If there’s one thing you simply can’t avoid, no matter how hard you try to save on a student budget, it’s grocery shopping. And in Sweden (well, Stockholm — that’s where I’ve lived and studied), smart grocery shopping is practically a survival skill.
I’m not even being dramatic! Two people can write the same shopping list and end up spending wildly different amounts simply due to where they shop, how they plan, or what brands they pick.
If you’re a new student missing the taste of home or just trying to figure out how to shop smartly in Sweden, this post is for you. 😉
🛒 Grocery Store Rundown (My Take!)
On my first day in Sweden, I had zero idea of which grocery stores existed or which I should visit. I was living in a corridor room, and thankfully one of the other students pointed me to the nearest Lidl. That’s how it all began.
Since then, I’ve discovered that there are five main supermarket chains you’ll run into around the city:
- Lidl
- ICA
- Hemköp
- Willy:s
- Coop
As a student in Stockholm, I’ve shopped at all five depending on convenience, budget, and what I need. Here’s a breakdown to help you find what works best for you.
LIDL
Still my go-to for basics. Lidl is all about keeping prices low, so you’ll find a lot of unfamiliar brands. Does this ruin the quality? No! Most students I know shop here because it’s just so affordable.
They don’t offer many extra services (like fresh food counters or fancy in-store setups), but that’s part of how they keep prices down. From my personal observation, most students shop at Lidl because it is very accessible, and students love a good deal!
Lidl doesn’t have an online shop, but it does offer special discounts for students! Check its website or app for weekly offers. You can score some pretty solid deals with your Mecenat card.
Check out this blog post by Martyna to read more about student discounts in Stockholm and how to save some cash 💰
ICA
ICA is everywhere in Stockholm. It comes in different versions: ICA Nära (small), ICA Kvantum (medium), and ICA Maxi (big and cheaper, but usually outside the city centre).
At ICA, I always find brands I am a bit more familiar with, and they stock a wide range of options. You’ll find a good mix of foreign and premium brands here.
COOP
Coop is known for its eco-focus, with many organic options and great produce. If you’re looking to buy more eco-friendly foods, Coop might be your easy pick. They also offer recipe kits, which I think are really convenient if you’re not sure what to cook.
I love browsing their fruit and veg section, but I’ll be honest: prices here are usually a bit higher than other chains in Sweden.
HEMKÖP
Hemköp reminds me a lot of ICA in terms of what they stock, but my favourite thing about Hemköp is their lunch buffet! If you’re on campus or in town and need something quick but not too expensive, check out their hot food options. You can always get a good lunch from Hemkop without breaking the bank. 😉
Their online shop is also great, and if you choose early morning delivery, you can sometimes get a discount.
WILLY:S
Now that there’s a Willy:s near me, I do most of my shopping between Willy:s and Lidl. Willy’s has more variety than Lidl and still keeps prices very student-friendly. They also have self-service checkouts (thank you!) and a membership program where you get points and discounts.
🛒 If you only want to shop at one store, Willy:s is a safe bet.
📦 Can You Shop Online?
Yes, almost all of them offer online shopping now (except Lidl, unfortunately). You can either:
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Pick up your order from the store (often the cheaper option), or
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Have it delivered to your door (costs more, but super convenient during exam season).
In addition to the big chains, there are also online-only grocery services, which can help you save money or time:
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MatHem is a very popular choice if you want a wide selection and flexible delivery times. It’s a bit more premium, but super convenient.
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Matsmart – This one is amazing if you’re looking for discounts! They sell surplus, overstocked, or soon-to-expire food at much lower prices. It’s affordable and sustainable.
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Matspar is more of a price comparison site for online groceries. You can search for a product, and it shows you where it’s cheapest (across Willys, Coop, Hemköp, etc.).
Some students use one of these for monthly bulk orders (like pantry items), then shop in-store for fresh produce during the week.
I would like to use this heading to mention another interesting point about Sweden. Online pharmacies 💊 . Sweden has this great option of ordering stuff from the online pharmacy and getting it delivered to your doorstep with no extra charge.
Sites like Apotea.se, Apohem, Kronans Apotek, or Apotek Hjärtat also offer a good range of skin and hair products at very good prices. Just another little life hack for student life in Stockholm. 🙂
🍲 Where to Go When You Miss Home?
I remember my shock when I found out I could not just walk into any supermarket and buy plantain! 😂
But don’t worry, you can still have a taste of home, far away from home. Asian and Indian supermarkets are scattered well around now. Some of the ones I’ve visited or heard good things about include:
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Taj Mahal Store near KTH
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Kista Grossen at Kista Centrum
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Markets around Hötorget and Skärholmen
If you’re craving the spices, snacks, or ingredients from home — especially from Africa, India, or East Asia — you’ll find something. You just have to know where to look.
💡 Quick Tips for Smarter Grocery Shopping
- 📱 Google Translate is your best friend in the beginning. Most labels are in Swedish, but you’ll pick it up fast. Plus, take it as a good way to learn Swedish 😉
- 🛍️ Bring your own bag. Seriously. You’ll be charged for every plastic or paper bag at checkout.
- 📲 Download store apps (Willys, ICA, Coop, etc.) and check weekly deals. I know students who plan their meals based on what’s on sale and it actually saves a lot of money.
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📅 Budget tip: Most students spend between 1,500–3,000 SEK per month on groceries in 2025. Cooking at home and bringing a lunchbox to campus really helps. Check out our most recent Cost of Living posts to get an idea!
Final Thoughts
So yes, grocery shopping is one of those things we can’t avoid. But with a bit of planning, you can turn it into a budget-friendly routine that works for you.
If you’re new to Stockholm, don’t stress: you’ll find your way around your favourite stores soon. And if you ever spot plantains, let me know. 😂
Feel free to drop questions or let me (or Fernando!) know what else you’d like to read about as you prepare to move to Sweden.
Till the next post,
Oluchi
