Shops May Break Records. Norwegian Residents Take Advantage of a Stronger Krone
Swedish stores near the Norwegian border are seeing record sales. This has been helped by a reduction in VAT on food from 12% to 6%, as well as a stronger Norwegian krone against the Swedish currency. Norwegians are shopping abroad more often and are filling their baskets more than before.
The area around Strømstad, including Nordby and Svinesund, is the easiest and most popular destination for customers from Norway.
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The largest influx of Norwegian residents can be seen in the Svinesund area. Popular stores such as Nordby Supermarket and Maximat Nordby operate there. Their managers report sales above historical levels. Most customers are Norwegians, according to shopping center managers.
Something Unusual Is Happening at the Border. Swedish Stores Break Records Outside of Easter Season
Patrik Zäll, manager of Nordby Supermarket, told E24 that this may be the best May in the store's history. The store is located right on the Swedish side of the border. About 98% of customers are Norwegians. In the last days of May, they spent more than usual.
The store broke sales records, for example, on Ascension Day. According to Zäll, this had not happened on that day before. Records were usually set during Easter. Similar information was shared by Ole Jørgen Lind from Maximat Nordby.
The store broke sales records, for example, on Ascension Day. According to Zäll, this had not happened on that day before. Records were usually set during Easter. Similar information was shared by Ole Jørgen Lind from Maximat Nordby.
The shopping center in Nordby is one of the most popular among Norwegians.Photo: Kjetil Ree, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (archival photo)
What Is the Situation at the Border? No Disaster in Norway
On the Norwegian side, the effect is not noticeable everywhere. Line Kvesetberget, manager of Kiwi Skotterud, told E24 that the store still has very good traffic. The store is located about 20 minutes from Charlottenberg. It is home to the largest grocery store in the Nordic region.
Kvesetberget does not see a significant outflow of customers after the VAT reduction in Sweden. In her opinion, similar cross-border shopping has always existed. Some residents shop in both countries anyway. For many customers, the store in Norway and the store in Sweden serve as two local shopping points.
Kvesetberget does not see a significant outflow of customers after the VAT reduction in Sweden. In her opinion, similar cross-border shopping has always existed. Some residents shop in both countries anyway. For many customers, the store in Norway and the store in Sweden serve as two local shopping points.
The location of the stores remains key to the whole phenomenon. Nordby benefits from its proximity to the border and a large share of Norwegian customers. Skotterud, however, shows a different picture. There, traffic in the Norwegian store remains steady despite cheaper food on the Swedish side.
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