The Systembolaget alcohol monopoly in Sweden has been given green light by the government to start a trial with home delivery of alcohol. There has been an intense debate in Swedish political circles on this issue for some time; not even the government coalition parties have been in agreement. Some say it would be a catastrophe for public health and others say that it is a natural evolution to improve customer service.
Critics say the main objective of home delivery from Systembolaget is to crush the budding competition in Sweden from wine web shops selling wine and alcohol directly to Swedish consumers, with home delivery, from a base in another EU country. That kind of cross border trade has been allowed, thanks to an EU free-market ruling, for some years and has started to take off recently.
Home delivery from Systembolaget will cost around 25 euro for an order of 6-12 bottles. A maximum of 96 bottles can be ordered in a single instance.
The trial will take place in six regions, yet to be designated, across the country.
