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THE SWISS BOOK VOUCHER

Welcome to the Swiss book voucher - your reliable partner for the perfect gift!

The Swiss Book Voucher

Swiss Book Vouchers are valid for five years and can be purchased and redeemed at nearly any bookshop throughout Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein.

These vouchers work just like cash, which makes them an ideal gift for friends and family, students, avid readers and children of all ages.
Swiss Book Vouchers in the traditional paper format are available in denominations of CHF 10, 15, 20, 30, 50 and 100, while electronic vouchers (gift cards) are available with values of CHF 20, 50 and 100.

Board of Directors
András Neméth
András
Neméth
President of the Board
Martina Tonidandel
Martina
Tonidandel
Vice President of the Board
Prisca Wirz
Prisca
Wirz
Board member
Ruth Schildknecht
Ruth
Schildknecht
Board member
Anne Dürr
Anne
Dürr
Board member
Geschäftsstelle
Loïc von Matt
Loïc
von Matt
Administration

History

1964

The first Swiss Book Vouchers are designed by Celestino Piatti and issued for the Christmas shopping season. They are available in denominations of CHF 5, 10, 20 and 50 and have no expiration date. The Swiss Advertising Agency for the Book (SWB), a division of the Swiss Booksellers’ and Publishers’ Association (SBVV), is in charge.

1965

As an incentive for booksellers to sell the vouchers, bookshops are able to purchase Swiss Book Vouchers at a 15% discount, while the shop where the voucher is redeemed forgoes 15% of the purchase price. This business model remains in place until the end of December 2019.

1969

Sales rise to well over CHF 100,000, proving that the Swiss Book Voucher meets a customer need.

1974

Swiss Book Advertising and Information (formerly SWB) takes over management of the book vouchers on 1 August while delivery and redemption are handled by Addenda.

1976

Sales exceed CHF 1 million for the first time.

1984

Swiss Book Advertising and Information takes over all book voucher management tasks. Launch of the volume discount.

1985

New voucher design; now with EAN code.Slider

1986

Swiss Book Advertising and Information is renamed Pro Libro AG; liquidation in 1989.

1987

The validity of Swiss Book Vouchers is limited to 10 years.

1993

The Swiss Booksellers’ and Publishers’ Association (SBVV) becomes the umbrella organisation of three independent industry associations. Swiss Book Voucher is taken over by the Booksellers’ Association of German-speaking Switzerland (BVDS).

2002

Foundation of the Swiss Book Voucher Cooperative as an independent organisation based in Neuhausen.

2009

Sales exceed CHF 11 million.

2010

Swiss Book Vouchers get a facelift. The Cooperative has 434 members.

2011

The secretariat in Neuhausen is closed. The Swiss Book Voucher Society GSSB GmbH based in Stans (NW) takes over administration of the Book Voucher.

2012

A proposal to reintroduce fixed book prices is rejected in a referendum.

2015

Specially developed software is rolled out to handle nearly all administrative aspects of the Book Vouchers.

2018

Steadily decreasing sales prompt the Board of Directors to hold a two-day closed-door session to discuss strategies for the future. This gives rise to a project aimed at promoting reading by distributing Book Vouchers to school districts; the project is then evaluated within the scope of a study by the University of St. Gallen.

2020

An overwhelming majority of the members of the Cooperative vote in favour of a new business model in an extraordinary ballot vote in 2019; this change takes effect on 1 January. In the past, all purchases and redemptions of Book Vouchers had been subject to a deduction of 15%. Under the new model, no more discounts are offered and all book vouchers that are redeemed are reimbursed at 100% of their face value. This ensures that both small and large bookshops are treated fairly.

2020

Electronic Book Vouchers, a gift card in credit-card format, are launched in November. These can be used for both on-site and online purchases. Traditional paper vouchers are still available.

Vision 2028

Die Vision 28 des Schweizer Bücherbons umfasst drei Hauptziele

Bekanntheit steigern
Durch ein neues Erscheinungsbild und gezielte Marketingaktionen soll die Bekanntheit des Bücherbons bei verschiedenen Zielgruppen gesteigert werden. Interne und externe Kommunikationsstrategien sollen das Bewusstsein für die Marke erhöhen.

 

Neue Zielgruppen erschliessen
Die Marke strebt danach, neue Zielgruppen in der Buchbranche zu gewinnen, indem sie Potenziale in der Zusammenarbeit mit Unternehmen, Institutionen und Verwaltungen sieht. Durch gezielte Massnahmen sollen diese Zielgruppen auf den Bücherbon aufmerksam gemacht und an die Buchbranche gebunden werden.

 

Unterstützung ausbauen
Der Bücherbon möchte seine Rolle als Förderer in Buchhandlungen, Events, Veranstaltungen und Leseförderungsprogrammen ausbauen. Durch eine gesteigerte Präsenz und aktive Unterstützung soll der Bücherbon als wichtiger Akteur in der Buchbranche wahrgenommen werden.

We support the following events

The Swiss Book Voucher is actively involved in promoting the book trade and literature. Every year, we support numerous events and projects that celebrate the diversity and importance of reading. Here you will find a selection of our support projects that help to keep the world of books alive and spread the joy of reading.