The crucial place VAT-free sales have in department store retail has been shown by the latest results from Oslo’s Steen & Strom. Tax-free sales surged 27% in the first eight months of 2025 and overall transactions grew 16% with average spend up 9%. The figures show how big a part tax-free sales play for such retailers and in August alone, tax-free sales grew by 34%, according to data from Global Blue. That spectacular August result came despite the month having one less shopping day compared to August 2024.

Steen & Strom’s 1,000 brands proved most popular with Chinese shoppers, followed by visitors from the US, UK, Thailand and India. In June, Steen & Strom launched a new tax-free refund service on Level 5 within the store’s Tech Hall. The service is available not only to Steen & Strom visitors but also to shoppers from Promenaden and Greater Oslo. Since launch, the desk has quickly become the second most frequented VAT reclaim location in Norway, after Gardermoen Airport, based on transactions during July and August 2025. The retailer also said that it anticipates the year-to-date growth trend will remain in strong double digits through the remainder of 2025.