Retailing in Sweden

Euromonitor International's Retailing in Sweden examines whether recent high growth rates can be sustained in an economic downturn. Growth has been boosted by richer consumers spending more and some companies’ decision to sell a wider range of non-food products. Rising sales have supported expansion into new markets, new store formats and moves into private label products. However, the economic downturn has set some of these strategies back, this analysis looks at whether grocery retailers will continue to enjoy similar rates of growth in the future.

Tables: 199  |  Publication date: Apr 2009
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Product coverage

Non-store retailing; Store-based retailing

Executive summary

Slowing economic growth impacts negatively on retail sales in 2008

Retailing in Sweden saw growth slow in 2008 as a result of weaker economic growth, particularly during the second part of the year. Increasing food prices, record petrol prices and interest rates which were higher than they had been in a decade, all contributed to consumers having less money to spend. In particular, categories in which purchases were not immediately necessary were affected, with consumers postponing expenditure. Such product types were, for instance, durable goods and furniture. Other product types started to suffer from consumers shifting to less premium products and brands due to lower disposable incomes. For instance, in beauty products and clothing, luxury brands lost share, but also in grocery retail consumers traded down to less expensive products.

Store-based retailing dominates, but non-store retailing gains share in 2008

Store-based retailing continued to dominate sales, whilst non-store retailing remained marginal in 2008. Non-store retailing, however, saw rapid growth, mainly thanks to the growth of internet retailing. This channel continued to gain acceptance amongst many consumers in 2008, and also gained share in areas where it traditionally had negligible shares, such as in grocery retail. Growth in non-store retailing was also spurred by company activity, as internet companies increasingly promoted themselves.

Shopping centres continue to gain ground, but at slower pace

Out-of-town shopping centres continued to gain share from high street outlets in 2008, but at a slower pace. Shopping centres was to some degree becoming saturated, and local supermarkets and convenience stores also gained ground somewhat in 2008 as a result of busier lifestyles. Shopping centres are, however expected to gain ground over the coming years, as a slowing economy will lead to growth in discounters, and these are mainly situated in out-of-town shopping centres in Sweden.

Chains continue to dominate and push out independent operators

Retail chains dominated sales at all levels in Sweden, while independent outlets struggled to survive. In fact, the largest ten retail companies together accounted for close to half of retail sales in Sweden, of which a large proportion consisted of sales through the three leading grocery retail chains. Over the coming years, a slowing economy is set to intensify competition between retailers further, and the remaining independent outlets are expected to be the ones to suffer the most from decreasing demand.

Table of contents

RETAILING IN SWEDEN : MARKET INSIGHT

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Slowing economic growth impacts negatively on retail sales in 2008

Store-based retailing dominates, but non-store retailing gains share in 2008

Shopping centres continue to gain ground, but at slower pace

Chains continue to dominate and push out independent operators

KEY TRENDS AND DEVELOPMENTS

Economy weakening at a rapid pace in 2008

Climate debate continues to impact retailing

Increasingly busy lifestyles, but the trend is weakened by the slowing economy

Chains dominate and continue to strengthen their grip in 2008

MARKET INDICATORS

Table 1 Employment in Retailing 2003-2008

MARKET DATA

Table 2 Sales in Retailing by Sector: Value 2003-2008

Table 3 Sales in Retailing by Sector: % Value Growth 2003-2008

Table 4 Sales in Retailing by Grocery vs Non-Grocery 2005-2008

Table 5 Sales in Store-Based Retailing by Sector: Value 2003-2008

Table 6 Sales in Store-Based Retailing by Sector: % Value Growth 2003-2008

Table 7 Sales in Non-store Retailing by Sector: Value 2003-2008

Table 8 Sales in Non-store Retailing by Sector: % Value Growth 2003-2008

Table 9 Retailing Company Shares: % Value 2004-2008

Table 10 Grocery Retailers Company Shares: % Value 2004-2008

Table 11 Grocery Retailers Brand Shares: % Value 2005-2008

Table 12 Non-Grocery Retailers Company Shares: % Value 2004-2008

Table 13 Non-Grocery Retailers Brand Shares: % Value 2005-2008

Table 14 Non-store Retailing Company Shares: % Value 2004-2008

Table 15 Non-store Retailing Brand Shares: % Value 2005-2008

Table 16 Forecast Sales in Retailing by Sector: Value 2008-2013

Table 17 Forecast Sales in Retailing by Sector: % Value Growth 2008-2013

Table 18 Forecast Sales in Store-Based Retailing by Sector: Value 2008-2013

Table 19 Forecast Sales in Store-Based Retailing by Sector: % Value Growth 2008-2013

