Grocery Stores in Sweden

Swedish grocery stores are like any other grocery store (in the USA). They have a certain layout, that you need to learn, and then you shop.

The main grocery stores are Willy’s, ICA, and Coop. Willy’s is generally always a big store, while ICA’s and Coops tend to vary in size.

However there are a few nuances:

1) Swedes don’t believe in late night snacking.

2) You need to make sure to bring 5 kr if you want to use a grocery cart.

3) Food, like vegetables, meat, and candy can be expensive.

$5.52

3 for $2.61

$2.90

$2.76 per kilo

Airport bananas are even worse:

$1.16 for one banana or one apple! (It’s a deal to pay $2.61 for 3 bananas)!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Don’t get me started on the price of American products found in Sweden:

$2.18

4) Dairy products aren’t hidden behind a closed door (even though the areas are cooled and Swedes insanely care about the environment).

5) Everyone puts their groceries in an orderly line (preferably with the barcode in the right direction so the cashier can swipe them faster).

5B) They even line up nicely before you put them in a bag (BTW: grocery bags aren’t free in Sweden, so bring your own or be prepared to buy some)

6) Swedish cashiers will (nearly) always greet you with a Swedish “hej hej”.

7) Fat cashiers need not apply.

8) But they’re not complete savages: they do let them sit.

9) Carts are glued to the escalators.

No hands needed.

Swedish grocery stores aren’t exactly the same.