Swedish design opens up a new dimension of modern style - the aesthetics of functionality and comfort. For many travelers, shopping in Sweden becomes a source of bright ideas for decorating their favorite home.
The independent designer stores nestled in the old neighborhoods of Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Malmö promote unconventional concepts for organizing living space that break the oppression of routine and monotony.
Home Decorations: Beautiful Living the Swedish Way
Swedish furniture is not limited to the IKEA range, but bringing a set across the border is too troublesome and expensive, so textiles, tableware, lamps, glass, porcelain, crystal, and antiques are brought from Sweden. From famous cheese carvings to exclusive hand-woven rugs, Stockholm's Designtorget has a home furnishing range to suit all tastes!
Göteborg's Nada shopping district is a real treat for retro fans. Original French vintage awaits in the cozy Miss Ragtime store, while Beyond Retro showcases vintage items from the USA and Canada. If vintage is too expensive, check out Rifatto, where you'll find a wide selection of contemporary pieces brilliantly styled to look like vintage.
Rarities hunters are well known for Aågers Antique&Design and the Formargruppen artists' cooperative's art showroom on Lilla Torg in Malmö. Here you can pick up stylish decorative objects and original works of art that will emphasize the individuality of your home and enhance the intriguing sense of family history in the interior.
Swedish Onions: Simple but Flavorful
Fashionable youngsters won't go to waste on a shopping trip to Sweden, either: the latest collections from Swedish brands embody the golden fund of smart-casual style at Acne, Fifth Avenue, Sivletto, Our Legacy, Whyred, and The Local Firm. And for stylish sports and streetwear, head to Sneakersnstuff, where Adidas, Puma, Nike, Converse, and Lacoste are joined by limited-edition designer collections.
Multi-brand stores in Stockholm include the fashionable department stores PUB on Hötorget, Åhléns City, and NK on the pedestrian street Drottninggatan. New products from H&M, Weekday, Odd Molly, Filippa K, WESC, J.Lindeberg, and Hope look very tempting in the windows, but don't give in to the immediate impulse and wait for the seasonal discounts of 30-70%. There are three peak sale seasons in Sweden: December-January in winter, Easter in spring, and June-July in summer.
Swedish Onions: Simple but Flavorful
Fashionable youngsters won't go to waste on a shopping trip to Sweden, either: the latest collections from Swedish brands embody the golden fund of smart-casual style at Acne, Fifth Avenue, Sivletto, Our Legacy, Whyred, and The Local Firm. And for stylish sports and streetwear, head to Sneakersnstuff, where Adidas, Puma, Nike, Converse, and Lacoste are joined by limited-edition designer collections.
Multi-brand stores in Stockholm include the fashionable department stores PUB on Hötorget, Åhléns City, and NK on the pedestrian street Drottninggatan. New products from H&M, Weekday, Odd Molly, Filippa K, WESC, J.Lindeberg, and Hope look very tempting in the windows, but don't give in to the immediate impulse and wait for the seasonal discounts of 30-70%. There are three peak sale seasons in Sweden: December-January in winter, Easter in spring, and June-July in summer.
Fans of eco-brands can take their breath away in Gothenburg by browsing the new arrivals at Monki and Nudie, which specialize in natural cotton clothing. Also worth a visit is Myrorna, a designer recycled goods store that not only offers stylish designer clothes and accessories but also fun souvenirs made from glass, wood, and porcelain.
Göteborg is a great place to pick up a bargain from the Nordstan department store and enjoy a stroll around the historic Kronhusbodarna shopping square. In addition to boutiques and outlet stores, the 17th-century stone buildings, which are linked by galleries, are home to craft shops, a patisserie, and even a glass factory.
Giftware.
Swedes' massive fascination with handicrafts keeps the demand for souvenirs, handicrafts, and other cute trinkets strong. Christmas fairs, festivals, and street sales in Sweden are not without designer jewelry, figurines, toys, textiles, ceramics, and other decorative items.
Tourists are well known for the Sami crafts store Viktoriapassagen and Liebling gift store in Malmö, the watch, pottery, and jewelry workshops of Kronhusbodarna shopping square in Gothenburg, the crafts rows of Gamla Stana and the Panduro handicraft store in Stockholm. Few people return from a trip to Gotland without a skein of selected sheep's wool, and Dalarna and Blekinge bring back painted Dalecarli skates covered in traditional ornaments.
When to go shopping?
Shopping in Sweden is best done on weekdays. Monday through Friday, stores open at 9:30-10:00 a.m. and are open until 17:00-18:00. At weekends and on holidays, medium-sized retail outlets are either closed or working on a reduced schedule: from 11:00-12:00 to 16:00. The only exception is grocery stores, open daily from 9:00 to 20:00.
