Sweden

Plant-based dairy, primarily oat-based, remained the most popular category in health and wellness dairy products and alternatives in Sweden in 2022. The category was notably boosted by the pandemic which led to consumers paying more attention to…

The lingering impact of the COVID-19 pandemic combined with the economic fallout from Russia's invasion of Ukraine led to skyrocketing unit prices as Sweden experienced spiralling rates of inflation. This led to a drop in disposable income which in…

Swedes love their snacks with high levels of per capita consumption for most categories but demand for healthier options remains comparatively quite low. Unlike most packaged food categories where consumers are opting for healthier alternatives of…

The shift from traditional or sugary alternatives, such as Coca-Cola and Pepsi, to low/no sugar variants, like Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, Coca-Cola Light, and Pepsi Max, is not a new trend, but it is the longest standing health trend in soft drinks. This…

Plant-based meat and seafood substitutes enjoyed strong growth in current value terms in 2022 with the category continuing to benefit from the rising number of vegan, vegetarian and flexitarian consumers in Sweden. Consumers are looking to eat…

Charge cards are increasingly viewed as a niche product in Sweden, accounting for just 1% of all transactions in 2023, and therefore recorded further decline in the year. In a development which started before the COVID-19 crisis, fewer and fewer…

Consumer credit suffered during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, when economic uncertainty saw the postponement of larger purchases. While gross lending surpassed pre-pandemic levels in 2022, consumers remained cautious, amid much uncertainty…

Gross lending in Sweden registered positive, yet slower growth in 2022, as the uncertain economic environment, exacerbated by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, led to a decline in consumer confidence. In August 2022, the annual inflation rate soared…

After the pandemic, there has been much pent-up demand for activities which were restricted, including going out and travelling abroad. Also, many Swedes managed to make significant savings during COVID-19 and have been able to spend more…

Debit cards remain the most popular type of financial card in Sweden in 2023 in terms of the number of cards in circulation, and current value and volume transactions. The popularity of debit cards is attributable to the high share of digital…

The two pandemic years boosted the use of financial cards in Sweden. While the use of cash in the country was already exceptionally low by global standards at the start of the review period, its role diminished further during the pandemic due to…

Pre-paid cards remain relatively strong in terms of the number of cards, but hold a very marginal share of all card payment transactions in 2023. Bank account penetration is almost universal in Sweden, with the result that pre-paid cards are…

Store cards are registering further decline in terms of both the number and value of transactions in 2023 as they are perceived to be old-fashioned, plus other financial card types and instruments offer greater flexibility. In contrast to credit…

Demand remained under pressure in many categories of cooking ingredients and meals in 2023 due to high inflation and rising unit prices. With the squeeze on Europe’s fuel and energy supplies resulting from the Ukraine conflict causing significant…

Edible oils registered negative volume growth during 2023 as high inflation and the normalisation of sales trends during the post-pandemic era contributed to a significant slowdown in demand. After very positive retail volume growth was recorded in…

Significant numbers of Swedish consumers continue to reach for ready meals when they need a convenient option for a quick meal or snack during their busy daily schedules. As the pace of life in Swedish cities continues to accelerate, busy urban…

Demand for sauces, dips and condiments fell over the course of 2023, the second consecutive year of retail volume sales declines in the category. The main reason for the lacklustre performance seen in the category during the year is the return to…

Sweet spreads registered static retail volume growth in 2023 as the category continued to experience a rebalancing of growth rates after the rollercoaster ride that volume sales were on earlier in the review period. Specifically, demand for sweet…

In 2023, baked goods in Sweden continues to exhibit normalising sales. After the pandemic, sales through foodservice took a hit, leading consumers to shift towards retail as they preferred dining at home. Additionally, unit prices have continued to…

In 2023, breakfast cereals have experienced normalising sales as the foodservice sector continues its recovery. However, retail sales have dropped back to pre-pandemic levels. Simultaneously, unit prices have seen an increase due to inflation and…