Swedish brands have greatly impacted the world, and it’s not surprising to see why. Scandinavia’s largest country has long been known for its openness to new ideas, allowing entrepreneurs to flourish.
Today, Sweden has a mixed economy; its capital, Stockholm, is a hub for several industries. You’ll find tech giants making moves in the movie streaming space, and who could forget about famed Swedish design?
The rest of the country also has clusters of innovative businesses making a name for themselves — both domestically and further afield. Southern Sweden has spawned several businesses, for example, and its close proximity to Denmark has undoubtedly resulted in an international mindset.
What are the most famous Swedish brands, then? We’re glad you asked. In this article, we’re going to discuss precisely that. So, if you’re ready to join us on this journey, let’s get started.
Spotify
Do you remember the days of Limewire and needing to convert songs from YouTube to mp3 if you didn’t want to use iTunes? Yeah, those days are long gone. And of all the companies we have to thank, Spotify is probably top of the list.
Spotify revolutionized how we listen to music, and you could put in a strong case for it being the most famous Swedish brand globally. The company was born in Stockholm, and today, you will still find its headquarters in the Swedish capital.
We can attribute Spotify’s success to several factors. The ability you have to discover new music and artists is second to none, and we also have to consider Stockholm’s prosperous technological landscape as playing a part.
Having established itself at the top of the music streaming game, Spotify has since evolved. It’s now a popular place for people to listen to podcasts, and you’ll find some — such as the Joe Rogan Experience — that are exclusive to the platform.
Daniel Ek created Spotify, and in the third quarter of 2022 alone, the company generated $3 billion in revenue. The company offers both free and paid membership services.
Klarna
Another example of Stockholm’s fertile tech scene is the financial services company Klarna, which specializes in “buy now, pay later” services. Klarna is a little older than Spotify; Spotify has been around since 2008, whereas Klarna was formed in 2005.
Like the music streaming giant, Klarna still has its head office in Stockholm.
Klarna is a popular payment method for many users, and it allows them to receive the goods they bought while having the opportunity to pay at a later date. The Klarna mobile app allows users to receive updates on the items they purchase, and you can also choose the timescale in which you’d like to pay.
The international influence of Klarna is unprecedented. The company has roughly 150 million active users globally, which is over 10 times the total population of Sweden. You can use the service in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Finland.
Further afield, Klarna is available in several other countries. You can use Klarna in the UK, and the company also has an office in London. Besides that, you’re able to pay with Klarna in Canada, the US, Germany, and several other nations.
Oatly
Sweden is one of the best places to live if you have a plant-based diet. Grocery stores have several options in this respect, and you will also be able to find vegetarian and vegan meals in many restaurants — especially in Stockholm.
One of the most popular plant-based companies you’ll find in Swedish supermarkets is Oatly, which — as the name suggests — primarily focuses on its flagship oat milk drink.
Oatly’s oat milk tastes very different from ordinary milk — and to be honest, we actually think it’s better. The drink tastes sweeter, but you don’t feel as bloated when you’ve consumed it.
You will find Oatly in several countries worldwide, including Sweden’s southern cousin Denmark. Other countries it’s available in include the UK, Australia, and France.
Oatly’s head office is in Malmö.
Lifesum
Despite consuming an unholy amount of cinnamon buns and candy, you won’t find too many Swedes that are out-of-shape. Moreover, the country has one of the world’s highest life expectancies.
We can attribute much of this to the lifestyle in Sweden, which prioritizes exercise and being out in nature — even during those dark winter months.
Unfortunately, many people struggle with maintaining their weight in a lot of Western countries. We can attribute this to several factors, including a lack of nutritional education from an early age and portion sizes that are much bigger than they should be.
While you will find a lot of bad advice and several products that aren’t so great in the fitness industry, a few are making a positive impact. Lifesum is one of those.
