The total sales in the grocery trade increased by 4.3 percent in September compared to the same month of the previous year, according to Swedish Grocery Trade's latest Grocery Index. Calendar-adjusted, the sales increase during the month amounted to 4 percent.
E-commerce grew in September by 4.5 percent, while sales in physical stores increased by 4.2 percent. It is primarily home deliveries that drive the digital development with an increase of 6.3 percent during the month, while pick-up in store increased by 2.1 percent. E-commerce accounted for 4.6 percent of total grocery sales in September.
Already in August, home deliveries drove the growth of e-commerce in the grocery trade.
Clear Lead During the Third Quarter
Looking at the entire third quarter of 2026, the difference between the digital and physical sales channels becomes more prominent. During the quarter, the grocery trade showed a total growth of 4 percent, where in-store sales grew by 3.8 percent while e-commerce increased by 7.7 percent.
During the quarter as a whole, home deliveries increased by 10.4 percent, compared to an increase of 4.3 percent for pick-up in store. For the third quarter as a whole, e-commerce accounted for 4 percent.
Lower Food Prices and New Cost Risks
The price development in the grocery trade is still characterized by the previously halved food VAT. According to Statistics Sweden's Consumer Price Index, inflation for food and non-alcoholic beverages amounted to minus 6.6 percent in September compared to the corresponding month last year. Between August and September this year, prices fell by 0.8 percent.
The grocery trade developed steadily in September. Food prices are still lower than a year ago, but external factors will continue to affect prices both up and down. Right now, rising energy prices are in focus, which may affect costs throughout the food chain, says Karin Brynell, CEO of Swedish Grocery Trade.
In addition to energy costs, the industry organization points to how climate and weather-related factors in the production chain affect the conditions for trade.
We need to understand what risks exist further back in the food chain. Weather events in a growing region can have an impact on availability and prices even in Swedish stores. This is an important part of the conversation about how food prices can develop in the future, says Karin Brynell.