The Norwegian Wine and Spirits Monopoly
Vinmonopolet has the exclusive right to retail wine, spirits and strong beer in Norway. The products are purchased through importers holding the required licence for import.
How to sell wine, spirit and beer to Vinmonopolet
Vinmonopolet purchase the products from importers holding the required licence and who have signed a purchase agreement with Vinmonopolet. Approximately 200 wholesalers have signed this agreement.
By the end of December 2008 there were 239 shops in four different categories.
Where to find information on what products Vinmonopolet is planning to purchase?
Vinmonopolet is distributing a Market- and Product plan twice a year. This plan is available for the wholesalers and covers what Vinmonopolet is planning to purchase to the basic- and one lot range for a 12 month period. It is lining up detailed specifications for the first six month period and presents the planned purchase for the following period in a summary listing how many types of products, from which countries of origin and range.
How do Vinmonopolet purchase their products?
Vinmonopolet presents the inquiries for the basic- and one lot range every second month. These are based on the specifications presented in the Market- and Product plan. All tenders in accordance with the specifications are blind tested by a tasting panel consisting of people educated by Vinmonopolet for this purpose. Quality, price and delivery conditions are part of the evaluation criteria for purchase.
How many products are purchased and listed by Vinmonopolet? Vinmonopolet is launching new products every second month. Approx. 270 products are purchased per year. More than 10 000 products are listed in different ranges.
Delivery requirements
Required quantity for products listed in the one lot range lies between 120 and 2 400 bottles. Vinmonopolet has not defined a minimum quantity regarding products to be listed in the basic range but the wholesalers are required to send a notification of storage one month ahead of launching date.
For how long can a product purchased by Vinmonopolet be listed in the price list?
The Market- and Product plan gives a summary of required sales (in litres) within the different groups of products divided in price segments. Delisting of a product is based on sales within a 12 month period.
How to sell wine, spirit and beer in the shops without issuing a tender to Vinmonopolet?
To order range:
This range was established to make it possible for the wholesalers to list products without submitting a tender to Vinmonopolet. Products presented in this range are in subject to the same delivery requirements as products purchased to the basic- and one lot range.
Additional range:
This range was established to make it possible for the wholesalers to list products which are not stored in Norway. The wholesalers are required to deliver the products to the same price all over the country, but have the possibility to reserve themselves for delivery of less than a package unit. Products presented in this range can be stored in the shops when presented in a local listing.
Test range:
This is an independent range which was established to secure access of products to the Norwegian market without using the ordinary purchasing channel through Vinmonopolet.
Who can sell beer, wine and spirit to hotels and restaurants?
Importers who hold the required licence.
