– It was “pan-opening” right away. People poured in after normal closing time. In the middle of the night, laughs Bodil Midtsveen. For a number of years, customers have met the cheerful face of Midtsveen behind the cash register in the tiny country store in Flesberg. The convenience store along the county road in Numedal has existed since 1947. In recent years, it has become increasingly difficult to run a convenience store in the district. But today, Midtsveen has even more reason to smile broadly. – Now it happens that I have half the turnover after closing time on Saturday, she says. Lyngdal landhandleri has had a new spring after the shop became fully automatic and open 24 hours a day. Further down in the village are two supermarkets. Nevertheless, the tiny shop has a 37 percent turnover week. Photo: Caroline Bækkelund Hauge / news Had to hire help to meet increased demand In 2020, she agreed to participate in a national pilot project that would strengthen shops in small rural communities. Investment support from the so-called Merkur project in the Ministry of Local Government, made it possible to start a self-service and 24-hour shop. – Then I thought that this must be the future, says Midtsveen and adds: – It was just a matter of rebuilding. Throw out the old box, get in a self-igniting one. Inside with a camera on the roof, and a card machine outside so people register to enter. She admits that it was a little scary. To start again, with the possibility for people to go in and out at all times of the day. But the new system was a success. During the first year alone, turnover rose by a whopping 37 per cent. This amounts to NOK 2 million in extra hall. With an increase in turnover, Bodil had to appoint Laila Severinsen. She had not imagined that she would have to hire employees in the small country store. Photo: Caroline Bækkelund Hauge / news And she is not alone. The first eight stores that received support from the Merkur project experienced a turnover increase of 33 per cent. In Flesberg, Midtsveen has been forced to add extra help to meet the demand from customers. The Minister is impressed: – Judging by policies that work Since the start, 40 convenience stores in the district have participated in the pilot project. – I would like to have a shop like this where I live, laughs municipal and district minister Sigbjørn Gjelsvik, who visits the country store in Flesberg for the occasion. Local Government and District Minister Sigbjørn Gjelsvik is impressed by the increase in sales for Lyngdal Landhandleri. – This really shows that there is interest in this offer, he says. Photo: Caroline Bækkelund Hauge / news He is impressed by what Midtsveen has achieved in the small store, and calls it a great success when he hears that the store has had a sales week. – This is an example of politics that works, and which may work better than we had imagined in advance. These are not large amounts in a state budget context, but for this store and this local community it is important money, says Gjelsvik. – Great to have a shop open all the time In the shop we meet Hanne Bryggmann who has just locked himself in. She has chosen the convenience store, rather than one of the larger stores further down the village. – Very nice to visit here. I work quite a few evenings, so wonderful to just have a shop open all the time. – How often do you shop here? – It will be several times a week, replies Bryggmann, who says that she mostly comes in in the evening after work. Hanne Bryggmann locks himself in the shop. She lives nearby and shops in the local grocery store several times a week. Photo: Caroline Bækkelund Hauge / news The Prime Minister promises that the government will continue to work to maintain convenience stores in small local communities. Because it ensures migration and sustains housing in the villages. In the meantime, the shop owner has to roll up his sleeves. – Every day has not gotten any easier. I have to work all the time. There must be order in the shop and I must constantly fill up the shelves, says a still smiling Midtsveen. – Would you recommend others to do the same? – Yes absolutely. There are many run-down shops. We have to keep up with the times. If you want to run a shop in District Norway, you have to start with this.
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Døgnope gave millions of profits for the land trade
