Oslo Shopping Guide: Streets, Malls & Norwegian Brands
Oslo offers diverse shopping from high-end fashion on Bogstadveien to vintage treasures in Grünerløkka, Norwegian design at Aker Brygge, and everything in between. While prices are high, quality is excellent and you'll find unique Scandinavian brands unavailable elsewhere. Tax-free shopping available for non-EU visitors (up to 19% refund). Best shopping districts: Karl Johans gate (mainstream), Grünerløkka (independent boutiques), Aker Brygge (upscale), and Majorstuen (local favorite).
Top Shopping Streets
Karl Johans gate (Main Street)
Best for: Mainstream shopping, international chains, souvenirs, convenience.
- Length: 1 km pedestrian street from Oslo S to Royal Palace
- Stores: H&M, Zara, Mango, Nike, Starbucks, 7-Eleven
- Norwegian brands: Helly Hansen, Dale of Norway, Bruuns Bazaar
- Department stores: Steen & Strøm (high-end), GlasMagasinet
- Atmosphere: Busy, tourist-heavy, street performers
Tip: Best for first-time visitors. Covered shopping if weather bad. Tax-free available most stores.
Bogstadveien (Local Favorite)
Best for: Mix of chains and independent stores, local shopping street, less touristy.
- Length: 1.5 km from Majorstuen to Solli plass
- Stores: Fashion boutiques, bookstores, home decor, cafes
- Vibe: Upscale residential area, locals shopping
- Highlights: Norli bookstore, Vinmonopolet, various fashion brands
Access: Metro to Majorstuen or tram 11/12. More authentic Oslo shopping experience.
Grünerløkka (Vintage & Independent)
Best for: Vintage clothing, independent boutiques, unique finds, hipster vibe.
- Main streets: Markveien, Thorvald Meyers gate
- Stores: Vintage shops, record stores, design boutiques, craft stores
- Specialties: Second-hand clothing, Norwegian design, handmade items
- Atmosphere: Trendy, alternative, young crowd
Highlights: UFF (charity shop with quality vintage), Robot, various independent boutiques.
Aker Brygge / Tjuvholmen (Upscale Waterfront)
Best for: High-end shopping, designer brands, waterfront dining, luxury experience.
- Stores: Designer boutiques, Norwegian design shops, jewelry
- Setting: Converted wharf, waterfront walkways, modern architecture
- Brands: Peak Performance, Moods of Norway, Holzweiler
- Combine with: Dining, waterfront walk, museum visits
Shopping Malls
Oslo City Shopping Center
Location: Connected to Oslo S (Central Station)
Stores: 90+ shops, 3 floors
Highlights: H&M, Zara, Bik Bok, Cubus, electronics, supermarket, pharmacy. Food court with international options.
Hours: Mon-Fri 10 AM-9 PM, Sat 10 AM-8 PM
Best for: Convenient shopping near train station, all-in-one stop, budget-friendly chains.
Byporten Shopping
Location: Also connected to Oslo S
Stores: 70+ shops
Specialties: Fashion, cosmetics, bookstore, supermarket. More upscale than Oslo City.
Adjacent to Oslo City, slightly higher-end selection. Easy to visit both in one trip.
Steen & Strøm Department Store
Location: Karl Johans gate (city center)
Floors: 6 floors luxury shopping
Brands: Designer fashion, cosmetics, home goods. Norway's premier department store since 1797.
High-end shopping, excellent service, tax-free available. Food hall in basement.
Storo Storsenter (Suburban Mall)
Location: Northern Oslo (metro line 4/5 to Storo)
Stores: 120+ shops, largest in Oslo
Best for: Locals, IKEA, electronics (Elkjøp), wide selection, less crowded than city center.
Norwegian Brands Worth Buying
Fashion & Outdoor
- Helly Hansen: Technical outdoor wear, sailing gear, waterproof jackets. Available worldwide but cheaper in Norway.
- Dale of Norway: Traditional wool sweaters, iconic Norwegian patterns, high quality. 1,500-3,000 NOK.
- Devold: Merino wool base layers, outdoor clothing. Superior quality wool products.
- Norrøna: Premium outdoor gear, skiing, mountaineering. Expensive but exceptional quality.
- Holzweiler: Contemporary fashion, scarves, minimalist Nordic design. 800-3,000 NOK.
- Moods of Norway: Colorful Norwegian fashion, playful designs.
Design & Home
- Magnor Glassverk: Hand-blown Norwegian glass, beautiful pieces. 200-2,000 NOK.
- Hadeland Glassverk: Traditional glassware since 1765.
- Røros Tweed: Luxury wool blankets, textiles. 1,500-4,000 NOK.
- Northern Lighting: Designer lamps, Scandinavian lighting.
- Stelton: Danish-Norwegian homeware, minimalist design.
