A Shopping Charter

The retail trade in Norrkoping is unique. Looking at the total turnover of 5 billion SEK, people from other cities buy goods for 20% of total turnover. The trade is increasing, both in the centre of the city and in the external shopping centres. So many people coming here for shopping prove how excellent Norrkoping is as a market place. There are other cities interested in how Norrkoping has succeeded. However, competition between cities runs the development.

In the centre of the town there are three shopping centres with 130 shops. The shops have also agreed on joint advertising, which gives a higher grade of visibility at a lower price. Also, outside the city you find shopping centres open daily. Both centres show a very positive development and increase their turnover every year.

Increasing trade both in the city centre and in the external shopping centres is something quite unusual. It is the good co-operation within the trade organisation and the municipal authorities that is essential. Good results are due to the open dialogue in a long-term perspective to give the consumers a complete supply instead of competing. The prolonged opening hours and the establishments of new shops have created many new jobs in the city centre.

To maintain a "living" city with a mixture of big chains and smaller, local shops are needed, and it is important that new shops get established from time to time. Therefore it is not negatively considered when a shop or a concept leaves, it gives space to a new one knocking at the door.

Who knows what will come out of the dialogue between actors within the trade and the culture and tourism sector. Is there a possibility of "shopping charter"?

The expectations for the future are high, and the interest of establishing new shops and business concepts in Norrkoping is increasing. The university, the new high-speed train connection "Ostlanken" and the airport are very important for further development of Norrkoping's trade. From a political point of view it is emphasised that development of the retail trade is important for the city as a whole. Therefore, an investigation of all retail trade is being carried out. The result of this investigation will show what the consequences will be of different decisions and will be a very useful guideline for local politicians. A retail trade policy will be at hand in the end of 2003.