Systembolaget, the Swedish alcohol monopoly, is a company (owned by the state) and not a government agency. Naturally, Systembolaget aims to generate a profit (which they used to claim was not the case), and since it holds a monopoly, this is easier for them than for other companies. Otherwise, competition is a good tool for price pressure and efficiency.
The financial report for 2024 shows that Systembolaget’s profit for the year amounted to 331 million SEK (29 million EUR) (although, with a certain delicacy, the report refers to it as “result” rather than profit). This represents a 24% decrease compared to 2023, when the profit was 434 million SEK (38 M EUR). However, revenue increased by 3.2%, reaching 39.4 billion SEK (3.5 bn EUR).
The decline in profit is reportedly due to a “shift in the mix” and “higher development costs.” (Unclear what that stands for.) Despite increasing competition from, among others, online wine retailers, the state-owned alcohol stores appear to be doing well.
Sales volume grew by 1.1%, and the number of customers increased by 0.9%—in other words, they had more customers in 2024, and on average, a customer bought a bigger basket than in 2023.
So, despite Systembolaget’s mission to reduce alcohol consumption, sales continue to rise.
It is reported that 70% of Swedes’ total alcohol consumption comes from Systembolaget, the rest from alternative sources.