Table 20 Forecast Sales in Non-store Retailing by Sector: Value 2008-2013

Table 21 Forecast Sales in Non-store Retailing by Sector: % Value Growth 2008-2013

APPENDIX

Operating environment

DEFINITIONS

Summary 1 Research Sources

LOCAL COMPANY PROFILES - SWEDEN

ÅHLENS AB - RETAILING - SWEDEN

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 2 Åhlens AB: Key Facts

Summary 3 Åhlens AB: Operational Indicators

COMPANY BACKGROUND

PRIVATE LABEL

Summary 4 Åhlens AB: Private Labels

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

Summary 5 Åhlens AB: Competitive Position 2008

APOTEKET AB - RETAILING - SWEDEN

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 6 Apoteket AB: Key Facts

Summary 7 Apoteket AB: Operational Indicators

COMPANY BACKGROUND

PRIVATE LABEL

Summary 8 Apoteket AB: Private Label Portfolio

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

Summary 9 Apoteket AB: Competitive Position 2008

AXFOOD AB - RETAILING - SWEDEN

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 10 Axfood AB: Key Facts

Summary 11 Axfood AB: Operational Indicators

COMPANY BACKGROUND

PRIVATE LABEL

Summary 12 Axfood AB: Private Label Portfolio

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

Summary 13 Axfood AB: Competitive Position 2008

BERGENDAHL & SON AB - RETAILING - SWEDEN

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 14 Bergendahl & Son AB: Key Facts

Summary 15 Bergendahl & Son AB: Operational Indicators

COMPANY BACKGROUND

PRIVATE LABEL

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

Summary 16 Bergendahl & Son AB: Competitive Position 2008

Table 22 Major independent chains supplied by Bergendahl & Son AB, 2007

CLAS OHLSON AB - RETAILING - SWEDEN

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 17 Clas Ohlson AB: Key Facts

Summary 18 Clas Ohlson AB: Operational Indicators

COMPANY BACKGROUND

PRIVATE LABEL

Summary 19 Clas Ohlson AB: Private Label Portfolio

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

Summary 20 Clas Ohlson AB: Competitive Position 2008

COOP SVERIGE AB - RETAILING - SWEDEN

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 21 Coop Sverige AB: Key Facts

Summary 22 Coop Sverige AB: Operational Indicators

COMPANY BACKGROUND

PRIVATE LABEL

Summary 23 Coop Sverige AB: Private Label Portfolio

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

Summary 24 Coop Sverige AB: Competitive Position 2008

Table 23 Largest Konsumentföreningar 2006

EL-GIGANTEN AB - RETAILING - SWEDEN

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 25 El-Giganten AB: Key Facts

Summary 26 El-Giganten AB: Operational Indicators

COMPANY BACKGROUND

PRIVATE LABEL

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

Summary 27 El-Giganten AB: Competitive Position 2008

HENNES & MAURITZ (H&M) AB - RETAILING - SWEDEN

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 28 Hennes & Mauritz (H&M) AB: Key Facts

Summary 29 Hennes & Mauritz (H&M) AB: Operational Indicators

COMPANY BACKGROUND

PRIVATE LABEL

Summary 30 Hennes & Mauritz (H&M) AB: Private Label Portfolio

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

Summary 31 Hennes & Mauritz (H&M) AB: Competitive Position 2008

ICA SVERIGE AB - RETAILING - SWEDEN

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 32 ICA Sverige AB: Key Facts

