Grocery retail sales increased by 1.8 percent in April compared to the same month last year, according to the latest Grocery Index from the industry organization Svensk Dagligvaruhandel.

E-commerce sales climbed 10.4 percent, while in-store sales grew by 1.4 percent. Home deliveries saw an 11.5 percent uptick.

Prices during the month were impacted by the reduction in VAT on food.

- Grocery sales continued to trend positively in April, despite being measured against a strong month last year. We also see that the halved food VAT has had a full impact. Prior to the VAT reduction, the grocery trade undertook extensive work to ensure the change reached consumers. The fact that food prices fell by 5.5 percent in April compared to March proves that this has occurred, says Karin Brynell, CEO of Svensk Dagligvaruhandel.