Wholesale and retail trade sales statistics, 1st period 2004

Retail sales not in stores increased by 8.4 per cent in the first two months of 2004 compared with the same period of 2003. Retail sales of food, beverages and tobacco in specialized stores rose by 6.6 per cent in the same period. Retail sales in non-specialized stores, which mainly include grocery stores, rose by 5.7 per cent. Other retail sales of new goods in specialized stores rose by 5.1 per cent. This sector consists of clothing, shoes, electrical goods, furniture and building materials. Stores selling pharmaceutical and medical goods, cosmetics and toiletries increased their sales by 3.2 per cent.

Increase for motor vehicles

Sales of motor vehicles rose by NOK 1.5 billion in the first two months of 2004 compared with the same period in 2003. This is equivalent to an increase of 12.9 per cent. Retail sales of automotive fuel decreased NOK 85 million or 1.6 per cent in the same period.

Wholesale up

Wholesalers increased sales by NOK 3.2 billion from the first two months of 2003 to the first two months of 2004. This is equivalent to an increase of 4.0 per cent.

Tables:

• Table 1 Sales statistics of retail sales excluding sales of motorized vehicles and petrol. Sales exlude VAT sales, by county
• Table 2 Sale, maintenance and repair of motor vehicles, motorcycles; retail sale of automotive fuel. Sales excluding VAT. Sales by county
• Table 3 Wholesale trade and commission trade, except of motor vehicles and motorcycles. Sales exlude VAT Sales by county
• Table 4 Turnover statistics except wholesale on a fee or contract basis 2003. Turnover excluding VAT. NOK million
• Table 5 Turnover statistics except wholesale on a fee or contract basis. Turnover excluding VAT. 2004. NOK million