NORWAY: Vinmonopolet sales up in ‘06

By just-drinks.com editorial team | 19 July 2006

Sales at Norwegian alcohol retail monopoly Vinmonopolet have risen slightly in the first half of the year.

The company said yesterday (18 July) that sales in the six-months to June were up by 4.5% year-on-year, coming in at 31.5m litres.

While table wine sales rose by 4.9% to 25.6m litres, sales of spirits at the retailer increased by 3.3% to 5.2m litres. Beer sales, however, dipped by 2.2% year-on-year to 0.18m litres.

The company credited the lift to higher purchasing power amongst the population, the opening of several new stores and the reorganisation of outlets into self-service stores.

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