Wholesale and retail trade sales statistics, 6th period 2000

All sales in this connection exclude value-added tax. Retail sales for the entire country in this period amounted to NOK 48 378 per capita [corrected 12.06.01 at 16 pm], excluding sales of motor vehicles and petrol.

Førde, Haugesund, Gol and Tønsberg are in third, fourth, fifth and sixth place in the rankings, with sales totalling NOK 87 722, 86 839, 86 731 and 85 863 respectively per capita [corrected 12.06.01 at 16 pm]. Together with Nord-Aurdal and Skedsmo these municipalities account for the six municipalities in the country where retail businesses had sales of more than NOK 85 000 per capita in 2000.

Retail sales were lowest in Ramnes in Vestfold, at NOK 2 259 per capita. In addition to Ramnes, retail businesses in Rælingen, Hobøl, Siljan, Lavangen, Naustdal and Våler in Østfold had sales of under NOK 10 000 per capita [corrected 12.06.01 at 16 pm].

Retailing increased by NOK 9 billion

Retailers, with the exception of motor vehicles and petrol, increased sales by NOK 9 billion in 2000 compared with 1999. This is equivalent to an increase of 4.3 per cent. The retail sales index rose by 3.8 per cent during the same period. Total retail sales in Norway were NOK 216.7 billion last year. The group retail sales not in stores had the largest percentage growth in 2000 compared with 1999. Growth was 8.9 per cent. Stores selling pharmaceutical and medical goods, cosmetic and toilet articles increased sales by 6.8 per cent, and other retail sales of new goods in specialized stores increased 4.9 per cent during this period. This sector consists of clothing, shoes, electrical goods, furniture and building materials.

2 per cent growth in 6th period

In November and December (6th period) 2000, retail sales increased by 2.0 per cent, or NOK 862 million. Stores selling pharmaceutical and medical goods, cosmetic and toilet articles increased sales by 2.8 per cent in this period. Other retail sales of new goods in specialized stores rose 2.3 per cent. Retail sales in non-specialized stores with food, beverages or tobacco predominating increased by 1.8 per cent in November and December last year compared with the same period the year before.

Decline in sales of motor vehicles and petrol in Oslo

Oslo was the only county to see a decline in sales of motor vehicles and petrol in 2000 compared with 1999. The decline in Oslo was NOK 381 million, or 1.3 per cent. In Akershus and Buskerud counties sales of businesses in this industry rose by NOK 1.5 and 1.3 billion in the same period. This is equivalent to 5.2 and 9.0 per cent.

Businesses in Sogn og Fjordane had the highest percentage growth, with 10.7 per cent. For the entire country sales of motor vehicles and petrol rose by NOK 8 billion or 5.3 per cent.

Wholesaling increased by NOK 48 billion

Wholesalers increased sales by NOK 48 billion last year compared with the year before. This is equivalent to an increase of 10.2 per cent. Wholesaling of solid, liquid and gaseous fuels and related products alone increased by NOK 28 billion, a 64.1 per cent rise. During the same period, wholesaling of food, beverages and tobacco and wholesaling of household goods and goods for personal use grew NOK 3.6 and 3.5 billion respectively. This is equivalent to 2.6 and 4.2 per cent growth in 2000 compared with 1999. Wholesalers of wine and spirits increased sales by 9.1 per cent or NOK 574 million during the same period.

Wholesalers in Oslo set themselves apart from other counties with an increase of NOK 30 billion last year compared with 1999. This is equivalent to a growth of 18.1 per cent, and which is also the largest percentage increase among the counties.