It is early morning on 22 December and there is already a queue in the car park of the Kvadrat shopping center in Sandnes. – I noticed when I arrived ten past ten, that it was complete chaos. Then I thought, well, it was luck that I found a spot then, says Synne Amundsen. Synne Amundsen was so happy when she found a parking space at Kvadrat on 22 December. Photo: Ole Andreas Bø / news Most people inside the shopping center are on the same errand. The rush of Christmas shopping is well under way. – I’m here to make the last of the Christmas packages, says Kirsti Jåtten. Kirsti Jåtten Photo: Ole Andreas Bø / news – Do you have many gifts left? – No, fortunately. Decline There is a lot of activity at the shops, but figures from Virke and Bank Axept show that Norwegians are somewhat more careful with their money this year. The decline in Norwegian Christmas shopping is 5.5 per cent so far in December. At the same time, today is extra special. – 22 December is probably the biggest shopping day of the year, it used to be. We have estimated that this year – i.e. today – we will trade for approximately NOK 3.3 billion in one day. And there is a lot, says Jarle Hammerstad, head of industry policy in Virke. The decline is greater than Virke predicted in advance, but the industry is comforted by the fact that many postponed their Christmas shopping until November this year, especially Back Week. It was busier than last year. This year’s 22 December was also busier than in 2019. The pandemic years 2020 and 2021 stood out. Virke believes that people bought more Christmas presents in those years since they could not go to restaurants and the like. – Queuing out the door Back at Kvadrat, it’s in any case full steam ahead. – Sales have been very good, we are satisfied. Very busy every day, from ten o’clock. And if we have good offers, there is often a queue out the door, says Heidi Hoff, shop assistant at Kicks. There are two days left until Christmas and there is a queue at the centre. Gift shopping in the middle of the Christmas rush is not for everyone. Helge Kleven is more easily stated. Father Helge Kleven was looking forward to coming home, daughter Heidi Kleven was looking forward to having her wishes fulfilled. Photo: Ole Andreas Bø / news – This is the worst place you can be. – But why have you waited until the biggest shopping day of the year to fix Christmas presents? – Yes, good question! – He hasn’t received the wish list until now, says daughter Heidi Kleven. – But now we are done, now we can go home. Now it’s Christmas, says a satisfied and happy dad.
ttn-69
22 December is the busiest shopping day of the year – news Rogaland – Local news, TV and radio
