A New Habit Among Norwegians: What Happens in Stores Before the Holidays

At the Norli bookstore in central Stavanger, the rush begins just after opening. Customers keep coming in, as confirmed by store manager Runar Fuglestad in an interview with NRK. He adds that since the beginning of the year, sales have increased by 10 percent.

Many visitors are looking for holiday gifts. Non-fiction is especially popular. Buyers often point out that they choose books both for themselves and as presents.

More and more Norwegians say that books are a tried-and-true gift for under the Christmas tree. Anne Schiøtz from the Norwegian Booksellers Association reports that this year, sales are approaching 7 million copies. The industry still has two crucial weeks ahead, which could further boost results.

Interest in children's literature is also growing. This is due to increased parental awareness about reading together. According to Schiøtz, such habits are becoming increasingly common.

In Stavanger bookstores, customers are happy to talk about their habits. Some buy books regularly, others mainly during the holiday season or after finishing their previous read. Both novels and non-fiction are gaining popularity, and some readers combine traditional reading with audiobooks.

Among the most popular titles are Grunnboka by Eyvind Hellstrøm, Ufred by Åsne Seierstad, and Alternativt statsbudsjett by Martin Bech Holte. Many customers admit that they buy books every year specifically for the holidays.

Sales are also rising in large bookstore chains. Ark reports double-digit growth, describing it as the highest ever for the autumn season. Norli emphasizes that 2025 is bringing a clear rebound after years of decline and highlights the scale of this change.

Industry representatives note that customers are increasingly limiting their screen time and looking for ways to focus more deeply. For many, turning to books is a response to the need for a break from electronic devices.

Booksellers are noticing this trend, observing a return to more traditional ways of spending time. Increased activity in stores confirms that reading is once again becoming an important part of everyday life.

As the holidays approach, books are returning to the top of the list of most popular gifts. The industry hopes that the end of the year will further strengthen this trend and that the growing interest in literature will continue even after the holiday peak.