Swedes unite: Week-long grocery boycott targets price hikes
In Sweden, rising prices have prompted customers to begin a week-long boycott of the largest grocery store chains starting Monday. In response, the government in Stockholm has summoned the heads of trading companies for a discussion.
The campaign organizers, consisting of both private individuals and influencers, aim to pressure the three largest Swedish corporations—Ica, Coop, and Axfood (which includes Hemköp stores)—to lower food prices.
According to the research firm Matpriskollen, grocery shopping costs increased in February at the fastest rate in two years, with the prices of many products being over 20 percent higher compared to January. Dairy products and chocolate goods saw the steepest increases.
The robbery of Swedes
The opposition has voiced support for the boycott. The leader of the Left Party, Nooshi Dadgostar, described the price hikes as "robbery," while the head of the Social Democrats, Magdalena Andersson, urged the center-right government to take urgent action.
Later this week, Finance Minister Elisabeth Svantesson and Agriculture Minister Peter Kullgren are scheduled to meet with the heads of the largest grocery store chains. "The purpose of the talks is to create a dialogue, listen to the industry's assessment of the situation and work together for lower prices for food customers," stated the announcement.
Too little competition and global situation
Statistics collected by the newspaper "Aftonbladet" indicate that Ica, Coop, and Axfood, which own most of Sweden's stores, have improved their financial results from 2019 to 2024, despite the Covid-19 pandemic and inflation. In 2024, the Swedish Consumer Agency concluded that there is too little competition in the market.
Representatives of the organization Svensk Dagligvaruhandel, which comprises the largest retail chains, argue that the boycott is directed at the wrong target. They claim that prices are influenced by food producers' challenges and the uncertain global situation.
It is unclear how many customers will join the protest. According to a non-representative online survey conducted by DealGuru, which offers promotional coupons, 69 percent of respondents indicated they would participate in the action.
