Industry · municipality
The Pharmacy Industry in Alta: Industry Analysis and Development Trends
A detailed analysis of companies, statistics, and opportunities for entrepreneurs and local decision-makers in Alta, Troms, and Finnmark.
Executive Summary
The pharmacy industry in Alta has proven to be a stable, yet varied sector with four registered companies and 69 employees in 2026. Key characteristics include a high gross profit margin of 565%, but a low operating profit margin of 2%. The four companies primarily operate in Alta, with a combination of AS organizational forms. The industry has experienced both strong growth periods and challenges, particularly in 2022, but has since recovered with a growth rate of 21.3% from 2022 to 2023. This demonstrates visual resilience within the sector, although there are variations in individual company performance.
Economic Overview
Economic Trends
Sales and Employees:
- Sales: From NOK 79.1 million in 2016 to NOK 128.1 million in 2026, with a 62% growth over the period. The most significant growth was recorded from 2022 to 2023 (+142.3%), while a decline of 7.2% was recorded from 2025 to 2026.
- Employees: The number of employees has varied between 39 and 69 over the period, with an increase from 39 in 2021 to 63 in 2026 (+61.5%).
Margins and Operating Results:
- EBITDA margin: Remained around 2% throughout the period, with a slight improvement from 2023 to 2024.
- Gross profit: Maintained a high level of 565%, but operating profit has been weak at 2%.
Operating result per employee: NOK 53,100 per employee in 2026, which demonstrates efficient operations within the sector.



Companies in the Industry
Registered Companies
The following four companies are registered in the pharmacy industry in Alta:
| Company | Address | Organizational Form | Employees | Sales (2026) | EBITDA (2026) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apotek 1 Alta | Bjørn Wirkolas vei 15 | AS | 31 | NOK 231.6M | NOK 5.0M |
| Apotek 1 Nordlys | Markedsgata 21-25 | AS | 28 | NOK 0 | NOK 0 |
| Boots Apotek Elvebakken Alta | Altaveien 281 | AS | 10 | NOK 15.0M | NOK 270.9K |
| Apo Invest As | Bjørn Wirkolas vei 15 | AS | 0 | NOK 0 | NOK -192.0K |
Organizational Form: All companies are registered as AS (Anonymous Companies), which indicates a standardized structure within the sector.
Specific Observations:
- Apo Invest As has no employees and negative EBITDA, which may indicate a specific operational model or challenges.
- Apotek 1 Nordlys has no sales or operating results in 2026, which may indicate a temporary pause or restructuring.
Geographic Distribution
All four companies in the pharmacy industry in Alta are registered in the Alta area. There is no subdivision of activity to other city districts or municipalities. This indicates that the industry is centrally located in the municipality's main town, Alta. This can be an advantage for entrepreneurs seeking to establish themselves in an already established sector, but may also indicate a concentration of activity that could lead to competitive pressure.

Operational Efficiency and Dynamics
Operational Efficiency and Risk
Bankruptcies: None of the four companies are registered as bankrupt, which indicates a stable sector.
Operating Results: There are significant variations between the companies:
- Apotek 1 Alta has high sales and operating results.
- Apo Invest As has negative EBITDA and no employees, which may be a unique situation.
- Apotek 1 Nordlys has no operating results, which may be a temporary situation.
Operational Efficiency: Although all companies are in operation, the variations in operating results indicate challenges in maintaining consistent profitability. This may be a consequence of market conditions, competitive ability, or specific operational challenges.
Outlook
Outlook for Entrepreneurs
Positive: The industry has shown resilience, with a growth rate of 21.3% from 2022 to 2023 and a high gross profit margin of 565%. This indicates a potentially profitable market, especially with high demand for pharmacy services in Alta.
Challenges: There are significant variations in individual company performance, and there is a risk that a new entrant may face competitive pressure from established companies. This is particularly relevant for Apotek 1 Alta, which has high sales and operating results.
Recommendation: Entrepreneurs should consider establishing themselves in Alta, but should conduct a thorough analysis of competitors and market conditions. SmartGrunder can help find suitable addresses and investigations in Alta for the pharmacy industry.
Conclusion
The pharmacy industry in Alta shows potential for growth and stability, with a high gross profit margin and resilience in operating results. Although there are variations in individual company performance, the sector is generally stable. Entrepreneurs should consider establishing themselves in Alta, but should conduct a thorough analysis of competitors and market conditions. SmartGrunder can help find suitable addresses and investigations in Alta for the pharmacy industry.