The Norwegian competition authority has released its grocery report for 2025, indicating a notable reduction in the number of exclusive lease agreements and negative covenants in the grocery market over recent years.

According to competition director Mads Magnussen, access to suitable retail spaces is crucial for competition in the grocery sector. The decrease in exclusive agreements and negative covenants that hinder the establishment of competing grocery stores strengthens the potential for real competition.

Since 2020, the authority has focused on factors limiting access to property as significant barriers to entry in the grocery market. The report highlights that while exclusive lease agreements have decreased, other types of agreements may still restrict competition, necessitating ongoing monitoring.

Magnussen noted that the observed trends suggest that the government's persistent focus on property access has had a disciplining effect on market players. Public attention through surveys, disclosure obligations, regulatory changes, and other measures can encourage actors to adapt and remove barriers to competition.

The report also reveals that the Norwegian grocery market remains dominated by a few large players with stable national market shares. However, there are significant discrepancies between national figures and local competition conditions in the six largest municipalities.

According to department director Beate Berrefjord, consumer choices are largely determined by local competition. In several large municipalities, one or two chains hold very strong market positions, making local competition analysis particularly important.

Additionally, the report shows a moderate increase in the share of private label products (PLP) from 23.1% in 2022 to 24.2% in 2025, primarily occurring in 2022 during a period of rising grocery prices. However, the PLP share in Norway remains lower than the European average of approximately 40%.

Berrefjord emphasized that while private labels can enhance price competition, their significance must be assessed in light of competition conditions within each product category.

The grocery report also compiles various surveys and analyses conducted by the competition authority on behalf of the government, providing better insights into the grocery market and a stronger basis for identifying and addressing competition challenges.