Sweden has several large grocery chains that operate various sizes of stores, from big supermarkets to next-door small stories. ICA, Willys, Coop, Hemshp, Lidl, and City Grossen are the usual ones. There are also small ones such as Pressbyran, 7-Eleven, and the Livs stores. Very large American-style shopping is also coming in Sweden with Costco opening its first store near Stockholm. (READ: Indian grocery shopping)
While most of them offer both in-store and online shopping, one like mathem.se is completely online. All have membership cards that gather points and offer discounts. In the last year, inflation has increased food prices everywhere, so every little savings matter.
Main stores:
ICA – This is one of the most common types of stores with the retail chain having over 1,200 stores. ICA Maxi is the largest variety of stores. ICA Kvantum is smaller than Maxi, and the ICA Nara is the smallest one. Prices go up as the size of the stores decreases. If you are on a budget, look for ICA-branded foods – they are usually cheaper than other brands and are of good quality.
Coop – If you prefer organic food, this is the place you need to be. While it is costlier than other supermarkets, they sell the freshest, locally produced fruits and vegetables, alongside imported ones. They also come in three sizes: Stora Coop (largest), Coop, and Lilla Coop (smallest). The largest ones are usually located outside the main city, and the smaller ones are in your neighborhood. The more convenient the location, the higher the price.
Willys – Coming in just one size, it is one of the most popular places to do your grocery shopping. According to one report , Willys along with Lidl offers the cheapest option to fill your monthly grocery. They offer a wide range of groceries and fresh produce in all their shops.
Lidl – Part of a German retail chain, Lidl offers a big variety. However many of their products are Lidl-branded and you might not get your desired brand of a certain product. It is also less organized than the other ones and mostly designed to attract budget shoppers.
Hemköp – This grocery chain comes from Axfood, sharing the same parent with Willys. They claim to offer a more exclusive offering of products. Sometimes they run campaigns on products making them cheaper than other stores.
City Gross – They operate over 40 large stores and offer a large selection of groceries, kitchen tools, and even clothes. They usually have a large section for different varieties of cheese. There is also a section where one can get an assortment of products ranging from pencils to buckets.
Farmer’s markets: There are several farmer’s markets spread all around Sweden where farmers bring their fresh produce and meat to sell directly to customers. The one at Hötorgshallen is the most famous where one can get seasonal fruits to a variety of meat. It is spread on the street level and underground.
Similarly, Uppsala has Vaksala Torg, Gothenburg has Saluhall, Malmo has Malmo Farmers Market, Umea has Umea Farmers Market and Lund has Södra Esplanaden.
Another vegetable market springs up outside Skarholmen metro station during summer and spring. It offers a lot of options at a fraction of the price of grocery shops. For reference, Apple which costs 30 SEK per kg in a grocery store, costs half the price in that market.
very good website all information is available.👍
The prices here is Sweden vary from outlet to outlet and depends on Store franchise.
The concept of MRP unlike India does not exist. Hence from personal experience, and is what i do, i will jot down.
Food Items (Non Indian)
1. Lidl , Willys
2. Hemköp (for refilling)
3. Matvarlden
For Vegetables:
1.Local Farmer market, they put up tents in almost all the area based Centrums
For Toileteries
1.Ööb