When the season starts in October, the shop near Lake Oeschinen fills with life. The air is filled with anticipation and the scent of fresh ski wax. Customers look for the suitable equipment for the season, ranging from breathable clothing, bikes and hiking poles to high-end carbon cross-country skis. No matter what is needed: The team is on hand to advise on every requirement.

On days when there is fresh powder snow on the cross-country track, business is at its peak. In such weather, it is not uncommon to have more than 100 paying guests per day.

Svenja Grossen emphasises the versatility of her everyday life:

«That is the beauty of our job: every customer is an individual, which makes the work very varied.»

Svenja Grossen

Managing Director of Grossen Sport

Passion for over seven decades

The deep connection to sport has a long history dating back to 1953. Back then, mountain guide and ski instructor Alfred Grossen founded the business. What began with renting out alpine skis developed over decades into the top address for Nordic sport in Switzerland. Lars and Svenja Grossen now continue what their grandfather Alfred and father Fredy built up with hard work. A special highlight of recent history is that in 2025, cross-country skiing legend Dario Cologna visited Grossen Sport. As a belated 70th anniversary present, Dario accompanied some customers onto the ski track.

In this day and age, where almost everything is available with a click on the internet, Grossen Sport benefits from the fact that their shop is located directly next to the Kandersteg cross-country trail network. This allows customers to test the equipment right on the doorstep before they buy it. Besides testing on the trail, customers also place a high value on the recommendations of the sales experts, the Grossens say: «Cross-country skiing equipment requires intensive advice, as skis in particular are sold according to body weight, height and ability. No online shop can replace that.»

Behind this success is a professional and competent team of 8 to 10 people who have supported Grossen Sport for many years. The workforce sees itself as part of the Grossen sports family and also spends a lot of time together in their private lives. This cohesion is extremely important to the owners, as they want customers to feel exactly this harmony in the shop.

Ready to go from the first second thanks to Payrexx

So that the team can concentrate fully on advising customers, the technology must work reliably. For payment processing, Grossen Sport relies on the card readers from Payrexx. Setting up the devices was particularly simple: every card terminal was ready to use the first time it was switched on - no set-up, connection or installation required. The team also rates the handling as very easy and clear.

In the high season, the speed at which payments are processed is also particularly important: customers want to pay quickly and hit the snow without delay. When the internet caused problems last summer, the card readers from Payrexx also proved to be a real lifesaver. Thanks to the integrated SIM cards, Grossen Sport remained fully operational, while other debit card terminals gave up.

Growing together in the digital age

In addition to stationary retail, Grossen Sport also uses Payrexx digitally. Admission tickets for the climbing hall are sold and vouchers are issued via the online payment function on their website. Payment links are also used on a regular basis. 

In this way, Payrexx connects the store's retail presence with its online presence, bundles all payments in one interface and provides the Grossens with a single, clear payout.

At the same time, Payrexx also takes feedback from business owners seriously. If Lars and Svenja Grossen encounter a technical problem, Payrexx's personal support team takes care of their concern quickly and reliably. Accordingly, the owners' conclusion regarding their contact with the payment provider from Thun is highly positive:

«We find the collaboration very pleasant. Responses are always very quick and the staff are always very friendly. Top!»

Svenja Grossen

Even after more than 70 years, Grossen Sport continues to look ahead. The business looks forward to looking after regular customers as well as new ones and offering the best service even on stressful winter days - also thanks to the reliable card readers from Payrexx.