Köparintresse

Köparintresse refers to the interests and considerations of buyers or purchasers in a market. The concept encompasses price sensitivity, quality expectations, product availability, reliability of delivery, service and warranty terms, information transparency, and the total cost of ownership. It is used primarily in Swedish economic and policy discourse to describe how buyers’ needs should influence market outcomes, procurement design, and regulatory frameworks.

In practice, köparintresse is often invoked in public procurement and competition discussions. In procurement, authorities aim to reflect buyers’ needs by valuing lifecycle costs, service levels, risk allocation, and long-term reliability rather than focusing solely on the lowest upfront price. In competition policy, it helps frame debates about consumer welfare, market efficiency, and the balance between buyer demands and supplier incentives.

Relation to consumer welfare is central to the concept. By emphasizing buyers’ ability to obtain value and reliable supply, köparintresse is linked to improved welfare when markets operate with good information, fair competition, and appropriate incentives for quality and innovation. It also interacts with seller interests, requiring a balance that supports both buyer satisfaction and producer viability.

Criticism and limitations include concerns that an excessive focus on köparintresse can hinder supplier competition, reduce innovation, or overlook broader societal goals such as sustainability or equity. Effective use of the concept requires transparent rules, reliable information, and safeguards against bias in procurement and policy processes.

See also: consumer welfare, public procurement, procurement policy, competition policy, seller interests.