Shopping in Norway - outlets, shopping streets and boutiques

Norway impresses its guests not only with its unique architecture and stunning scenery: majestic mountain peaks and fjords, picturesque valleys and waterfalls. The prices in this Scandinavian country are also impressive. They are one order of magnitude higher than in other European countries. Nevertheless, the quality of local goods is very high. This applies to food items, clothing, and souvenirs.

Norway is not a member of the European Union and has its own currency, the Norwegian kroon. 10 kroner are equivalent to 1 Euro. In practically any trade point, it is possible to make both cash and non-cash payment. Credit cards are not accepted unless in city buses and in spontaneous street markets.

Shops in Norway open at 9-10 am and close early, often at 4-5 pm. Once a week, the outlets in large cities are closed a little later, at 7-8 pm. On Saturdays, working hours end at 3-4 pm. Supermarkets are open from Mondays to Saturdays and close at 7-11 pm daily. Single retail chains and gas stations work on Sundays. In the latter, you can taste delicious and cheap bites of sausages, sandwiches, donuts. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

A pleasant privilege for tourists is the Tax-Free Shopping system. In more than 3,000 stores with a purchase of 308 kroner, a foreign buyer receives a special check for the amount of VAT set in the cost of the goods (11-18%). This check can be cashed at the exit, before crossing the border, at the airport or at the railway station.

In Oslo, Bergen, Alesund, Trondheim and other large cities, there are supermarket chains that are considered inexpensive. These are Kiwi, Bunnpris, RIMI and REMA 1000. Here you will find a good selection of quality products, household goods and clothing. There are chains of small shops (Nr, Joker, 7-eleven, Narvesen) that close a little later, and work on Sundays. The prices in them however, are very high, and the choice is limited. In supermarkets, you can buy the famous Norwegian brown cheese “Brunost”, or pamper yourself with various local delicacies: peeled shrimps, crayfish tails or smoked salmon. On the other hand, to get alcoholic beverages is challenging. In retail chains, only low-alcoholic beverages are sold (up to 5% alcoholic content). Stronger alcoholic drinks can only be found in state-owned stores Vinmonopolet. They work on weekdays until 6 pm.

Special delicious Norwegian chocolate can be made in the shop-confectionery Geiranger Sjokolade in the village Geiranger. Cakes, pastries, and handmade chocolates from natural ingredients can be tried right on the spot. As a souvenir, you can buy a ready-made chocolate set.

It is profitable to make large purchases of winter and sports clothes in Norway. Norwegian duck-down jackets, overalls, parkas and coats are very durable. Not far from Oslo are situated Norwegian Outlets where you can find Scandinavian brand clothes including Fergo Norge and Bergans, with good discounts. Bright, functional ski clothing is offered by the Norrona Outlet Store in the town of Vestby. Here, pleasant discounts of up to 70% on collections of past seasons, friendly sellers and a good cafeteria are at your disposal.

Norway is washed by three seas. Fishery and the production of accessories for this craft, is very developed in the country. Here you can buy high quality sea fishing equipment. Once in Bodo, Tromso or Leknes, be sure to check out the street sales or the Coop Prix stores. Norway’s most famous fish market is located in Bergen on Torget Square. It works all year round from 7 am to 5-7 pm. Here, there is a real abundance of fish. Also on offer are; Kamchatka crabs, fat lobsters, smoked and raw salmon, royal prawns, red, black and white caviar. You can buy delicious sausage from deer meat or whale.

The Norwegian tradition of knitting began to grow from the 19th century. Nowadays, knitted sweaters, hats and mittens are the trademark of the country. Products made of wool can be bought in every remote village, not to mention the cities. The world of Norwegian patterns is huge and amazing. The products are so high-quality that they can be passed on as inheritance. In 1879, one of the most famous textile factories in Europe, Dale of Norway, was created. In Stavanger and Oslo, you will find retail stores of this company.

Once upon a time, Vikings-Scandinavian warriors, artisans and traders lived in this northern edge. They are known for their courage, abilities, and also cruelty. Figures of the Vikings and their ships are a great gift from Norway. If however, the “evil warriors” do not draw your attention, you can go for the rather cute and funny trolls. Norwegians believe that in ancient times when the whole earth was covered with ice, these creatures with four fingers, a tail and a huge nose inhabited the mountain peaks. Thousands of different trolls live in Oslo City, the largest store in the country. It is recommended you buy them in pairs in order they do not play ticks.