SWEDEN: Systembolaget enjoying booming 2006

By just-drinks.com editorial team | 13 October 2006

Systembolaget has seen sales in the first nine months of this year rise across the board.

The Swedish alcohol retailing monopoly said yesterday (12 October) that sales between January and September were up in all drinks sectors. While strong beer sales rose by 9.8% on the corresponding period a year earlier at around 19m litres, cider and mixed drinks reported an increase of 8.9% to just over 14m litres.

Wine sales picked up by 5.6% year-on-year at 110m litres, although spirits were flat at 13.5m litres, a small rise of 0.4%.

Speaking to local press, Systembolaget's chief executive, Anitra Steen, credited the performance to an increase in household purchasing power and a slide in private imports by Swedes when travelling abroad.

Sectors: Beer & cider, Spirits, Wine