Experience the vibrant chaos and excitement at Gekås Ullared, where shopping is an adventure. From families enjoying their camping trips to spontaneous shopping sprees, Gekås offers a unique blend of drama, joy, and bargains. Discover the stories of visitors navigating the bustling aisles, enjoying local traditions, and making the most of their time at this Swedish shopping haven.
A Day in the Life at Gekås Ullared: Shopping, Chaos, and Fun
A Day in the Life at Gekås Ullared: Shopping, Chaos, and Fun
When everything gets chaotic at the checkout at Gekås. And it's time to check out of the campsite. Long overdue. Then it's just a matter of grabbing the shopping cart—and running.
"There's not much else to do," says Marie Wrele, catching her breath.
Gekås is not just a store; it's a whole world. After visiting, we seriously consider seeking asylum here. So much joy, drama, chaos, and good food in such a small space—what's not to like?
Here's our minute-by-minute report from the shopping universe in Ullared.
15:04
Henrik and Maria Jönsson, 50 and 46, from Vellinge in Skåne, are waiting at the motorhome campsite. At 3 PM, a new day begins.
"We thought we could get in earlier. But it was exactly at three that we got access to the key," says Maria Jönsson.
They have been on a summer vacation in Dalarna. Ullared was a convenient stop on the way home to Skåne.
"We needed a break, and this campsite is a bit cheaper," says Henrik Jönsson.
Shopping isn't the main thing, but they'll do a small round.
"As long as the kids can handle it. They'll each get a toy because they were so good in the car," says Maria Jönsson.
15:19
One who isn't waiting at the gate is Marie Wrele, 67, from Halmstad. Quite the opposite, actually. She was supposed to check out the motorhome at 3 PM but rushes into the campsite twenty minutes later—with a full shopping cart.
She had luck with her shopping.
"I found everything. Gifts for the grandchildren, stuff for the motorhome, plastic cups, and plants," she says.
Marie hasn't been to Gekås in two years, so she got lost in the store.
But it was mainly in the checkout line that everything went wrong. Marie's friend had bought spices that fell to the floor and spread everywhere, "there were spices everywhere."
"And then there was someone in front of me in line who had a lot of small items, it took time."
Marie Wrele realized that the schedule had fallen apart. She called the reception and explained the situation.
"'Just run,' they said when I called," Marie Wrele recounts, catching her breath.
15:24
Christer and Marita Ziegler from Staffanstorp in Skåne, both 72 years old, are setting up their caravan. It's a tradition to either start or end the vacation in Ullared.
But before they settle in, Christer measures both the front and back with a spirit level to ensure the caravan is level. Otherwise, both the fridge and the water tap could break.
"I fix inside, and he fixes outside. Whoever finishes first helps the other," says Marita Ziegler.
16:55
Now Rikard Lind and his children Leo, 13, and Junie, 10, from Finspång have earned an ice cream. They've been in the store for over four hours. The kids are old enough to go on their own now, Junie checked out makeup, and Leo fishing gear.
"They've been surprisingly good," says dad Rikard Lind.
They bought stuff for the dog and cat, things for the car, and paint. Tonight, there will be a nice dinner at a restaurant, and then it's payback time for the parents, the kids say.
"Yes, we usually 'have to' play mini-golf," says Rikard Lind with a smile.
17:08
A corner plot is a jackpot, according to the Berntsson-Johansson family from Fjärås. No neighbor on one side and Gekåsbyn's equivalent of a "lakefront" (a spot near the stream). The only downside is that the family becomes a bit like customer service due to the proximity to the entrance.
"There are many people we have to help because the scanning doesn't work properly," says Annette Berntsson-Johansson.
17:26
Bath time. The Norwegian family travels to Sweden to get away from everyday life. At the same time, they take the opportunity to shop for toys and clothes.
"It's cheap and cozy. Sweden is nice!" says Monica Berberg.
"The shopping is nice too," says Daniel Kvisgård.
17:46
Sex toys might not be what you go to Ullared for. But some people peek in, and owner Peter Kjellbin has adapted his store Kondomeriet to the Gekås spirit and sells the products for 10-20 percent less than online. Customers can also get some advice.
"Those who want to talk, we're quite good at problem-solving. We've learned that over the years," he says.
The best sex weather is when it's not raining but not too hot either. Then bargain shoppers take time for erotica. Lubricants are a big seller, as are kegel balls.
18:56
Two Danes, father and son, who don't want to give their names, buy Pokémon cards. A small pack costs over 70 Danish kroner at home, here they go for 49 Swedish.
"It's a BIG difference," they say.
