Sweden has a restrictive alcohol policy and has had a state-run alcohol retail monopoly since 1955. Credit: Mulevich via Shutterstock.

Sweden’s Supreme Court has delivered a groundbreaking verdict, granting a Danish online wine retailer the right to sell alcoholic beverages directly to Swedish households and businesses.

This decision has the potential to shake up the longstanding alcohol retail monopoly held by the Nordic state.

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For more than six decades, Sweden has maintained a strict alcohol policy, centered around a state-run alcohol retail monopoly established in 1955. Under this system, known as Systembolaget, the state has controlled the sale of alcoholic beverages in the country.

Despite joining the European Union in 1995, Sweden obtained an exemption from EU legislation on the free trade of goods, allowing the continuation of its alcohol retail monopoly.

Systembolaget’s lawsuit against Winefinder

Systembolaget, the state-run alcohol company operating 450 stores across Sweden, took legal action against Danish online retailer Winefinder and its Swedish parent company.

The lawsuit aimed to prevent Winefinder from selling and delivering alcohol directly to Swedish customers. However, in a landmark ruling, the Supreme Court overturned the lower court’s decision and sided with Winefinder.

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In its statement, the Swedish Supreme Court declared that the trading activities of Winefinder did not violate the country’s alcohol act. Instead, it viewed the retailer’s actions as a permissible form of private importation.

This verdict establishes an important precedent, challenging the prevailing alcohol retail monopoly upheld by Systembolaget.

Implications for the alcohol market

The Supreme Court’s decision is expected to significantly affect Sweden’s alcohol market. By allowing direct sales to Swedish households and businesses, the ruling opens the door for increased competition and consumer choice.

The precedent-setting nature of this verdict means that Systembolaget’s victory in the lower court cannot be overturned, solidifying the Danish online wine retailer’s ability to continue its operations.

As a key player in Sweden’s alcohol retail sector, Systembolaget has long aimed to regulate and limit alcohol sales. It enforces restricted opening hours and refrains from advertising alcoholic products or offering discounts.

However, with the Supreme Court’s ruling enabling direct sales from external retailers, Systembolaget may face new challenges in maintaining its dominant position in the market.