Why Sweden?
- Sweden welcomes international store concepts
- Natural first entry base for expansion in Scandinavia and Northern Europe
- Attractive retail space available
- Strong purchasing power
- An ideal test market - trend sensitive and homogenous consumers
- Excellent E-commerce opportunities with good technology infrastructure
Continued growth in retail sales
The Swedish retail sector is one of the strongest in Europe in terms of growth, fuelled by steady population growth and rising disposable incomes. The retail industry - the largest in Scandinavia - has shown a positive growth for fourteen consecutive years.
The development has been particularly strong in out-of-town shopping centers - retail destinations that are particularly keen to introduce new store concepts. Other retail concepts experiencing growth are franchising, e-shopping and cross border shopping along the national borders with Denmark, Finland and Norway.
Strong international presence
Some 120 foreign retail chains are currently present in Sweden, the majority originating in Denmark, Norway, Germany and the UK. More than 30 percent of the foreign retailers have at least 20 outlets in Sweden.
Increasing online sales
E-commerce increased by 15 percent during 2008 and sales has increased fourfold within five years and is expected to continue to grow. Books, home electronics and clothes have had the greatest successes online.
Good supply of retail space
Extensive retail space is available, due to on-going and planned expansion of retail parks as well as a number of city center renewal projects. Out-of-town shopping centers account for a third of annual retail sales. Property owners and developers welcome international concepts, as they serve to differentiate their retail offering.