Shopping in Sweden is an absolute pleasure. Swedish design and fashion is popular all across the world. Minimalism as a philosophy was born here. Visual aesthetic, form and function of Swedish design is renowned across the world.
Their designs have the charm of vintage and are also made of eco-friendly and sustainable materials as they are very conscious of climate change in Sweden.
From IKEA and H&M that one can find absolutely affordable products to the top luxury brands and available in the City for every budget and taste. There is no shortage of incredible range and variety in the city. There are also a lot of second hand stores, refurbishing stores and flea markets all across the city where you never know what you can find.
Here is a list of places for shopping, malls and galleries in Stockholm.
Drottninggatan, Stockholm’s Main Shopping Street
This is the main shopping street in Stockholm. Drottninggatan means “Queen’s Street”. It is named this way in honor of Queen Christina, a famous Swedish queen who ruled between 1632 and 1654. It is a long and mostly a pedestrian street.
It has many shops, restaurants, bars, and cafés. It is located on the northern side of the city and it goes from the Old Town to Observatory Park. In addition, the big shopping mall, Åhlens City, and T Centralen station are in the middle and this street is the most accessible from any part of the city. As soon as one get out of T-centralen on the northern side, Drottingatan starts exactly there.
NK Stores – Nordiska Kompaniet
The oldest shopping mall in Sweden. Steeped in tradition, NK is Stockholm’s most luxurious department store, established in 1915. Swedish and international fashion, cosmetics, jewelry, crystal, ceramics, design, fine foods and much more. It holds a legendary status in retail outlets. Having a store here is truly noteworthy. It is a landmark in the city and is definitely worth checking out.
It has some very prominent international brands on the top floor. The interior somewhat reminds one of Galeries Lafayette in Paris. Even members of the royal family shop here.
The store in Stockholm receives some twelve million visitors annually, with the figure for the store in Gothenburg being about three million and the total number of staff around 1,200. The trademark and the real estate properties in Gothenburg and Stockholm.
Åhlens
Åhlens City is a very big department store in the heart of Stockholm. Exactly above T-centralen. It has all the major brands in fashion, beauty, decor, design, and more. Prices are budget-friendly and reasonable hence it attracts large crowds or locals and tourists. There is even a huge grocery store in the basement for those headed home after work and can pick up a few things on the go.
MOOD Stockholm
One of the smaller malls int eh city, Mood Stockholm is quite unique. A vibrant neighborhood in the middle of Stockholm, a meeting spot destination for experiences with a focus on fashion, innovation, creativity and design. In the heart of MOOD District you find MOOD Stockholm, a shopping centre characterised by unique shops, restaurants, cafés and services.
In addition to shopping, Mood Stockholm has some very nice bars and restaurants. Its a great place to stop by for a drink or food any time in the day as it is so centrally located in the city.
Mall of Scandinavia
Westfield Mall of Scandinavia encompasses a vision of the future of retail in Sweden. It showcases spectacular architecture, unique interior design, exclusive brands and concepts, a full dining offer, an exceptional digital shopping experience, and the best of entertainment. It was named the 2016 Best International Shopping Centre by Retail & Leisure International magazine and was voted Stockholm’s Best Shopping Centre in 2015 by local annual surveyor Evimetrix.
Right next to the Friends Arena in Solna, it is the largest shopping centre in Stockholm, becoming the second largest in Scandinavia when it opened in 2015. There are few things about the complex that put it head and shoulders above most malls.
All of the big international chains like H&M and Zara are here, along with more than 20 restaurants and endless leisure facilities are here including a Tesla outlet.
There’s a bowling alley, crazy golf course and a 15-screen cinema including a record high 500 seating IMAX theatre.
Luxury Shopping at Biblioteksgatan
Biblioteksstan is the place to be in Stockholm if you have money to spend on high-end shopping and exclusive brands.
Stockholm’s most affluent shopping district is found in the pedestrianized downtown district named Bibliotekstan. In the blocks surrounding Biblioteksgatan, between the squares Stureplan and Norrmalmstorg, you will find international luxury brands Prada, Gucci, and Chanel alongside Swedish fashion labels like Acne Studios, Whyred, Byredo, and Hope.
Moreover, nearby are located many department stores, such as Nordiska Kompaniet, MOOD, and Sturegallerian. Sturegallerian in particular is perhaps Stockholm’s most glamorous shopping mall. It has top-end brands, restaurants, cafés, and even a small food hall.
Finally, just off Biblioteksgatan, there is Birger Jarlsgatan. This is an even more exclusive shopping street, with flagship stores of the likes of Prada, Gucci, and Louis Vuitton. Read more.
Stockholm Quality Outlet
Stockholm Quality Outlet center is a typical Swedish-style outlet shopping village in Barkarby just to the north of the capital of Sweden. Around 70 factory stores here sell mostly brand-name fashion, shoes and household wear at discounts ranging from 30 to 70%. Many Swedish and other Scandinavian brands are represented in own factory stores and include well-known brands such as Bergans, Björn Borg, Ecco, Haglöfs, Hunkemöller, Peak Performance, and Samsøe & Samsøe. Stockholm Quality Outlet factory stores mall is around a 20 minute drive from central Stockholm.
Sodermalm
Other than bigger shopping districts, the city is full of independent brand stores. Stockholm is a fantastic place for shopping, and many of them are located in the trendy Södermalm boroughs. Södermalm-native, there’s seldom any need to travel outside of the district. There’s everything I need here, from shops for everyday necessities to design and fashion shops.
Sodermalm island has some unique designer stores where one can definitely find things that are one of a kind.
Second Hand Stores
Moving to a new country is expensive. Even if you have had a company sponsor your relocation, you probably did not take all your belongings with you and now need to buy things for your new home. A great option to not only save money AND the environment, but also find some unique treasures, is to visit some second hand shops in Stockholm or search second hand platforms online.
Stockholm has a lot of these and one can find some very cool things for amazing prices. Here is a list of a few one must visit.
Arkivet
I love this store. It’s not one of those typical second-hand stores with funky smells and too-old or vintage pieces.
Clothings in this store are no older than 2-3 years, and they are big brands and designer labels. With that being said, prices are slightly higher, especially compared to other second-hand stores – BUT, you can still find major bargains here. I got myself a blouse for a third of the original retail price, and I wear it every other day.
Humana
Another popular chain I’ve came across is Humana. Humana has stores all over Stockholm and in other countries, Germany being one of them. They are focused on only selling clothes, and prices can be a little steep – although not as expensive as say, new clothes from fast-fashion stores. I like it mainly because it’s a place where I can find random trendy pieces in really good condition.
Myrorna
This store has it all! You name it, you’ll get it. From glasses, to tableware, pieces of furniture (depending on the location) art, music records and obviously, a ton of clothes.
Just a heads up if you’re thinking of going, Myrorna smells like the typical second-hand store. I have found a bargain here once, a smart-looking wool blazer that I fancy wearing as an outer coat on warmer fall days.
Emmaus
Similar to Myrorna, Emmaus is like a small warehouse. Here you will find all kinds of books, children’s toys, weird-looking cups, gadgets and not to mention, an assortment of clothes. Prices are lower compared to the above mentioned stores and you will also be able to find clothes from a variety of different brands. I personally think they have a quite a cool collection of shoes.
Stockholms Stadsmission
Out of all my favorites here, Stockholms Stadsmission is the most affordable option. You can easily find a warm knitted sweater here for less than 50 SEK. Too good to be true, but it sure is. One of my worn-to-death sweaters is from this store.
Apart from clothes, you can find sportswear, glasses, cups, games and almost everything your bargain heart is looking for.
