Whether you like it or not, there is one thing you have to do everyday. Eat. In order to do this, you’ll need to go somewhere. Supermarket. If you are new to Sweden, you might wonder how is it. How much is it similar or different to your nearest supermarket. Well I can’t say for everybody, but here are some traits that I felt with them and some tips regarding grocery shopping!
<Some traits about Swedish supermarkets>
📍Options
Vegans good news! most of the supermarkets had vegan section so don’t worry about going back and forth across sections. Gluten intolerants, there’s also gluten free section mostly. Lactose intolerants, lactose free options are common here don’t worry😃
📍Large dairy section
There are a loooot of dairy related products, with different fat-ratio milk, yogurt, every sorts of cheese cottage cheese to grana padano. Big steps are needed to stroll through dairy section.
📍Long opening hours
As Sweden was known for good quality of work life balance, I thought supermarkets are closed around 6pm. But it turns out it opens til late! Around 10pm was the average closing time. It’s awesome!
📍Huge candy section.
You can see a huge candy section wherever you go. Candy sections are really huge in Sweden. There are sections where you can scoop candies of your choice, weigh them and get your own candy bag!
Other traits about Swedish supermarkets is about drinks. Sweden has really big market for energy drinks. It was remarkable to see one aisle is full of energy drinks. Celcius, Noco, Red bull etc.. Oh make sure you bring your ID to get energy drinks! It’s for over 15 years old.
<4 major supermarkets in Sweden>
Mainly there are 4 major supermarkets in Sweden(Well at least in Lund). Coop, ICA, willys, Lidl. I’ll explain some pros and cons of each supermarket. Please note this is based on my personal experience.
Coop
pros They have ready made corner, such as sandwiches, salads and so on. Some of them have time sales that are close to expiration date
cons: Some products are known to be a little pricey.
ICA
pros: Veggies are fresh!
cons: Memberships are only made for ones with Swedish personal number.
Willys
pros: Their private labels(Eldorado) are pretty cheap. Also they have salad bars where you can make your own salad.
cons: The ones in city are pricey, and check the status of veggies carefully
Lidl
pros: Most of their products are labeled in English. Perfect for your first grocery shopping in Sweden!
cons: Less variety of products.
<Supermarket I went the most>
How did I choose which supermarket to go? Very simple. The nearest. Even some traits of other supermarkets are very appealing, it’s the place I had to go at least once a week. Couldn’t resist the convenience. Imagine riding a bicycle or walking with heavy bags, sometimes facing icy snowflakes shoes stuck in wetty snows. Where would ya go?
<Saving tips>
For those looking to save money while grocery shopping in Sweden, signing up for a membership at your preferred supermarket can be a smart move. These memberships often come with substantial discounts that can add up to significant savings over time. Many supermarkets offer weekly specials exclusively for members, allowing you to take advantage of additional discounts on top of already competitive prices. Whether it’s a percentage off your total bill or special pricing on select items, these membership perks can make a noticeable difference in your grocery budget. By staying informed about ongoing promotions and utilizing your membership benefits wisely, you can maximize your savings and make the most out of your shopping experience in Swedish supermarkets.
Hope this was helpful for getting the hang of how Swedish supermarkets are, and traits of each supermarket. Of course all the supermarket wouldn’t be the same as I went. Please just regard it as an experience of just one human being. WIsh you all the best!