Food & Souvenirs
- Kvikk Lunsj: Norwegian chocolate bar (like KitKat), 25-35 NOK
- Freia chocolate: Norway's beloved chocolate brand
- Brunost (brown cheese): Unique Norwegian cheese, 40-80 NOK
- Aquavit: Norwegian spirit, buy at Vinmonopolet
- Smoked salmon: World-renowned Norwegian salmon
- Trolls: Traditional Norwegian troll figurines (touristy but authentic)
Beauty & Skincare
- Eucerin: Pharmacy skincare, high quality, good prices
- Weleda: Natural skincare, widely available
- Skincity: Nordic beauty products
- Apotek 1: Pharmacy brands, better prices than US/UK
Tax-Free Shopping
How Tax-Free Shopping Works
Eligibility: Non-EU/EEA residents visiting Norway. Must take goods out of country within 30 days.
Requirements:
- Minimum purchase: 315 NOK per store
- Refund amount: 12-19% depending on price (higher refund on expensive items)
- Look for: "Tax Free" or "Global Blue" stickers in shop windows
- Need passport: Required when making purchase and claiming refund
Process:
- Shop at tax-free participating stores
- Ask for tax-free form at checkout (show passport)
- Keep receipt and form together
- At airport: Get customs stamp BEFORE checking luggage
- Claim refund at tax-free desk (cash or credit card refund)
- Service fee: 50-70 NOK deducted from refund
Important tips:
- Allow extra 30 minutes at airport for tax-free process
- Customs may ask to see goods (pack accessible)
- Some stores offer instant tax-free (pay reduced price)
- Keep all paperwork until refund processed
More info: Global Blue handles most tax-free refunds in Norway.
Shopping Tips & Practical Info
Opening Hours
- Monday-Friday: 10 AM - 6/7 PM (most stores)
- Thursday: Extended hours until 8/9 PM
- Saturday: 10 AM - 6 PM
- Sunday: Most stores closed (malls/chains may open noon-6 PM)
- Supermarkets: Open longer hours, some until 11 PM
- Gas stations: 24/7, limited selection but convenient
Payment & Prices
- Cards accepted: Everywhere, even small purchases
- Cash: Rarely needed, many places card-only
- Contactless: Widely used, tap to pay common
- Mobile pay: Vipps (Norwegian app) popular with locals
- Price tags: Include VAT (no hidden costs)
- Bargaining: Not part of culture (except flea markets)
Sales & Best Times
- Winter sale: January-February (up to 50% off)
- Summer sale: July-August (30-70% off)
- Black Friday: Late November, increasingly popular
- Boxing Day: December 26, some stores offer deals
- End of season: Best discounts on clothing
- Avoid: December (high prices, crowded)
Returns & Exchange
- By law: No mandatory return policy for in-store purchases
- Most stores: Offer 14-30 day return (check receipt)
- Online purchases: 14-day cooling-off period by law
- Keep receipt: Essential for returns/tax-free
- Original packaging: Usually required for refund
- Sale items: Often final sale, no returns
Budget Shopping Options
Second-Hand & Vintage Shops
UFF (Grünerløkka, Majorstuen): Charity shops with quality vintage clothes, 50-300 NOK items.
Fretex: Salvation Army second-hand, multiple locations, very affordable.
Vestkantorget Flea Market: Saturdays at Majorstuen, second-hand goods, antiques, bargains.
Budget Chains
- Cubus: Affordable fashion, 100-500 NOK items
- Bik Bok: Young fashion, reasonable prices
- KappAhl: Family clothing, budget-friendly
- Lindex: Scandinavian fashion chain, mid-range
Supermarket Shopping
Budget: Rema 1000, Kiwi (cheapest), Extra (discount chain)
Mid-range: Coop, Meny
Buy Norwegian souvenirs (chocolate, cheese) 30-50% cheaper than tourist shops.
Best Souvenirs to Buy
Authentic Norwegian
- Dale of Norway sweater (1,500+ NOK)
- Norwegian wool socks (100-200 NOK)
- Magnor glass (200-1,000 NOK)
- Røros blanket (2,000+ NOK)
- Sami handicrafts (varies)
Food & Drink
- Kvikk Lunsj chocolate (25 NOK)
- Brunost cheese (50 NOK)
- Smoked salmon (150+ NOK)
- Aquavit (250+ NOK)
- Norwegian coffee (80-150 NOK)
Tourist-Friendly
- Troll figurines (50-300 NOK)
- Viking-themed items (50-500 NOK)
- Norwegian flag items (30-200 NOK)
- Oslo postcards/magnets (20-50 NOK)
- Edvard Munch prints (100-500 NOK)
Where to buy: Husfliden (traditional crafts), Norway Designs (souvenirs), airport duty-free (last minute). Avoid: Tourist traps on Karl Johans gate (overpriced).