Lifesum is an app that lets you track your habits, add your food intake from a huge database, and scan barcodes for things you can’t find. Moreover, you can connect Lifesum with partnering apps — such as Runkeeper.
Lifesum’s head office is in Stockholm, and the app has over 55 million users worldwide. You can use the service in 11 languages; in addition to its Stockholm headquarters, Lifesum has another office in Los Angeles.
Volvo
Brands from Sweden have long made a significant impact on the world’s automotive industry. Volvo is one of those, and you will see cars made by this particular brand throughout Sweden — along with elsewhere.
Volvo is headquartered in Gothenburg and is one of the biggest employers on the Swedish west coast. The company was founded in April 1927 by Gustav Larson and Assar Gabrielsson; since then, it has become an important provider of vehicles for both private individuals and businesses.
In 2021, Volvo had over 95,000 employees across the globe. It generated over $40 billion in revenue during the same year.
IKEA
Let’s be honest for a moment — we couldn’t talk about famous Swedish brands without mentioning IKEA. If you’ve only heard of one interior design company from Sweden’s world-famous scene, it’s almost certainly this one.
IKEA is one of the world’s largest suppliers of flatpack furniture. The company was founded in 1943; it originates from the small town of Älmhult in Southern Sweden. Today, however, IKEA’s head office is in the picturesque Dutch town of Delft.
Ingvar Kamprad was the brain behind IKEA, and he ended up being one of the wealthiest individuals in Swedish history. He actually moved from Sweden to Switzerland for an extended period, living in the Central European country between 1976 and 2014.
Today, IKEA sells all kinds of furniture — including beds and sofas. You can also purchase several items for these, such as pillows. You will find IKEA stores in numerous countries, including the UK.
IKEA is also famous for its restaurants, which serve meals such as Swedish meatballs.
Ericsson
How many of you remember Sony Ericsson’s Walkman phone? We give the iPhone a lot of credit, but you could argue that this was the phone that really pushed forward the advancements we’ve seen in smartphone devices today.
Bluetooth, in particular, was a game-changer, and it made sending songs to your friends much easier.
While Sony Ericsson became defunct in April 2021, Ericsson and Sony are still big players in their respective fields — though Sony is a Japanese company rather than Swedish. What exactly does Ericsson do, then?
Today, Ericsson focuses on helping create infrastructures within the telecommunications sector. For example, it has played a key role in the development of 5G mobile networks. Ericsson works within several industries, including the airline sector and manufacturing.
Ericsson’s head office is in Kista, which is part of the Stockholm region. The company also has offices in Copenhagen, Tallinn, Düsseldorf, and several other cities across the globe.
Skanska
Skanska is one of the most important companies in the global construction industry. Having been around since 1887, it’s one of the most established Swedish businesses that have a worldwide presence.
Although Skanska was founded in the south of Sweden, the company has its headquarters in Stockholm today. However, it also operates in multiple other nations — with a significant presence in both the UK and the US.
Skanska’s name derives from “Skånska”, which is what you’d use to describe something from Skåne — Sweden’s southernmost province. The company has helped build some of the world’s most iconic buildings, including the Gherkin in London.
Skanska is also helping build a new version of New York City’s High Line in Copenhagen. On top of that, it helped renovate Stockholm’s main library and has contributed to the construction of several other buildings in the UK — plus Scandinavia and further afield.
Ramlösa
Swedish water is some of the purest on the globe, and one of the most popular brands you’ll see in Scandinavia is Ramlösa. You’ll find sparkling water in all kinds of flavors, including citrus. They’re fine for drinking on their own, and you can also mix them with spirits like gin.
Ramlösa is another brand originating from Southern Sweden. It derives its name from the Ramlösa region, which is part of the Helsingborg municipality.
The brand has experimented significantly in recent years, and you’ll find various drinks with even more unique flavors.
Kopparberg
Swedish cider has made significant moves across the world in recent years, and it’s known for its taste, which is often fresher than other ciders you’ll find. Kopparberg is the most famous example of Swedish cider, and it’s the brand that revolutionized the game in this respect locally.
