According to the industry organization Svensk Dagligvaruhandel's Grocery Index for May 2026, e-commerce increased by a total of 6.3 percent. The development online is primarily driven by e-commerce with home delivery, which recorded an increase of 8.2 percent. At the same time, e-commerce with pickup in store showed a growth of 3.9 percent. E-commerce's total share of grocery sales amounted to 4.2 percent during the month. For comparison, physical store sales increased by 4.4 percent during the same period.
The sales development in May was affected by a negative calendar effect of -1.8 percent. This is mainly explained by the fact that Ascension Day fell earlier than last year and that May Day fell on a Friday. Adjusted for this effect, the total sales development landed at 6.2 percent.
Lowest Inflation Rate in the EU
In a broader context, a decline in food inflation is reported, which according to Statistics Sweden's Consumer Price Index amounted to -6.2 percent in May. Prices fell by 0.4 percent between April and May. Karin Brynell, CEO of Svensk Dagligvaruhandel, points to the effects of the halved food VAT but warns of underlying costs.
Grocery sales developed positively in May, while households now benefit from low food inflation. At the same time, it is too early to state that the cost pressure is gone. It is worrying, among other things, to see that fuel prices have increased by almost 27 percent compared to last year, which may affect the cost development in the food chain in the future, says Karin Brynell.
From a European perspective, Swedish food prices have fallen noticeably, and Sweden now ranks among the countries in the EU with the lowest inflation rate for food and non-alcoholic beverages.
Food inflation in Sweden has not been uniquely high, but has been in line with the rest of Europe. After the VAT reduction, we are now seeing a clear shift, where Swedish food prices have fallen significantly and inflation on food is significantly lower than the European average, concludes Karin Brynell.
The next report, relating to the sales development for June 2026, is preliminarily scheduled to be published on July 10th.