Ylva Hasselberg & Tom Petersson (eds), ‘Bäste broder!’ Nätverk,entreprenörskap och innovation i svenskt näringsliv

Abstract

Until 1847 retail trade was illegal in the Swedish countryside and did not become completely free until 1864. But the government, even with the support of the cities and towns, had great difficulty in enforcing the law. In any case farmers were allowed to sell their own products and also town citizens sometimes had special rights. Outside the towns, fairs were held on officially fixed days.