Kopparberg’s cider story dates back to the 1990s. The company itself had actually been around for a while, but it was only toward the end of the 20th century that things started to really pick up.
Kopparberg is known for being sweeter than many other alcoholic beverages, making it a great choice if you don’t like beer. You can buy the drink in numerous countries, including the UK.
While it is popular in Sweden, it’s not as unanimously loved as you might think; nonetheless, you still shouldn’t have too many issues finding the drink.
The name Kopparberg originates from the town where the company was founded; it’s still based there today.
Tiger of Sweden
We haven’t yet mentioned fashion in our list of Swedish brands, but we couldn’t leave these companies out forever. Swedish fashion is renowned globally for its simplicity and elegance in equal measure. And if you want to see a prime example of that in action, look no further than Tiger of Sweden.
Tiger of Sweden is one of the most popular fashion brands in Scandinavia, and it dates back to 1903. It’s more of a luxury clothing manufacturer, and you will find it in several stores throughout Sweden.
Tiger of Sweden has a comprehensive menswear collection, and you’ll likely find something that fits your needs and wants if you’re a woman as well. You can purchase sneakers, jeans, jackets, and much more.
H&M
Another of the most popular brands from Sweden is H&M, which is the entry level when it comes to Scandinavian fashion. The company originates from Västerås, which is just outside of Stockholm, and you will find several stores throughout Sweden.
H&M specializes in affordable clothing, and you’ll find various items here. These include t-shirts, loungewear, and chinos. On top of that, you can find sweaters, socks, underwear, and much more.
In addition to Sweden, you will find H&M stores in several other countries. The company is prominent in the UK, for example, and you’ll also find the brand in the US and elsewhere. Moreover, its online presence is in multiple countries around the world.
H&M also has several stores that specialize in things for the house, such as room diffusers, pillows, and blankets.
Saab
If you haven’t heard of Volvo for some reason, Saab is another famous Swedish brand in the automotive industry. Saab’s main selling point was to produce reliable vehicles that excel in the aspect of safety, but its car manufacturing days are actually over.
During its days as a car manufacturer, the company operated this particular entity under Saab Automobile AB.
Saab Automobile became defunct in 2016, and Saab now focuses most of its attention on the aerospace sector. It’s doing pretty well for itself, too, generating billions of dollars in revenue.
Saab has over 18,000 employees globally; for part of its history, it operated as part of a joint partnership with Scania (another big name in Sweden’s automobile scene).
Haglöfs
It’s nigh-on impossible to live in Sweden and not want to be outdoorsy. Even if you live in Stockholm, beautiful nature is right on your doorstep. Of course, Sweden’s climate isn’t always ideal for a walk or hike — which is why you need high-quality outdoor clothing.
Haglöfs is one of the most famous Swedish brands when it comes to producing items for the great outdoors. The company makes rucksacks, jackets, and hiking pants, to name three.
Haglöfs also produces clothing that will keep you warm while skiing, along with numerous high-quality walking and hiking shoes.
In addition to making all kinds of outerwear, Haglöfs hosts experiences that you can pay for. One example is its ski tour that takes you right into the Arctic Circle.
Björn Borg
Björn Borg is one of the most famous Swedish athletes of all time, and he’s become well-known for his clothing line. Besides the standard boxing shorts, you will find a much wider selection of things to purchase with this particular brand.
You will find numerous sport-style jackets with Björn Borg, in addition to items that you can wear while playing paddle or tennis. Moreover, Björn Borg sells various swimming shorts.
Björn Borg has a wide selection of clothing for men and women, along with an extensive childrenswear collection.
Wasa
Swedish cuisine isn’t globally renowned, but some of the main items you’ll find here have also become more popular elsewhere. Crispbread is one of those, and Wasa is one of the most recognizable brands in this respect.
