Sales in the Swedish grocery trade rose by 4.6 percent in August 2025 compared to the same month last year, despite the persistent effects of inflation on consumer prices. However, food and non-alcoholic beverages inflation during this period was 4.7 percent, essentially offsetting the nominal sales growth and resulting in a marginally negative sales volume development of -0.1 percent after price adjustment according to Svensk Dagligvaruhandel.
Key Figures and Observations
- Grocery trade sales (including in-store and e-commerce) increased 4.6 percent year-on-year in August.
- Inflation for food and non-alcoholic beverages was 4.7 percent over the same period, based on Statistics Sweden’s Consumer Price Index.
- The price-adjusted development, or real sales growth, for the sector was estimated at -0.1 percent.
- E-commerce sales rose by 5.2 percent, with both home delivery and in-store pickup showing growth.
- The monthly price change for food from July to August was negative, which largely reflects seasonal variations but may suggest easing inflationary pressure.
Market Context
- Although sales increased nominally due to higher prices, actual volumes sold were stable to slightly lower, indicating that consumer purchasing power remains under pressure from ongoing inflation.
- The slight month-to-month price drop in food may indicate the start of a reduction in inflationary momentum, providing a potentially positive signal for coming months.
Industry Insight
- According to Karin Brynell, CEO of Svensk Dagligvaruhandel, the headline sales increase does not translate into real growth once price rises are factored in; the volume of goods actually sold was essentially stable or slightly down.
- E-commerce’s share of grocery sales grew, and consumer routines appear to be normalizing after the summer, as indicated by the higher e-commerce activity compared to July.
Conclusion
Sweden’s grocery trade continues to see higher sales values driven by inflation rather than increased shopping volumes, with real (price-adjusted) sales slightly negative in August 2025. Recent trends hint at slower inflation going forward, but elevated price levels continue to weigh on real growth for Sweden’s food retailers.