Beyoncé’s Stockholm concerts fueled Swedish inflation

They also resulted in over-occupancy and temporary depletion of tourist accommodation

Statistics Sweden reported that inflation in the country for the month of May has followed a downward trajectory, dipping below 10% for the first time in over half a year. Nevertheless, the 9.7% increase rate (year-on-year basis) was still higher than expected, and some experts hinted that popular American R&B megastar Beyoncé might have had something to do with this.

And no, that doesn’t mean that the acclaimed singer suddenly and heavily participated in the consumer market of the Nordic country. Beyonce held two concerts in the city of Stockholm in the month of May and they turned out to be so popular that they caused an influx of fans from all over the country and abroad to see their idol.

That in turn resulted in hotels and restaurants being completely booked up and driving the prices of the hospitality, culture and entertainment sectors to match the increased demand.

Butterfly effect

The national statistics agency determined that there was a decrease in electricity and food prices, but this was somewhat offset by a surge in the costs of recreational services and clothing. Some experts, such as Michael Grahn, chief economist at Danske Bank, saw a causality link between Beyoncé’s concerts and this surge.

Grahn said that her much-hyped show in May “probably” accounted for 0.2 of the 0.3 percentage points added to inflation by hotels and restaurant prices. It was the singer’s solo return to the stage for the first time in seven years that sparked the great interest.

Estimates put the crowd at each concert at 46,000, with some forced to stay outside the capital as hotels filled up.

Gahn told the Wall Street Journal that this effect was rare and temporary, however, other experts said that this could be repeated when Bruce Springsteen, another American icon, plays three concerts in Gothenburg this month.