A particular item has been in extra demand at various pharmacies around the country this winter.
News24 have talked to Elin Jarlhead of external communications at Apoteket, to investigate why this product’s popularity has skyrocketed.
– Since 2022, we have seen a marked increase in the entire market, with a total increase of 31 percent, she says.
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It’s stings that have been particularly sought after during the winter, and it’s not particularly surprising given all the warnings issued during the snow storms of the past few weeks. SMHI has warned on several occasions about slipping both on motorways and pavements.
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Customers rush to the pharmacy – stings are in demand
It turns out that the biggest increase has taken place in Stockholm.
– In 2024, Stockholm accounted for 30 percent of all sales. Sales in Stockholm have also increased even more than in the rest of the country, with an increase of a whopping 33 percent since 2022. This is partly due to the denser population and the specific winter conditions in the metropolitan area, explains Jarl.
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Slippery pedestrians. Photo: Claudio Bresciani / TT.
At Apoteket, it has also become clear which types of spikes attract the most customers.
– One of the clearest trends is that customers are looking for stitches that combine function and convenience. The most popular model is the Heelgrip, a spike that is easily attached around the heel. It provides good grip and is easy to put on and take off.
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Stitches. Photo: Pontus Lundahl / TT.Many accidents despite more people buying spikes
Despite the fact that more and more people are buying home spikes, there is evidence in several parts of the country that the number of slip accidents has increased. SVT have reported increased pressure on the emergency department at Södersjukhuset in Stockholm due to slipping. Even at the emergency room in Västerås, it is slip injuries that dominate, according to the channel.
– Ultimately, we see a greater need in cities with a lot of foot traffic, where icy pavements are a real challenge. Outside of Stockholm, we also see a stable increase, but in some regions the seasonal variations can be more noticeable depending on the influence of the weather, says Elin Jarl to Nyheter24.
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