Summary 33 ICA Sverige AB: Operational Indicators

COMPANY BACKGROUND

PRIVATE LABEL

Summary 34 ICA Sverige AB: Private Label Portfolio

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

Summary 35 ICA Sverige AB: Competitive Position 2008

IKEA AB - RETAILING - SWEDEN

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 36 IKEA AB: Key Facts

Summary 37 IKEA AB: Operational Indicators

COMPANY BACKGROUND

PRIVATE LABEL

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

Summary 38 IKEA AB: Competitive Position 2008

LINDEX AB - RETAILING - SWEDEN

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 39 Lindex AB: Key Facts

Summary 40 Lindex AB: Operational Indicators

COMPANY BACKGROUND

PRIVATE LABEL

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

Summary 41 Lindex AB: Competitive Position 2008

NETONNET AB - RETAILING - SWEDEN

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 42 Netonnet AB: Key Facts

Summary 43 Netonnet AB: Operational Indicators

COMPANY BACKGROUND

PRIVATE LABEL

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

Summary 44 Netonnet AB: Competitive Position 2008

ÖOB ÖVERSKOTTSBOLAGET AB - RETAILING - SWEDEN

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 45 Öob Överskottsbolaget AB: Key Facts

Summary 46 Öob Överskottsbolaget AB: Operational Indicators

COMPANY BACKGROUND

PRIVATE LABEL

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

Summary 47 Överskottsbolaget AB: Competitive Position 2008

STADIUM SWEDEN AB - RETAILING - SWEDEN

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 48 Stadium Sweden AB: Key Facts

Summary 49 Stadium Sweden AB: Operational Indicators

COMPANY BACKGROUND

PRIVATE LABEL

Summary 50 Stadium Sweden AB: Private Label Portfolio

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

Summary 51 Stadium Sweden AB: Competitive Position 2008

SYSTEMBOLAGET AB - RETAILING - SWEDEN

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 52 Systembolaget AB: Key Facts

Summary 53 Systembolaget AB: Operational Indicators

COMPANY BACKGROUND

PRIVATE LABEL

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

Summary 54 Systembolaget AB: Competitive Position 2008

Table 24 Additional Systembolaget data

Table 25 Busiest sales days at Systembolaget, 2006

HYPERMARKETS IN SWEDEN

OVERVIEW

SECTOR DATA

Table 26 Hypermarkets: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2003-2008

Table 27 Hypermarkets: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2003-2008

Table 28 Hypermarkets Company Shares by Value 2004-2008

Table 29 Hypermarkets Brand Shares by Value 2005-2008

Table 30 Hypermarkets Brand Shares by Outlets 2005-2008

Table 31 Hypermarkets Brand Shares by Selling Space 2005-2008

Table 32 Hypermarkets Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2008-2013

Table 33 Hypermarkets Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2008-2013

SUPERMARKETS IN SWEDEN

HEADLINES

OVERVIEW

SECTOR DATA

Table 34 Supermarkets: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2003-2008

Table 35 Supermarkets: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2003-2008

Table 36 Supermarkets Company Shares by Value 2004-2008

Table 37 Supermarkets Brand Shares by Value 2005-2008

Table 38 Supermarkets Brand Shares by Outlets 2005-2008

Table 39 Supermarkets Brand Shares by Selling Space 2005-2008

Table 40 Supermarkets Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2008-2013

Table 41 Supermarkets Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2008-2013

DISCOUNTERS IN SWEDEN

HEADLINES

TRENDS

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

PROSPECTS

SECTOR DATA

Table 42 Discounters: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2003-2008

Table 43 Discounters: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2003-2008

Table 44 Discounters Company Shares by Value 2004-2008

Table 45 Discounters Brand Shares by Value 2005-2008

Table 46 Discounters Brand Shares by Outlets 2005-2008

Table 47 Discounters Brand Shares by Selling Space 2005-2008

Table 48 Discounters Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2008-2013

Table 49 Discounters Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2008-2013

CONVENIENCE STORES IN SWEDEN

HEADLINES

OVERVIEW

SECTOR DATA

Table 50 Convenience Stores: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2003-2008

Table 51 Convenience Stores: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2003-2008

Table 52 Convenience Stores Company Shares by Value 2004-2008

Table 53 Convenience Stores Brand Shares by Value 2005-2008

Table 54 Convenience Stores Brand Shares by Outlets 2005-2008

Table 55 Convenience Stores Brand Shares by Selling Space 2005-2008

Table 56 Convenience Stores Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2008-2013

