Töcks free shopping!
Many people have been asking us why we like to drive about a 100 km’s to the Swedish border and shop till we drop. In Norway this is called ‘doing the Harry tour’.
Well, you’ve got to know the Norwegian market to fully understand why many Norwegians, and we, make shopping in Sweden a worthwhile visit. First of all, Norway is not a member of the EU. The customs barrier is high, and although more than before, not so many foreign products reach the Norwegian market. If this import monopoly would be stopped, daily foods could probably be reduced by 30%! There is also not a competitive market situation in Norway. And last but not least, Norway resist it’s market tooth and nail.
On April 8 of this year the Aftenposten wrote ‘Swedish fresh produce department in grocery stores more diverse than in Norway’. In Sweden a customer can choose twice as many fresh products than in a Norwegian supermarket. In Sweden there are three times as many different kinds of bread, and double so many kinds of cheese and sausage. This was, even for the Norwegians, old news, because in 2005 a similar report was written. Nothing much has changed in six years.
Always choose the 'Nothing to declare' lane when crossing the border!
The Norwegian state claims their farmers don’t receive European subsidies. Therefor prices are high so the little farmer around the corner of the next fjord can make a living too. The average price of most groceries are 22% higher than in Sweden. Sometimes even more. You do the math! Yeah, everything in Sweden is cheaper. It doesn’t limit to just average groceries, also alcoholic drinks. For example, a wine bottle of a certain brand we like, costs in Norway 120 NOK (€ 15), half of the price in Sweden. In the Netherlands we bought this bottle for about € 6,50.
Big malls placed just over the border in Sweden are all Norwegian owned. They are also filled with the same type of shops you find here in Norway, the only difference is the price: cheaper. The supermarkets are huge, with a wide variety of goods, and like described above, with much lower prices. Don’t forget to not buy more than allowed to be able to cross the border safely.
Oh, btw, doesn’t count for Dutch people!
