The Pharmacy Industry in Askøy: Industry Analysis and Development Trends

The pharmacy industry in Askøy has shown both stability and variation over time. There are 8 companies registered in the municipality, with a total of 60 employees in 2026. Sales have grown from 2016 to 2024, reaching a peak of NOK 163.6 million in 2024, before declining to NOK 146.1 million in 2025. The workforce increased until 2022, but has since stabilized. None of the companies in the industry are registered as bankrupt, indicating a relatively stable industry structure. Future prospects will depend on both local needs and competition among existing players.

Sales in the pharmacy industry in Askøy have shown significant variations over time. From NOK 67.7 million in 2016, sales fell by 50.5% to NOK 33.5 million in 2017, before rising sharply by 156% in 2018. This growth has remained relatively stable until 2024, when sales reached NOK 163.6 million. In 2025, however, a decline of 10.6% to NOK 146.1 million was recorded. The workforce grew by 65 people from 2016 to 2022, before stabilizing at 60 employees in 2026. EBITDA margins range between 3% and 7%, with an average margin of approximately 5%.

There are 8 companies registered in the pharmacy industry in Askøy, distributed as follows:

Most companies are organized as AS, and two of them (Elvastrøm As and Finmed Holding As) have no employees or income. None of the companies are registered as bankrupt, indicating a stable industry structure.

Pharmacy activity in Askøy is divided into three main areas:

1. Kleppestø: 4 companies, 44 employees, operating income of NOK 116.2 million, sales of NOK 114.7 million, and EBITDA of NOK 7.4 million. The largest companies here are Apotek 1 Askøy and Apotek 1 Kleppestø.
2. Hauglandshella: 1 company (Ravnanger Apotek As), 8 employees, operating income of NOK 32.0 million, and EBITDA of NOK 1.6 million.
3. Strusshamn: 1 company (Strusshamn Apotek As), 7 employees, operating income of NOK 14.4 million, and EBITDA of NOK 710,000. Strusshamn had a negative income growth of -8% in 2024.

The industry has shown relative stability regarding bankruptcy. None of the 8 companies in the industry are registered as bankrupt, indicating good financing and operational strategies. However, there are some companies with negative or zero income:

• Elvastrøm As and Finmed Holding As have no employees or income, which may indicate they are not actively operating.
• Strusshamn Apotek As had a negative income growth of -8% in 2024, which could be a challenge for future growth.

These companies should be monitored to ensure they do not become a burden on the industry.

Outlooks for the pharmacy industry in Askøy show both opportunities and challenges. Sales grew strongly until 2024, but declined by 10.6% in 2025. This may indicate that market conditions or competition have changed. The workforce has stabilized at 60 employees, which may signal that the industry has reached a level of maturity. For entrepreneurs, it may be possible to find space in Kleppestø, where there is the most activity, but it should also be considered to investigate Strusshamn more closely, where there are potential challenges. SmartGrunder can help find suitable locations and assess operational conditions in the municipality.

The pharmacy industry in Askøy has proven to be a stable and important part of the municipality's economy. With 8 companies and 60 employees in 2026, as well as a sales volume of over NOK 146 million, the industry is an important contributor to local revenues. Outlooks for the future indicate that further development is possible, especially in Kleppestø, where there is the most activity. However, companies such as Strusshamn Apotek As, which had a negative income growth in 2024, should be monitored. For entrepreneurs, it may be possible to find space in the municipality, but it is important to consider both local needs and competition.