Border municipalities in Viken top the list of Vinmonopolet’s sales statistics for the first half of this year. At the top is Kongsvinger with sales growth of 161 per cent.
The five municipalities topping Vinmonopolet’s sales list for the first half of this year are Kongsvinger, Halden, Sarpsborg, Hvaler and Fredrikstad. – The geographical pattern is very clear, says communications manager Jens Nordahl in the Vinmonopolet.
–Trond Reidar Teigen / NTB scanpix
Published:,
Total sales increased by 32 per cent in the first half compared to the same period last year. It is especially the corona that has affected the turnover. But increased sales in Norway do not mean that most Norwegians drink more than before.
– Sales growth is about as expected given that border trade and duty free for a period of time have stopped almost entirely due to the corona measures. Serving at the country’s bars, restaurants and cafes is also down significantly from last year, says Communications Manager Jens Nordahl in Vinmonopolet to NTB.
Growth is particularly marked in Viken. The county, which is normally most affected by border trade, has a growth of 49 per cent. In comparison, Møre and Romsdal and Vestland have growth of 19 and 21 per cent respectively.
Other factors that have affected are good weather in May and June, two more sales days in the first half of this year compared to last year and a weak Norwegian krone.
boundary municipalities
The five municipalities topping the sales list are Kongsvinger (161 per cent), Halden (120), Sarpsborg (111), Hvaler (94) and Fredrikstad (93).
– The geographical pattern is very clear. The border is closed. Then people shop at Vinmonopolet and not Systembolaget. We have not heard any other plausible explanations. We think this is a very good expression of border trade, ”says Nordahl.
According to the communications manager, the sales figures that are now being presented have remained at the same level since 12 March.
– Something happened historically in Norway. Three factors have taken place at the same time – closed borders to Sweden and stalled in duty free sales and outdoor dining. We have to go back to the pole strikes in the 70s and 80s and the reopening of Norway after World War II to find similar movements in our sales figures, ”he says.
Stable consumption
However, the increase in sales has not led to any major change in consumption, according to Vinmonopolet.
Among other things, Nordahl draws up a survey Opinion where 72 per cent of those polled say they have unchanged consumption, 9 per cent say they drink more, while 19 per cent say they drink less.
– Last time there was a recession in Norway, alcohol consumption fell by 20 to 25 per cent. In the weeks after September 11 and July 22, we also received a sales reduction. When something dramatic happens that feels unsafe, people go less at the Vinmonopoly, he explains.
The researchers’ estimates of border trade, duty-free and donated sales are roughly equivalent to Vinmonopolet’s sales increase.
– These are historical figures. They provide a unique opportunity to study different mechanisms, dynamics and mobility in the country, says communications manager Jens Nordahl.
–
