Swedes protest soaring grocery costs with nationwide boycott
In Sweden, rising prices have led customers to begin a week-long boycott of the largest grocery store chains on Monday. In response, the Stockholm government has called the heads of these trading companies to discuss the boycott.
The campaign organizers, including private individuals and influencers, aim to pressure the three largest Swedish companies — Ica, Coop, and Axfood (which includes Hemköp stores) — to lower food prices.
According to the research firm Matpriskollen, the cost of grocery shopping rose in February at the fastest rate in two years. Prices for many products were more than 20 percent higher than in January. The most significant increases were seen in dairy and chocolate products.
Robbery of Swedes
The opposition has shown support for the boycott. Nooshi Dadgostar, the leader of the Left Party, described the price hikes as "robbery." At the same time, Magdalena Andersson, head of the Social Democrats, urged the centre-right government to take immediate action.
Finance Minister Elisabeth Svantesson and Agriculture Minister Peter Kullgren will meet later this week with the heads of the largest grocery store chains. According to an announcement, "The goal is to collaborate on achieving lower prices."
Too little competition and global situation
Statistics reported by the newspaper Aftonbladet indicate that Ica, Coop, and Axfood, which own most of Sweden's stores, improved their financial performance from 2019 to 2024 despite the COVID-19 pandemic and inflation. In 2024, the Swedish Consumer Agency determined that there is insufficient competition in the market.
Representatives of the organization Svensk Dagligvaruhandel, which comprises the largest retail chains, argue that the boycott targets the wrong groups. They assert that food producers' challenges and the uncertain global situation influence prices.
The extent of customer participation in the protest is unclear. According to a non-representative online survey conducted by DealGuru, a company offering discount coupons, 69 percent of respondents indicated they would participate in the action.
