Shopping
Shopping in Värmland has many faces. Shopping in all its forms is now considered to be an important part of the hospitality industry. Shopping is an attraction, an experience, a pleasure. These are the needs which shops are perceiving ever more clearly and want to meet with the ranges of goods they offer.
Central Karlstad
The origin can be found on Stora torget in Karlstad, for example, which for three days a week becomes a marketplace where you can buy vegetables, flowers, fresh fish, clothes, handicrafts and all kinds of stuff worth both antique money and flea market money! The centre of Karlstad has large shopping centres over several floors. There are also shopping streets in all directions, where you'll find shops, cafés and restaurants. In summer, Karlstad has made a name for itself with all its pleasant pavement cafés, both in the town centre and at the Inner Harbour.
Bergvik Shopping Centre
As you approach Karlstad from the west, you'll see Bergvik Shopping Centre - and Ikea as well, not far from there. Bergvik Shopping Centre is one of the biggest of its kind in Sweden, with 60 shops and eleven cafés and restaurants. In 2010, sales records were broken here for the 29th year in a row. 8.6 million visitors spent SEK 2.2 billion.
Pleasant little town centres
The smaller towns in Värmland have little centres offering personal shops run by local owners. You can still find traditional teashops here.
Cross-border shopping
In 2010, a new sales record was set for cross-border shopping in Sweden, up 2 % compared with 2009. The Norwegians spent more than SEK 10.5 billion – and SEK 2.8 billion was spent on Värmland retail. The Norwegians' spending has generated around 1 100 jobs in Värmland in 2010. As well as smaller shops close to the border, there are two large shopping centres in Charlottenberg and Töcksfors. There are already plans for development here. Cross-border shopping offers potential for further growth.
Farm shops and handicrafts
Cultural and creative industries are growing. These often include small-scale food producers who often sell their products in direct connection with their farms. Farm shops and local handicrafts shops can be found all over Värmland. There are plenty of opportunities for success here for anyone wanting to turn a business concept into reality.
