NORWAY: Vinmonopolet monthly sales dip

By just-drinks.com editorial team | 12 September 2006

Monthly alcohol sales at Norwegian alcohol retail monopoly Vinmonopolet slid in July, according to recent figures.

The company said yesterday (11 September) that sales in the month were down by 2% on the corresponding period a year earlier to 6.36m litres. Calender-adjusted sales, however, were up by 4% year-on-year for the month, Vinmonopolet noted.

Table wine, spirits, fortified wine and beer all fell in July, with fortified wine dropping by 10.2% in the month to 89,000 litres.

For the year so far, total sales enjoyed a rise of 3.4% to 37.9m litres. Table wine saw sales increase for the seven-month period by 3.8% to 30.8m litres.

The company credited the rise to increased purchasing power amongst the Norwegian population, the opening of new stores and the reorganisation of shops into self-service outlets.

Late last year, Vinmonopolet was hit by bribery allegations and a police complaint over the probing of staff emails. The company's chief executive, Knut Groeholt, subsequently resigned after board chairman Harald Arnkvaern stepped down.

Sectors: Beer & cider, Spirits, Wine