raclette costs almost A£15 per kg, emmental costs A£16.06 per kg and gruyere costs between A£20 and A£25 per kg — although most supermarkets sell cheese in 180g blocks. By the kilo, the prices of those cheeses could rise to around A£17, A£18.30 and A£28.50