Wholesale and retail trade sales statistics, 4th period 2001

Retail sales is exclusive sales of motor vehicles and petrol, and excluding VAT.

Sales of pharmaceutical and medical goods, cosmetics and toilet articles increased 6.0 per cent the first eight months in 2001 compared with the same period in 2000. Retail sales in non-specialized stores, which mainly include grocery stores, increased 4.1 per cent the same period. Retail sales of food, beverages and tobacco in specialized stores rose by 3.0 per cent. Retail sales of new goods in specialized stores increased 2.1 per cent. This sector includes clothing, shoes, electrical goods, furniture and building materials.

Retail sales of motor vehicles and petrol down

The retail sales of motor vehicles and petrol decreased by NOK 1.1 billion the first eight months in 2001 compared with the same period in 2000, i.e. down 1.1 per cent. The sale of motor vehicles and petrol increased by 0.9 per cent in July and August 2001 compared with the same period in 2000.

Wholesaling increased by NOK 30 billion

Total turnover in wholesaling increased by NOK 30 billion the first eight months of 2001 compared with the same period in 2000, up 9.3 per cent. In July and August 2001 total turnover in wholesaling rose by 9.7 per cent compared with the same period in 2000.

Changes in the basis for the statistics

The statistics are calculated based on turnover reports that the ones who are required to pay WAT send to the Directorate of Taxes via the county tax offices. Previously the reports only contained turnovers subject to WAT regulations. From the first term 2001 the turnover figures contain all turnovers. This will result in the fact that the figures from the first term 2001 are not quite comparable with figures from previous terms.