ICA
ICA Maxi, ICA Kvantum, ICA Supermarket, ICA Nära
Basics:
ICA is the most common supermarket chain in Sweden – there are more than 12,000 stores country-wide. It’s also the brightest and friendliest of the large stores in terms of layout and lighting. It’s renowned for its friendly, helpful staff and comprehensive selection of goods. Many retail surveys have found it to be the least expensive store, too, although the Willy’s and Lidl chains may have something to say on that claim.
What shoppers say:
”It’s a great one-stop shop for food and groceries, clothing, home goods, electrical items, gifts, stationery and books. Oh, and has good cakes, too!”
”Offers a good range of clothing for adults and kids.”
”Broad and good value homeware section.”
”ICA Maxi has a large, high-quality delicatessen with an extensive variety of fresh fish.”
”Their year-round selection of fresh berries is the best. Good selection of global foods, too.”
Norrland Living score (out of 10): 9
COOP
Stora Coop Sörböle, Coop Erikslid, Stora Coop Norrböle
Basics:
Coop is, as the name suggests, a cooperative
organisation and likes to emphasise its connection to everyday people. In recent years, it has built a
reputation for offering more organic and eco-friendly produce than its competitors, a laudable endeavour, if one that means its prices are just a tad higher.
What shoppers say:
”Has a really easy to navigate store layout.”
”Reasonable homeware section with good deals.”
”Offers a really good value ready-to-be-cooked meal in a brown bag to go. Mine have been delicious.”
”Huge fresh fruit and vegetables section. Good on organic produce, too.”
”Members get discounts on holidays, train tickets, car hire, activities and attractions. Store member cards here are generally really worth having.”
”Spacious restaurant with pretty good dagens. You can sit and chat there for an hour or two.”
Norrland Living score (out of 10): 8
LIDL
City centre
Basics:
Lidl operates on a no frills, ”pile ’em high, sell ’em cheap” ethos, which is completely at odds with the mainstream Swedish supermarkets. Although this does mean that there isn’t quite the range offered at bigger stores (Lidl’s Skellefteå city centre store is quite small), it does mean there are often great bargains to be had.
What shoppers say:
”Late on a Friday I bought 12 delish croissants for 50kr.”
”The only place in town to buy proper rashers of bacon.”
”A great selection of European cheese.”
Norrland Living score (out of 10): 7
WILLYS
Solbacken, Anderstorp
Basics:
Willy’s offers a fascinating blend of the cheap and
cheerful and the exotic. Anyone looking for ingredients for any type of Asian or Balkan food need look no
further than Willy’s. Tinned essentials are also very cheap and there’s a terrific fruit and vegetables section.
What shoppers say:
”My go-to store – saves me so much money every week.”
”The lighting is depressing but the prices and selection on offer can’t be beat. Vegetable section is grand.”
”A brilliant resource if you want to cook Asian food.”
Norrland Living score (out of 10): 7
