Sweden’s retail sector returned to marginal growth at the start of 2026, with retail sales inching up 0.1% month-on-month in January. The latest figure, updated on 27 February 2026, marks a modest but notable improvement after a 0.7% decline recorded in December 2025.
The data, measured on a month-over-month basis, show that while the rebound is slight, it represents a stabilization in consumer activity following the year-end contraction. The “actual” January reading compares sales in January 2026 to December 2025, whereas the “previous” figure reflected the change in December 2025 relative to November 2025.
Although the pace of growth remains subdued, the shift from negative to slightly positive territory suggests that Swedish retailers may be seeing the first signs of recovering demand after a weak close to 2025.
