Even as high interest rates and a dip in household demand affected the Nordic retail landscape last year, Sweden is still the largest market in the Nordics, with revenue soaring to EUR 11.44 billion (133 billion SEK) in 2023. With over seven million tech-savvy shoppers ready to click “buy,” this market offers huge potential for brands seeking growth. Are you looking to break into this resilient market? Explore key trends and customer expectations with our insights.
Exploring cross-border e-commerce opportunities in Sweden
The boundaries between domestic and foreign are fading
More and more Swedes embrace international e-shopping, and many now find it increasingly difficult to distinguish between domestic and international websites. This shift has seen a sharp rise in consumers who are indifferent to whether they’re shopping domestically or abroad.
Fashion and footwear continue to lead the way
Fashion and footwear are the top choices for Swedes when making cross-border purchases. In 2023, 64% of online shoppers purchased clothing and footwear from foreign websites, followed by sports, leisure, and hobby items (25%) and food and beverages (18%).
Why Swedish shoppers shop from abroad — and what holds them back?
Swedes buy from abroad for three reasons: lower prices (54%), wider product choices and access to brands unavailable locally (35%). Positive past experiences and low delivery costs also play a role.
However, key barriers like customs charges (51%), long delivery times (45%), and fraud concerns (40%) stop many from shopping abroad.
For brands looking to tap into this lucrative market, success hinges on competitive pricing and solving logistical challenges. With three of the top six barriers to cross-border shopping being logistics-related, streamlined shipping and returns experience are your secret weapons to stand out. Here’s where CIRRO E-Commerce steps in!
Don’t let cross-border shipping become your bottleneck
Effortless end-to-end shipping experience
We handle every aspect of your shipping journey—from first-mile pick-up and warehouse handling to transportation and last-mile delivery. Your products can reach Swedish customers from the Netherlands or Belgium in 2-3 days. With full tracking and dedicated customer support, we make your shipping process effortless.
Plus, our cost-effective solutions offer competitive rates that balance affordability and speed, helping retailers cut shipping costs.
Diversified last-mile options with leading carriers
As Swedish consumer preferences shift, the demand for convenience and security in deliveries is growing. While 45% of Swedes still prefer home delivery, 22% opt for parcel lockers as a secure and flexible alternative.
We’ve partnered with trusted last-mile carriers like DHL E-Commerce, PostNord, Instabee, and CityMail, offering a range of delivery options, including home delivery, mailbox delivery, and PUDO, tailored to fit every customer’s preferences.
Simplified domestic returns solutions
We streamline your returns process with our Local Returns Solution, supported by our 6,500 sqm logistics hub in Malmö, Sweden. Our service covers every aspect of returns, allowing e-commerce clients to offer a quicker, more efficient experience with local return labels.
We manage both undeliverable and customer returns on demand. For undeliverable items, we provide 21-day storage. Customer returns can be efficiently managed with quality checks, re-shelving, reverse shipping, and even destruction if necessary. Our solution ensures a smooth process and reduces operational burdens, enhancing customer satisfaction.
Real-world success: Albelli’s shipping experience with CIRRO E-Commerce
One of our happy clients, Albelli (part of the Storio Group), a leading online retailer of photo-related products in Europe, successfully enhanced the delivery experience for Swedish customers (known as Önskefoto in Sweden). With CIRRO E-Commerce’s shipping solutions, Albelli achieves 3-day end-to-end delivery to Sweden, maintaining a 97% on-time delivery rate, a streamlined and efficient process, and enhanced performance stability. Here’s what they had to say about their experience:
Ready to expand your brand in Sweden? Talk with CIRRO E-Commerce experts and make cross-border success a reality.
