Norway’s core retail sales turned positive in August 2026, signaling a modest improvement in consumer spending momentum after a weak July. According to data updated on 28 September 2026, core retail sales rose 0.6% month-over-month in August, following a 0.7% month-on-month decline in July 2026.
The shift from -0.7% to +0.6% on a month-over-month basis suggests that retail activity stabilized and then strengthened as summer progressed. The “actual” August reading compares activity in August to July, while the “previous” figure reflects the month-on-month change recorded in July relative to June. While the latest increase is not dramatic, it marks a clear reversal from the prior month’s contraction and may ease immediate concerns about a deeper slowdown in Norwegian consumer demand.
