FX.co ★ Norway Retail Sales Slip in September

In September 2025, Norway experienced a 0.5% decrease in retail sales compared to the same month the previous year, following a downward revision from a 0.1% increase the month before. This decline signifies the first since June 2024, primarily due to a more significant drop in automotive fuel sales, which fell by 3.4% compared to a 0.9% dip in August. Additionally, sales of cultural and recreational goods decreased by 2.3%, after a previous increase of 2.6%. Other household equipment also saw a contraction, dropping by 0.8% compared to a 1.8% gain in the preceding month, and the sales of other goods slipped by 0.8% against a 1.4% rise earlier. Meanwhile, trade outside traditional stores or stalls grew at a slower rate, moderating to 1.6% from 2%. Conversely, sales of food and beverages showed a recovery, rising by 0.9% following a slight decrease of 0.1% previously. Sales in non-specialized stores fell at a reduced rate of 0.3%, compared to a 1.7% drop earlier, and ICT equipment sales declined by 1.1%, less severe than the 2.3% fall in the prior month. Evaluated on an annual basis, retail activity eased to 3.7% in September 2025 from 5% in the month before.