In industry, the situation has deteriorated, while there are more bright spots in trade.
"Even if industrial companies believe in an improvement ahead, there are currently few signs that indicate a turnaround. Within the industry, one generally reviews its costs to maintain profitability. They therefore continue to adapt the workforce and reduce certain investments," writes the Swedish Central Banken in a press release.
In retail trade, an upturn can be seen in home electronics and home furnishings. But it is from low levels and small upward movements.
The halved VAT on food in 2026 is expected to lead to lower store prices for consumers. But companies that sell to other companies plan price increases to cover rising labor and material costs.
Representatives of 45 companies and trade organizations, with a total of around 240,000 employees, were interviewed in the survey. It was conducted on 23 September-3 October.
