Confidence in the future of retail trade is at historically high levels in Sweden despite a slight recent decline, new data from retail and wholesale trade organisation Svensk Handel has revealed.
Confidence in the future of retail trade, as of the month of August, fell by 1.5 units to 106.4, reflecting an increase of just over 20 units compared to the same period last year, with future expectations well above the so-called neutral level of 100.
In the non-durable goods trade, the index recorded its second-highest level in several years, data showed.
The lifting of restrictions and an increased degree of vaccination saw more customers returning to stores.
CEO of Svensk Handel, Karin Johansson, added, "Many retailers testify to good summer sales with an increased flow of customers in the stores. If the entire population is vaccinated and we can slow down the spread of infection, the retail trade will experience a strong autumn."
E-Commerce And Wholesale
Confidence in the future of e-commerce increased by 2.5 units in August to 111.4 after a fall back in the summer months.
Sales expectations among e-retailers increased by 3.9 points to 119.8 during the month.
Johansson stated, "E-commerce can hardly maintain the same growth rate as during the pandemic's first year, but the digital transition will undoubtedly continue. We see how many older people have embraced e-commerce during the pandemic and they will continue to choose home deliveries."
Read More: E-Commerce Could Account For 40% Of All Retail Trade In Sweden By 2030: Study
The future indicator for wholesale dropped by 5.2 units to 104.1 this month, despite witnessing recovery and significant positive trends during the summer months.
Sales expectations in the sector decreased by 5.6 points to 111.4, data showed.
For just over six months now, the trade barometer has been measuring future expectations in wholesale trade, a sub-industry that has also been hit hard by the pandemic.