Wasa’s crispbread is versatile; you can use all kinds of toppings, from sandwich meat to something simple like cheese and tomatoes. On top of that, it’s high in fiber. You’ll find numerous kinds of Wasa crispbread, including a gluten-free option.
You’ll find Wasa crispbread in several Swedish grocery stores, and it’s also popular elsewhere in Scandinavia. Further afield, the company operates in the Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, and numerous other countries.
Scania
Scania is arguably the most famous name in the automotive space when talking about brands from Sweden. The company is a huge player in heavy-duty vehicles; like many brands we’ve mentioned, it originates from the south of Sweden (hence the name Scania).
Scania was founded in 1891, and the company originates from Malmö. Today, it’s headquartered just outside of Stockholm.
The company has over 50,000 employees, and it generated well over $5 billion in revenue in 2021. It operates in several countries, including Denmark, Spain, Saudi Arabia, and more.
AstraZeneca
Sweden has a well-developed healthcare system, but it’s probably not the first country that springs to mind when talking about pharmaceuticals. Nonetheless, AstraZeneca — a name you’ll almost certainly have heard of over the past few years — is part Swedish and part British.
AstraZeneca was founded in 1999, and today, its headquarters are in the English city of Cambridge. The company developed one of the main COVID-19 vaccines that were rolled out toward the backend of 2021 and over 2022.
In 2021, AstraZeneca generated over $37 billion in revenue. And in 2020, more than 70,000 people worked for the company.
Swish
Sweden is one of the most advanced societies on the globe, especially when it comes to cashlessness. You will almost never need physical cash in the country, and many places won’t accept it at all. Mobile payments are popular, and Swish is one of the most widespread choices.
Swish works in a similar way to MobilePay, which is used throughout Denmark and Finland. You can use the service to pay for items while out and about, and it’s also an easy way to send money to your friends and daily.
Swish has been around since 2012, and it has around eight million users in Sweden. Considering that around 10.4 million people live in the country altogether, you have to say that’s pretty impressive.
Fjällräven
We spoke about Haglöfs earlier in this article, but arguably the most famous Swedish outdoor brand is Fjällräven.
The company is primarily known for its Kånken backpack, which has taken the world by storm. It’s both durable and stylish, making it a great choice when buying school bags for your children.
Besides its range of backpacks, Fjällräven has an extensive range of outdoor clothing. You can purchase hiking trousers, jackets, baselayers, and scarves — plus much more.
Fjällräven is a relatively new company, having been founded in 1960. Its headquarters are in the city of Örnsköldsvik, which is in the midst of the iconic High Coast region.
Fjällräven stands for “the mountain fox” in Swedish. Today, the company is owned by Fenix Outdoor International — which is based in Switzerland.
Nudie Jeans
To round up our list of famous Swedish brands, we’ll discuss Nudie Jeans. The company is another of the most popular fashion brands in the country, and it has a significant global presence as well.
Nudie Jeans produces clothing that is sustainable, and you can take your jeans to one of its repair stores to get them fixed whenever you need to; this service is free of charge.
You will find Nudie Jeans stores in numerous Swedish cities, including Malmö and Stockholm. If you’re outside of Sweden, you can find numerous outlets that sell them; the company also offers shipping to several countries.
Sweden is a hotbed for innovation, and the environment is perfect for it
Swedish brands are popular both locally and internationally. The country is an ideal place for entrepreneurs to thrive, with a strong safety net, tech-savviness, and open-mindedness going hand-in-hand.
Stockholm is home to a cluster of companies, but you don’t necessarily need to live in the Swedish capital to work for one of these businesses.
Thanks to Sweden having high living standards and a mixed economy, the country has enjoyed a high level of success that only a few other nations on earth can match or beat. And in the coming years, you can expect more businesses to pop up from this part of the globe.
Another reason that Swedish companies have enjoyed international success is because of the Swedes’ high English proficiency. If you want to read more about that, you can here.
Scandification: Discovering Scandinavia.
