Index of retail sales, August 1997:

Decline in food, beverages and tobacco sales

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The volume of food, beverages and tobacco sold in specialized stores dropped 7.4 per cent in August this year compared to August last year. August this year had one less shopping day than August last year. Sales have declined 3.7 per cent in this sector so far this year.

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The volume index of retail sales in non-specialized stores (main emphasis on food, beverages and tobacco) dropped 1.3 per cent in the same period. Retail sales outside of stores declined 5.6 per cent. Retail sales of pharmaceutical and medical goods, cosmetics and toiletries in stores were 0.8 per cent lower in August 1997 compared to August 1996. On the other hand, the volume of other retail sales of new goods in specialized stores (including clothing, shoes, electrical goods, furniture, hardware, paints and building materials) rose 5.8 per cent.

New Statistics

Index of retail sales, August 1997.
Statistics are published every month in the Weekly Bulletin of Statistics. More information: Solveig Nygårdseter, tel. +47 62 88 51 74, e-mail: snl@ssb.no or Rune Sønsterudbråten, tel. +47 62 88 54 37, e-mail: rso@ssb.no.

Weekly Bulletin issue no. 41, 1997