Table 57 Convenience Stores Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2008-2013

FORECOURT RETAILERS IN SWEDEN

HEADLINES

OVERVIEW

SECTOR DATA

Table 58 Forecourt Retailers: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2003-2008

Table 59 Forecourt Retailers: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2003-2008

Table 60 Forecourt Retailers Company Shares by Value 2004-2008

Table 61 Forecourt Retailers Brand Shares by Value 2005-2008

Table 62 Forecourt Retailers Brand Shares by Outlets 2005-2008

Table 63 Forecourt Retailers Brand Shares by Selling Space 2005-2008

Table 64 Forecourt Retailers Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2008-2013

Table 65 Forecourt Retailers Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2008-2013

MIXED RETAILERS IN SWEDEN

HEADLINES

TRENDS

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

PROSPECTS

SECTOR DATA

Table 66 Mixed Retailers: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2003-2008

Table 67 Mixed Retailers: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2003-2008

Table 68 Mixed Retailers Company Shares by Value 2004-2008

Table 69 Mixed Retailers Brand Shares by Value 2005-2008

Table 70 Mixed Retailers Brand Shares by Outlets 2005-2008

Table 71 Mixed Retailers Brand Shares by Selling Space 2005-2008

Table 72 Mixed Retailers Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2008-2013

Table 73 Mixed Retailers Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2008-2013

HEALTH AND BEAUTY SPECIALIST RETAILERS IN SWEDEN

HEADLINES

TRENDS

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

PROSPECTS

SECTOR DATA

Table 74 Health and Beauty Retailers: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2003-2008

Table 75 Health and Beauty Retailers: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2003-2008

Table 76 Health and Beauty Retailers Company Shares by Value 2004-2008

Table 77 Health and Beauty Retailers Brand Shares by Value 2005-2008

Table 78 Health and Beauty Retailers Brand Shares by Outlets 2005-2008

Table 79 Health and Beauty Retailers Brand Shares by Selling Space 2005-2008

Table 80 Health and Beauty Retailers Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2008-2013

Table 81 Health and Beauty Retailers Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2008-2013

CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR SPECIALIST RETAILERS IN SWEDEN

HEADLINES

OVERVIEW

SECTOR DATA

Table 82 Clothing and Footwear Retailers: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2003-2008

Table 83 Clothing and Footwear Retailers: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2003-2008

Table 84 Clothing and Footwear Retailers Company Shares by Value 2004-2008

Table 85 Clothing and Footwear Retailers Brand Shares by Value 2005-2008

Table 86 Clothing and Footwear Retailers Brand Shares by Outlets 2005-2008

Table 87 Clothing and Footwear Retailers Brand Shares by Selling Space 2005-2008

Table 88 Clothing and Footwear Retailers Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2008-2013

Table 89 Clothing and Footwear Retailers Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2008-2013

FURNITURE AND FURNISHINGS STORES IN SWEDEN

HEADLINES

OVERVIEW

SECTOR DATA

Table 90 Furniture and Furnishings Stores: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2003-2008

Table 91 Furniture and Furnishings Stores: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2003-2008

Table 92 Furniture and Furnishings Stores Company Shares by Value 2004-2008

Table 93 Furniture and Furnishings Stores Brand Shares by Value 2005-2008

Table 94 Furniture and Furnishings Stores Brand Shares by Outlets 2005-2008

Table 95 Furniture and Furnishings Stores Brand Shares by Selling Space 2005-2008

Table 96 Furniture and Furnishings Stores Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2008-2013

Table 97 Furniture and Furnishings Stores Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2008-2013

DIY, HOME IMPROVEMENT AND GARDEN CENTRES IN SWEDEN

HEADLINES

OVERVIEW

SECTOR DATA

Table 98 DIY, Home Improvement and Garden Centres: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2003-2008

Table 99 DIY, Home Improvement and Garden Centres: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2003-2008

Table 100 DIY, Home Improvement and Garden Centres Company Shares by Value 2004-2008

Table 101 DIY, Home Improvement and Garden Centres Brand Shares by Value 2005-2008

