Systembolaget
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Systembolaget is the national alcoholic beverage retailing monopoly in Sweden. It is a government owned enterprise reporting to the Swedish Ministry of Health and Social Affairs. The current manager is an experienced civil servant Anitra Steen, (she's also the wife of Göran Persson). The first 'Systembolag' was introduced in 1850.
Systembolaget owns 420 retail stores and about 590 local agencies throughout Sweden, selling beer, wine and spirits. They are the only retailer in Sweden permitted to sell alcoholic beverages with more than 3.8% alcohol. The monopoly is part of the Swedish government's strategy to reduce the national alcohol consumption for public health reasons.
When Sweden joined the European Union in 1995 the commercial distribution and production monopoly for alcoholic beverages, operated by Vin & Sprit, was abolished. However the retailing monopoly has been retained. The products offered are under the supervision of the Swedish National Alcoholic Beverages Product Rangeboard.
An interesting aspect of the retail monopoly is that it does not practice premium pricing. For example, expensive wines frequently cost less in a Systembolaget store in Sweden than they do in the country of origin.
In 2003, the enterprise was engulfed by a corruption scandal involving dozens of staff and allegations that they had improperly accepted gifts from suppliers. There were further claims of theft and embezzlement by some managers.
See also: List of Swedish government enterprises
External links
- Systembolaget (http://www.systembolaget.se/) - Official sitesv:Systembolaget