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Christmas Price War Fizzles: Norwegian Shoppers Find Little Cheer in 2025 Deals
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Norwegian consumers are expressing disappointment as this year’s pre-Christmas price war appears considerably less aggressive than in years past, with many questioning whether it qualifies as a “price war” at all.A recent check by Nettavisen reveals that the savings on traditional christmas fare are dramatically smaller compared to 2023,leaving shoppers with considerably less purchasing power.
A Dramatic Shift from Bountiful Bags
In previous years, a budget of NOK 100 coudl fill a shopping bag with a significant amount of Christmas food. In 2023, the price competition was fierce, allowing consumers to maximize their spending. However, the landscape has changed drastically. “The bag has become half full,” according to observations from Nettavisen’s price comparison.
A comparison of shopping baskets at major chains – Kiwi, Rema 1000, and Extra – illustrates the stark difference. In 2023, a full basket at each store could be purchased for approximately NOK 100. Now, in 2025, those same baskets cost significantly more:
- Kiwi: Increased from NOK 99.21 in 2023 to NOK 150.71 in 2025 (+52%)
- Rema 1000: Increased from NOK 99.18 in 2023 to NOK 187.28 in 2025 (+89%)
- Extra: Increased from NOK 99.20 in 2023 to NOK 152.66 in 2025 (+54%)
Key Items See Price Hikes
The price increases are not uniform across all products. While some items,like gingerbread,are slightly cheaper than in 2023 (now costing NOK 4.90 compared to NOK 7.90), many staples have seen substantial price jumps.
Such as:
- Sauerkraut and Red Cabbage: Increased from NOK 6-7 in 2023 to NOK 10-11 in 2025.
- Geisha Porridge: while currently discounted, the price has doubled, rising from NOK 12 in 2023 to NOK 24.
- Beetroot and Pickles: Prices have tripled or quadrupled compared to 2023.
One shopper in nettavisen’s Facebook group, “Grocery Prices,” expressed the sentiment of many, stating, “Simply tame things. Can it really be called a price war?” Another commented, “Has hardly noticed anything that ther is a price war.”
Retailer response: A Shift in Strategy?
Retailers acknowledge a change in tactics. A senior official at Extra and its parent company, Coop, suggested the perceived lack of intensity is “problably linked to the fact that there are fewer individual items at extremely low prices.” However, they highlighted continued competition on specific products, such as gingerbread, which was reduced to NOK 4.90 after initially being priced at NOK 5 on november 8th.
Kiwi echoed this sentiment, stating that “Exactly what is on sale and pushed down a lot in price can vary from year to year.”
Rema 1000, however, indicated a broader strategic shift.According to a purchasing director at Rema 1000, the chain has focused on ensuring the lowest overall cost for the entire Christmas basket, rather than aggressively discounting individual items. They also pointed to their recent success in a food exchange competition in VG.
The diminished price war of 2025 reflects a changing retail landscape, leaving Norwegian consumers to grapple with higher costs as they prepare for the holiday season.
Did you know?– norway’s consumer price index rose 5.9% in the year to October 2024, contributing to reduced purchasing power for holiday shoppers.
Pro tip:– compare prices across multiple retailers and consider store brands to maximize savings on Christmas groceries.
Reader question:– Why are some items cheaper this year? Retailers are strategically
