Sweden’s retailers are now more optimistic about their future profitability, according to the April Business Outlook Survey, produced by Svensk Handel, the Swedish trade federation.
Future indicators rose by 3.5% according to the survey, with Karin Johansson, chief executive of Svensk Handel saying that it was “gratifyng” to see traders optimism rising, “even though many traditional business models are being fundamentally changed” by the rise of digitisation in the sector.
Sales Expectations
Expectations for future sales growth remains at ‘high levels’, with optimism highest among supermarket operators, the group found. Merchants are ‘looking forward to the upcoming summer sales’, it added.
“Summer is around the corner and it gives energy and optimism to the industry,” said Johansson.
“Before we rest on our laurels, we should, however, spare a thought that we are in the midst of an economic boom, in which consumption is also driven by low interest rates.”
Svensk Handel represents small and large companies in the retail, wholesale and import sectors. The sector accounts for more than a tenth of the country’s GDP, and employs around 300,000 people.
© 2017 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Stephen Wynne-Jones. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine.
