Record trade in Norway this summer when Swedish border shops are deserted

According to the report by the trade organization Virke, trade in Norwegian stores could reach a record amount of NOK 108 billion in July and August, an increase of almost seven billion compared to the same months the year before.

- The reason we expect such a large increase is that border trade will be lower this year than for a long time. This is a result of corona-boundary and fear of infection, ”says Harald Jachwitz Andersen, director of Virke Commerce, in a press release.

While the Norwegian trade rejoices, it is even darker on the Swedish side. Since the travel restrictions with strict quarantine rules were introduced in mid-March, border trade has largely ceased.

According to Swedish trade, many stores along the border report losses of between 80 and 95 percent.

For many years, Norwegian trade has pushed the government to bring about a sharp reduction in taxes and fees, so that the price differences between the countries are leveled. Now it is believed that the corona crisis made the effects of the differences in price level clear.

"This crisis has made it clear how large sums we throw out the window because of border trade," says Harald Jachwitz Andersen.

Footnote: The estimates in the report are based on the fact that the Norwegians are allowed to start day trips to Sweden at the earliest part of July