– I am retired, and make sure to buy on offer, says Kari Jahnsen. The Europris store in Oslo has yarn on Black Week offer of 40 per cent. Jahnsen’s shopping habits have changed a bit after “everything” became more expensive. – I think we can do it anyway, because we waste a lot and can think more about the environment. I will try to make a slightly cheaper Christmas, she says. – Will there be homemade Christmas presents this year? – Yes, actually more than last year. And it’s successful, says Jahnsen, who has a knitting job ahead of him before Christmas rings in. Kari Jahnsen goes for both home-knitted garments and home-made baking for Christmas gifts. Photo: Martin Fønnebø / news Fewer goods for the over 1,000 mark Such customers are bad news for the retail trade, which had record sales of expensive furniture and sports equipment during the pandemic. Logistical disruptions created difficulties in obtaining goods, and the chains hoarded until the big reopening year 2022. But this year, people are trying to brace themselves for more expensive interest rates, food and electricity, while also allowing the budget to accommodate a Christmas party or two. – Since the summer, we have seen that people buy fewer products with higher prices, says Europris manager Espen Eldal. Items that cost NOK 100 are added to the shopping cart far more often, while the chain sells 20 per cent less of items over NOK 1,000, compared to last year. – I think it’s about people generally having less to worry about. Then the customers have to use the money differently, and keep what they can save on, and buy what they have to buy, he says. Artificial Christmas trees are among the items at Europris that cost several thousand, and which customers choose less of before this year’s Christmas. Photo: Martin Fønnebø / news Awaiting bankruptcies Many stores are struggling with large inventories and expectations of high discounts now during Blackweek. Christmas shopping is expected to be worse than the previous year. The industry organization Virke believes the decline will be 3.5 per cent compared to last year. Last week, merchandise trade was 4 per cent below the same week last year, adjusted for inflation, according to figures on card usage from DNB. – People prioritize, are more conscious and plan-oriented. It is positive for sustainability and the abnormally high consumption that has been experienced over several years. But for merchandise trade, this is demanding to deal with, says partner Reidar Mueller in Varde Hartmark. Partner Reidar Mueller in Varde Hartmark believes that the chains must sell more goods on offer in the run-up to Christmas, but does not believe that the discounts will increase. Photo: Martin Fønnebø / news Handelsuken Black Week is an opportunity to get rid of inventories that have built up throughout the autumn. Mueller believes that the offers will increase towards Christmas, and that some shops will not earn enough when Norwegians have tightened their spending. – There is no doubt that the consequence will unfortunately be that many have to choose to cease their business because they do not get enough income to cover their obligations, he says. People choose the cheapest gnome The fact that Norwegians want cheaper goods gives a twist towards discount stores. But Europris also missed a bit this year. The sweet old Santa at NOK 599 was not a favourite. – This year, I think it will be in the most expensive team. The elves are still cheap, but we are selling less this year than in previous years, says Eldal. The elf on the right costs 599 and was less popular than Europris thought. The cheaper gnome on the left is more affordable. Photo: Martin Fønnebø / news People prefer the option with the Santa hat pulled down over the eyes for NOK 99. To avoid being left with too many elves for next Christmas, the boss must take action. – Then we must also be willing to look at discounts and prices when Christmas approaches.
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– People have less to worry about – news Norway – Overview of news from different parts of the country
