Sustainable and collective supermarket
Polykultur is a community in the making. A group of ecology-minded Stockholmers who want our consumption to contribute to sustainable and just societies. That's why we're launching a unique supermarket.
It'll sell organic, seasonal, local, and fair products only. But what makes it truly special is its participatory aspect. Here, consumers co-owned and co-run the store.
That’s in complete contrast to today’s oligopolistic supermarkets, dominated by a handful of actors. In fact, just 3 corporations control about 90% of Swedish supermarkets. Not thirty. Three! That needs to change. By curating a collective pantry, we offer an alternative to those who are willing to put their money where their mouth is and get their hands dirty in the pursuit of a better food system. Literally!
A collective pantry
Here, each member buys at least one share of 1,000 SEK into the co-op. No annual fees nor complicated discount system. Just a one-off, refundable investment (though we doubt you'll ever want to leave!). Financing the store ourselves will cover the initial set up costs, including rent deposit, furniture and other equipments. No loans means no interests and this financial independence is our first key to selling good food at a low price, which all members can enjoy year round.
Additionally, once a month, everyone gets to be cashiers, cheesemongers, stockers, and occasionally, even farmers. Together, we’ll not only physically man the shop, we’ll also influence its strategic direction as well as handpick its assortment. Volunteering our time is our second key to low prices. 20% cheaper than most organic stores, in fact.
Transparency at its best
What we won’t spend time doing is reading confusing labels and small prints because we’ll know that our affordable prices do not come at the expense of quality, people, or nature. Applying a single gross margin of 25% on everything, while big grocers often do 50% or more of what is known as overmargin on organic produce, is our last key to affordability.
Polykultur, its operations, and groceries will always be:
- asecologicalas possible
- asfairas possible
- aslocalas possible
- asseasonalas possible
- asartisanalas possible
- asbulkas possible
- asenvironmentally-friendlyas possible
- asaffordableas possible
- astransparentas possible
- asparticipatoryas possible
Easy to reach
Our goal is to offer greater access to sustainable groceries not only to those living in the inner city but the greater Stockholm area as a whole, suburbs included. That's why we have chosen to open the store in not one but two major hubs: Liljeholmen and Gullmarsplan.
We’ll open the first store as soon as we find the first venue and reach 300 members. Hopefully this year already.
Do you share our values? Does the idea of spending a summer morning picking organic strawberries put a smile on your face?