Significant increase in trade in Norway when the border is closed

At the mall in Charlottenberg, sales have dropped by between 80 and 90 percent since the limit was closed to Norwegian customers.

In Norway, however, the stores report record sales.

In a collaboration, NRK has visited stores in Kongsvinger, while SVT has seen the trade on the Swedish side of the border.

Among the biggest sales increases is Vinmonopolet - the Norwegian Systembolaget - in Kongsvinger.

In the week before Easter, sales increased by 230 percent. In the entire corona period, sales have tripled.

- It's totally surreal. It's like Christmas shopping several times, and it came overnight. Directly the border was closed, says store manager Monica Sörpeböl.

On the Swedish side, the Thon Group, which owns the malls in Charlottenberg, Töcksfors and Strömstad, speaks of a dramatic decline. According to Deputy CEO Ole-Christian Hallerud, what is happening now can have consequences for border trade even in the long term.

- It will have long-term consequences for how we view our investments in the future.

In Norway, on the other hand, concerns are the opposite. It is about getting enough supplies to fill the shelves.

At Coop Extra in Kongsvinger, sales have increased by 80 percent.

- Some days we have had triple sales. During Easter we sold 80 percent more than during Easter 2019, says store manager Öystein Bjerke.

How do you view the situation?

- It's very gratifying. Both employees and suppliers are working to fill the shelves.

Both Coop and Vinmonopolet have hired extra staff to handle the influx of customers.

- It's very fun to be the manager here right now, says Monica Sörpeböl at Vinmonopolet