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If I want to start a small retailer which will import products from the far east and sell them in a small store in Switzerland, what do I need to do? I am not a resident of CH but I have the right to enter on my (US non-diplomatic) passport.
Part will be legal and part will be logistical.
Is there something I'm not thinking of?
Switzerland is a highly diverse country given its small size. The three main language regions (German/French/Italian) are culturally oriented toward their same-language neighbors, so a fad in Germany might not even be known to the French-speaking population of Switzerland.
Furthermore, there is a noticeable cultural divide between cities and the countryside; products that may be acceptable to sell in a city may not be well received in the countryside.
The foreign population can also be segregated to different language regions.
In short: If you consider opening a store, you should do thorough market research to identify where in Switzerland the store should be located.
I don't know witch kind of Visa you have on your passport, but you need a permit to be a resident in CH to open a company there, otherwise you need to find a business partner with a permanent resident permit in CH or with the CH nationality.
If you like you could also use a fiduciary company that will open the company following your direction.
