Annika Morina calls for boycott by ICA, Coop and Axfood

It is becoming increasingly expensive to buy food, shows Statistics Sweden's latest inflation figures. The increase in February was 3.9 percent at an annual rate – the highest in over one year. Contributing cause is severe price increases for, for example, dairy products, oils and coffee in the past year.

Although rising commodity prices are stated as the main explanation, it is the food dealers who get shot too much of the criticism. Opposition leaders Magdalena Andersson (S) and Nooshi Dadgostar (V) targets both the cape to the food giants and the lack of competition in the field as the Swedish Competition Authority Previously pointed out.

The government has now called representatives of major players in the food industry to discuss the rising prices. On the web, the dissatisfaction bubbles over the large food chains that Make billion wins At the same time as consumers find it difficult to get the money.

In the next week Swedes are expected to participate in a boycott of the big food chains ICA, Axfood and Coop. It all started with a Tiktok video by the promoter Annika Morina who got wide spread, and since then the ball has been rolling, she says.

– There has been a lot of resurrection and commitment.

She decided to start the boycott when she noticed that the price of tomato puree had increased by 50 percent in the store she traded in. It is only one in the amount of goods that have become much more expensive in recent years.

– I hope this creates a debate and that food prices are lowered. That the food chains realize that people have had enough. We go on our knees and eating food is a right – no luxury, says Annika Morina.

But the criticism is misguided And unfair, believes Karin Brynell, CEO of Swedish Grocery.

– This price development is not a Swedish phenomenon. You see the same pattern throughout Europe, she says.

Last fall, Statistics Sweden came with An analysis which showed that profitability in the food industry has become worse in recent years, despite the fact that food prices have increased sharply. During the first half of 2024, the operating margin for the grocery trade was 2.5 percent, which is lower than before the pandemic.

– It is evidence that you have not been able to charge prices that cover the cost increases, but you have had to lower their margins to fight for the poorer consumer, says Karin Brynell.

But both ICA and Axfood – which owns the low -price chain Willys – goes significantly better than average, according to DN's review.

Chains and individual traders made very big money in recent years. What do you say about the criticism that they should be able to do more?

– I think the criticism is based on the fact that you want to find a solution, because this is worrying for consumers and politicians. But the solution is not in the Swedish food chain. It is not possible for a company not to make any money at all, says Karin Brynell.

But do you understand that it sticks in the eyes of people that traders make billion wins?

– I have every understanding that consumers feel anxious and frustration that you want to direct somewhere. But in that case, we have been bad at explaining that it is not the profits in stores that make prices go up.

Annika Morina will primarily eat up what is in the pantry next week. For those who do not have enough layers at home, she calls for admission to independent stores.

– It's not about not being able to go shopping. These are the food giants you should not shop with, she says.

What do you think that the chains also have wages, rents and electricity bills to pay?

– We understand that, but they also take billion gains at the same time as people can hardly afford to eat. I don't buy that reasoning.

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