Index of wholesale and retail sales, September 2003

Retail sales figures do not include motor vehicles and petrol.

The volume index of retail sales increased by 7.3 per cent in September 2003 compared with September 2002. Retail sales of food, beverages and tobacco in specialized stores increased its turnover by 10.4 per cent in the same period. The volume index of new goods in specialized stores increased by 8.8 per cent in September 2003 compared with September 2002. This sector includes clothing, shoes, electrical goods, furniture and building materials.

The value index of retail sales rose by 7.2 per cent in September 2003 compared with last year.

Revised figures for building material

The index of retail sales of a variety of hardware, such as paints and glass, contains revised figures for the period May to August 2003. The new figures are based on payments of value added tax. Statistics Norway has corrected data for some data providers who reported incorrect figures and also made adjustments for sampling errors. As a result, the total value index for the period May to August has on average been downward adjusted by 0.5 per cent. The index of other retail sales of new goods in specialized stores has been downward adjusted by 1.5 per cent in the same period.

Highest increase in Sweden

A comparison of retail sales in Denmark, Norway and Sweden shows that Sweden increased the most during the first eight months this year. See tables