Sweden’s Alcohol Monopoly Loses Legal Battle With E-Retailer

Sweden’s retailing monopoly on alcohol was dealt a legal blow with a Supreme Court ruling that may pave the way for foreign online retailers to sell beverages to the Nordic country.

The court ruled that Denmark’s Winefinder ApS should be allowed to market its products in Sweden, dismissing complaints by the state monopoly, Systembolaget. The ruling is a defeat for Systembolaget, which has had exclusive rights to sell alcoholic beverages in Sweden since its founding in 1955.

Winefinder offers its wine online for home delivery to consumers in Sweden. The Supreme Court said those purchases should be viewed as ...