The proposal: Force grocery stores to accept cash

Published December 19, 2024 at 3:37 PM

Economy. Government investigator Dennis Dioukarev (SD) proposes that medium-sized and larger grocery stores and all pharmacies should be obliged to accept cash between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m.

Share the article

TwittraShare

The proposal also includes government fees, such as car inspections, driving licenses and dental visits.

“If the proposals are implemented, we will future-proof Swedes’ ability to purchase food and medicine with banknotes and coins,” investigator Dennis Dioukarev, a member of parliament for the Sweden Democrats and a member of the Finance Committee, tells TT.

He emphasizes that the proposal not only strengthens crisis preparedness but also contributes to a more inclusive economy, especially for groups that have difficulty using digital payment solutions.

According to the proposal, pharmacies should be covered by the cash requirement for all medicines, but gas stations are exempt as many of them are unmanned.

The Swedish Trade Association “views with concern the risks that increased cash handling entails”, it announces in a press release.

– Cash handling always entails higher risk, and increased costs. The cash handling chain today is fragile and it is good that the investigation draws attention to this and places higher demands on banks, among others, says Bengt Nilervall, Business Policy Expert in Payment Issues at Swedish Trade Association.

Swedish Trade Association believes that it is the state that should take responsibility.

– If the state places demands on market participants to perform socially important cash services, which also lack commercial viability, the state must also increase its responsibility for maintaining and partially financing cash handling in the future. It is not reasonable for trade to bear all the risks and costs, says Bengt Nilervall.