Index of wholesale and retail sales, October 2002

Total retail sales in Norway increased by 6.0 per cent in October this year compared with October last year. From January to October 2002 the total retail sales rose by 5.4 per cent compared with the same period in 2001.The index excludes sales of motorized vehicles and petrol.

The value of retail sale of new goods in specialized stores increased by 8.1 per cent in October 2002 compared with October 2001. This sector includes clothing shoes, electrical goods, furniture and building materials. The value index of retail sale of food, beverages and tobacco in specialized stores rose by 6.9 per cent in October 2002 compared with October 2001. The index of pharmaceutical and medical goods, cosmetic and toilet articles increased by 6.3 per cent the same period. The value of retail sales in non-specialised stores, which mainly include grocery stores rose by 4.7 per cent.

The seasonally adjusted volume index of retail sales decreased by 0.1 per cent from September to October this year. Compared with October last year the seasonally adjusted volume index increased by 2.9 per cent. The volume index not adjusted increased by 4.2 per cent in the same period.

The price index for retail sales has for certain industries had a different development than the increase in prices in partly comparable sub-indices in the consumer price index. Based on this - Statistics Norway is considering changing the calculation system for price indices for retail sale. Until further action only the volume index for retail sales is therefore published.

As an indicator for household consumption Statistics Norway also publishes an index of household consumption indicator which next time will be published 11 December.

The final retail sales value index for October is unchanged from the preliminary index published in 22. November.