Index of wholesale and retail sales, September 2002

The index excludes sales of motorized vehicles and petrol. The volume index not adjusted rose by 3.2 per cent in September this year compared with September last year. The seasonally adjusted volume index of retail sales increased by 1.6 per cent from August 2002 to September 2002.

The price index for retail sales in specific industries develops differently from the sub indices, which are just to some extent comparable. The price index of retail sales increased by 0.4 per cent from August to September this year. From September last year the rise amounted to 2.0 per cent. For the same period the consumer price index excluding energy increased by 0.4 respectively 1.9 per cent. The gap for some of the sub indices is bigger. Due to these circumstances Statistics Norway is for the future considering changing the procedures for the calculation of the price indices for retail sales. For September and until further notice we thus publish the volume index for total retail sales only. For the next publication of the index of commodity consumption, in week 46, Statistics Norway will make use of the sub indices from the consumer price index as deflators. Thus the commodity consumption index is not affected by the mentioned discrepancies. This applies also to the development of consumption in the quarterly national accounts, due for publication next December 12.

Preliminary results

These preliminary results are based on a sample of 9 700 responds. Before the publication of the final results of the retail sales index for September 2002, we expect to receive another 800 responds. The final results, to be published November 7, may therefore be adjusted.

Tables:

• Table 1 Retail sales. Index of value. 1995 = 100
• Table 2 Retail sales. Index of volume. Unadjusted. 1995 = 100
• Table 3 Retail sales. Index of volume. Seasonally adjusted 1995=100