Candy and soda we just won't talk about, it's practically free, they think.
19:04
Mia and Anki are starting a department for youth care for girls. They don't want to reveal their names or the form of care, but they are excited about the new project.
They buy practically EVERYTHING. Hula hoops, shampoo, bras, crafts, stuffed animals, facial care, dice games. The starting point was to land at 25,000 kronor with a pain threshold of 27,000.
In the beginning, they counted every item.
"But it's completely impossible when you buy this much," says Mia.
Then they went by feel, and now, as they leave the checkout, the result is 26,443 kronor. They are satisfied with that.
"Everything will be used and utilized. It will be a great start."
20:25
Monica Salmi, 60, and Peter Salmi, 61, have a glass of cava and beer after finishing shopping. Peter bought three shirts and three pairs of underwear. Monica bought shampoo and conditioner, and their dog Prezley, 2, got a new ball.
They shopped in shifts because Prezley can't be left alone.
"That's why we got him. So I can sit outside," jokes Peter Salmi.
Prezley, however, has dropped his ball and is completely focused on the fries on the table. He drools and glares at his owners.
"He thinks a lot about food, yes," says Monica Salmi and gives her dog a little treat.
20:45
The Östergren and Kvarnström families from Lund and Kalmar were actually at High Chaparall in Småland but "made a spontaneous decision" and rented two cabins at Gekås on the way home.
Now they're playing Yatzy. Nathalie is leading, she usually does.
"But then I never win," she says.
21:04
"Girls just wanna have fun," blares from a tent at the campsite. "Are you having a party, or?" we ask. Henke from Halland comes out of the awning and tells us that he and about twenty other people have a tradition of meeting this weekend.
Outside the tents stands an impressive inflatable unicorn, two meters high and two meters wide.
Both the volume and alcohol percentage are high in this part of the campsite. But Henke says they'll turn it down well before 11 PM. It should be quiet by then, and everyone respects that rule, he promises.
21:26
Suddenly, blue lights are seen in the idyllic Gekåsbyn. Both the company's own cars, the security company, and the rescue service rush to the cabin village. What happened? Has the shopping gone overboard?
It turns out someone grilled in the wrong place, setting off the fire alarm. The cars leave the scene, one by one.
"There was no danger at all, we're leaving now," says operations manager Susanne at Rescue Service West.
22:37
Everything is calm at the campsite. The unicorn glows white in the dark, and the rain refuses to stop. There are still lights inside the tents, but the music is off, and darkness has fallen. Soon everyone will sleep well. Goodnight, Gekåsbyn.
Friday, June 27
6:59
Morning mist, gray weather, and an empty parking lot. The Securitas guard opens the doors. About a hundred people are in line, unusually few, the guard thinks. He likes to be nice and open a minute earlier, it makes people happy.
First out are Rick Odlia from Australia and Camilla Schütze from Karlstad. They got up at five and had a hearty breakfast.
"It's nice not to have so many people around us," says Camilla, who has visited the store ten times and thinks Rick absolutely must experience the destination now that he's visiting Sweden.
10:01
Christine Garvey drives the free bus between the campsite and the store. Sometimes she meets trucks transporting goods from the warehouse—which is right next to the campsite. A few hours later, the same goods go back, but then in customers' shopping bags.
At this time, it's an empty bus and empty shopping bags. The later in the day, the more chaos. Then it happens that people come with overflowing shopping carts, dump them on the sidewalk, and struggle onto the bus.
"It's like kids at Liseberg. They ride something, and then they stand right back in line," says Christine Garvey.
The free bus is a lovely work environment compared to regular traffic. No ticket control, for example.
"I don't have to deal with the boring part at all."
13:10
Christer Rosenborg and Pekka Nätynki sit outside the store to get Swish for the newly started association "The Forgotten People." Last year, people shopped for 6.4 billion, but still, there doesn't seem to be a penny left for Christer and Pekka.
"Very few give anything. In the past, people had more money, but Sweden is becoming poorer, it affects," says Christer.
14:40
Natalie Andersson and David Zetterlund from Hönö have a mini-party at the campsite. David hardly even likes dance bands, but Natalie has managed to drag him to Gekås dance band weekend anyway. Everything is washed down with coffee and Baileys.
"I think I might get hooked on this," says David.
14:59
Now a new day begins at Gekås campsite. Tony and Christine Westerberg from Lerum roll in through the gate. Tonight, Gekås dance band weekend begins, which has been fully booked. It's something that attracts. But also the shopping.
"Everything!" they say, swipe the digital key, and the barrier opens.