Skip to main content
Vallgatan - Frida Winter/Göteborg & Co

Retail

Gothenburg is one of the fastest growing regions in Europe and the leading hub for logistics and transport in Scandinavia. Here you can access a growing market of open-minded, early adopters with strong purchasing power. 

45 K

employees in retail

120 BN

annual retail sales (SEK)

1.4 m

people within 60 minutes

Gata med människor, handel och blommor

Retail guide 2023/24

This guide charts retail opportunities and provides facts and information about the Swedish market, consumers and key retail areas. It is designed for international retailers and professionals within the global retail industry.

Access the guide

Retail sales an important growth engine

Since the turn of the millennium, Gothenburg has been an important driver of growth in Sweden with a thriving business environment and an exciting urban transformation underway. Many of the development projects are in optimal city locations and commercial space is also being built in large volumes across the Gothenburg region. Sweden’s second city is attracting people and companies like never before. 

Retail sales are an important growth engine for the Gothenburg region. Uniqlo, Blue Tomato, Under Armour, Henri-Lloyd, Normal, Arket, Superdry, Sephora and Joe & the Juice are just a few of the global brands that have opened stores in the region over the passing years. Gothenburg is also the birthplace of fashion brands like Nudie Jeans, Monki, Elvine and Dr Denim, while major Swedish chains MQ Marqet, Lindex and KappAhl all have their headquarters in the city.

Read more about Uniqlo's establishment in Gothenburg

Read more about Blue Tomato's establishment in Gothenburg

To develop our business in Sweden, it was a natural step to open our third store in such a vibrant and dynamic city like Gothenburg. Gothenburg citizens are known for their freedom from prejudice and their innovative way of thinking - we believe this will fit in well with our LifeWear philosophy.
Nikolina Johnston, COO Scandinavia, Uniqlo Europe
1 ST

Sweden's best logistics location (Intelligent Logistik, 2023)

1 ST

Most sustainable destination (Global Destination Sustainability Index, 2021)

1 ST

Most sociable city (Hostel World, 2017)

An attractive shopping and tourism destination 

Gothenburg holds a strong position as an event city and the region is proactively working on drawing in even more visitors, for both business and leisure once the international travel returns. The mixture of small independent shops, international stores and large malls makes Gothenburg an attractive destination for shopping. Norwegians, Germans, Brits, Danes and Chinese people are usually the region's most frequent international visitors.   

Gothenburgers are very trend-sensitive and increasingly climate-conscious. Here we see significant business opportunities for retailers who have sustainability in their business concept.
Helen Bairu, investment advisor for retail at Business Region Göteborg

We are here to help

If you are considering, or are already in the process of, establishing or expanding in Gothenburg, we are here to help. From understanding the market and building your business case to connecting you with the right contacts, we can support you throughout the decision-making and establishment processes. Our services are tailored to your needs and are available free of charge and in full confidentiality. Contact us today!

Helen Bairu
Investment Advisor
Area of work: Establishment Investments Retail
Area of concern: Establish and invest

How we can help

We offer services to all companies interested to invest, establish or innovate in our region. Our tailor-made services are free of charge and in full confidentiality.