Table 102 DIY, Home Improvement and Garden Centres Brand Shares by Outlets 2005-2008

Table 103 DIY, Home Improvement and Garden Centres Brand Shares by Selling Space 2005-2008

Table 104 DIY, Home Improvement and Garden Centres Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2008-2013

Table 105 DIY, Home Improvement and Garden Centres Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2008-2013

ELECTRONICS AND APPLIANCE SPECIALIST RETAILERS IN SWEDEN

HEADLINES

OVERVIEW

SECTOR DATA

Table 106 Electronics and Appliance Specialist Retailers: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2003-2008

Table 107 Electronics and Appliance Specialist Retailers: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2003-2008

Table 108 Electronics and Appliance Specialist Retailers Company Shares by Value 2004-2008

Table 109 Electronics and Appliance Specialist Retailers Brand Shares by Value 2005-2008

Table 110 Electronics and Appliance Specialist Retailers Brand Shares by Outlets 2005-2008

Table 111 Electronics and Appliance Specialist Retailers Brand Shares by Selling Space 2005-2008

Table 112 Electronics and Appliance Specialist Retailers Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2008-2013

Table 113 Electronics and Appliance Specialist Retailers Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2008-2013

LEISURE AND PERSONAL GOODS SPECIALIST RETAILERS IN SWEDEN

HEADLINES

OVERVIEW

SECTOR DATA

Table 114 Leisure and Personal Goods Specialist Retailers: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2003-2008

Table 115 Leisure and Personal Goods Specialist Retailers: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2003-2008

Table 116 Leisure and Personal Goods Specialist Retailers Company Shares by Value 2004-2008

Table 117 Leisure and Personal Goods Specialist Retailers Brand Shares by Value 2005-2008

Table 118 Leisure and Personal Goods Specialist Retailers Brand Shares by Outlets 2005-2008

Table 119 Leisure and Personal Goods Specialist Retailers Brand Shares by Selling Space 2005-2008

Table 120 Leisure and Personal Goods Specialist Retailers Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2008-2013

Table 121 Leisure and Personal Goods Specialist Retailers Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2008-2013

VENDING IN SWEDEN

HEADLINES

TRENDS

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

PROSPECTS

SECTOR DATA

Table 122 Vending: Value 2003-2008

Table 123 Vending: % Value Growth 2003-2008

Table 124 Vending Company Shares by Value 2004-2008

Table 125 Vending Brand Shares by Value 2005-2008

Table 126 Vending Forecasts: Value 2008-2013

Table 127 Vending Forecasts: % Value Growth 2008-2013

HOMESHOPPING IN SWEDEN

HEADLINES

TRENDS

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

PROSPECTS

SECTOR DATA

Table 128 Homeshopping: Value 2003-2008

Table 129 Homeshopping: % Value Growth 2003-2008

Table 130 Homeshopping Company Shares by Value 2004-2008

Table 131 Homeshopping Brand Shares by Value 2005-2008

Table 132 Homeshopping Forecasts: Value 2008-2013

Table 133 Homeshopping Forecasts: % Value Growth 2008-2013

INTERNET RETAILING IN SWEDEN

HEADLINES

TRENDS

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

PROSPECTS

SECTOR DATA

Table 134 Internet Retailing: Value 2003-2008

Table 135 Internet Retailing: % Value Growth 2003-2008

Table 136 Internet Retailing Company Shares by Value 2004-2008

Table 137 Internet Retailing Brand Shares by Value 2005-2008

Table 138 Internet Retailing Forecasts: Value 2008-2013

Table 139 Internet Retailing Forecasts: % Value Growth 2008-2013

DIRECT SELLING IN SWEDEN

HEADLINES

TRENDS

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

PROSPECTS

SECTOR DATA

Table 140 Direct Selling: Value 2003-2008

Table 141 Direct Selling: % Value Growth 2003-2008

Table 142 Direct Selling Company Shares by Value 2004-2008

Table 143 Direct Selling Brand Shares by Value 2005-2008

Table 144 Direct Selling Forecasts: Value 2008-2013

Table 145 Direct Selling Forecasts: % Value Growth 2008-2013