Industry · municipality
Pharmacies in Bærum
Analysis of the Pharmacy Industry in Bærum Municipality – Companies, Statistics, and Opportunities for Entrepreneurs and Local Decision-Makers
Overview of the Pharmacy Industry in Bærum
Pharmacies in Bærum constitute a stable and growth-oriented sector with 26 registered companies in the municipality. In 2025, the industry achieved a total sales volume of NOK 714 million, with an annual growth rate of +12.1% compared to 2024. Employment trends show a gradual stabilization following a decline between 2020–2021, with 247 employees in 2025. The highest EBITDA margin of 7% and an average labor cost of NOK 2.9 million per employee indicate a profitable industry. SmartGrunder can help entrepreneurs find suitable locations in Bærum for pharmacy activities.
Economic Overview of the Pharmacy Industry
Sales and Employment Development
| Year | Sales (NOK) | Annual Growth | Employees | Annual Growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 438.8M | - | 259 | - |
| 2017 | 389.7M | -11.2% | 255 | -1.5% |
| 2018 | 645.0M | +65.5% | 259 | +1.6% |
| 2019 | 628.9M | -2.5% | 263 | +1.5% |
| 2020 | 624.0M | -0.8% | 244 | -7.2% |
| 2021 | 609.3M | -2.3% | 235 | -3.7% |
| 2022 | 646.9M | +6.2% | 250 | +6.4% |
| 2023 | 595.8M | -7.9% | 256 | +2.4% |
| 2024 | 637.0M | +6.9% | 240 | -6.2% |
| 2025 | 714.0M | +12.1% | 247 | +2.9% |
Key Figures
- Highest Sales: 2018 (NOK 645 million)
- Lowest Sales: 2017 (NOK 389.7 million)
- Largest Workforce: 2019 (263 employees)
- Smallest Workforce: 2020 (244 employees)
The industry experienced significant growth in 2018, but has since experienced fluctuations. The most significant sales growth occurred in 2025, with an increase of +12.1% compared to 2024.
Companies in the Pharmacy Industry
Registered Companies in the Industry
In Bærum, 26 companies are registered in the pharmacy industry, of which 16 are listed in the data. The most well-known companies include:
- Apotek 1 Sandvika Storsenter (Brodtkorbsgate 7, Sandvika) – 33 employees, AS (limited liability company) structure
- Vitusapotek Sandvika (Leif Tronstads plass 4, Sandvika) – 25 employees, AS (limited liability company) structure
- Apotek 1 Bekkestua (Gamle Ringeriksvei 31, Bekkestua) – 24 employees, AS (limited liability company) structure
- Apotek 1 Rykkinn Senter (Muninsvei 1, Rykkinn) – 23 employees, AS (limited liability company) structure
Organizational Forms
- AS is the dominant organizational form, with 22 companies and 301 employees.
- Some companies have zero sales or negative operating results, such as Stabekk Apotek As (Gamle Drammensvei 38, Stabekk).
Business Geography in the Pharmacy Industry
Distribution of Activities by Sub-District
| Sub-District | Number of Companies | Employees | Sales (NOK) | EBITDA (NOK) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sandvika | 4 | 78 | 184.8M | 11.2M |
| Bekkestua | 4 | 57 | 123.4M | 7.0M |
| Rykkinn | 2 | 37 | 90.3M | 5.8M |
| Lysaker | 2 | 25 | 70.9M | 4.4M |
| Eiksmarka | 1 | 20 | 38.7M | 2.8M |
| Fornebu | 1 | 16 | 38.7M | 2.8M |
| Stabekk | 1 | 14 | 0 | 0 |
| Bærums Verk | 1 | 13 | 23.6M | 1.5M |
Observations
- Sandvika and Bekkestua are the most active sub-districts with 4 companies each.
- Stabekk and Vøyenenga have no sales or zero operating results.
- Kolsås and Høvik have lower EBITDA margins (1%) compared to other sub-districts.
Business Dynamics and Bankruptcy Statistics
Bankruptcy and Industry Dynamics
- None of the registered companies are in bankruptcy (marked as not BANKRUPT in the data).
- Stabekk Apotek As (Gamle Drammensvei 38, Stabekk) has zero sales and zero operating result, which may indicate stagnation or reduced activity.
- Boots Apotek Bekkestua (Gamle Ringeriksvei 33, Bekkestua) has a low EBITDA margin (1%) and zero sales growth.
Conclusion
The industry shows stability, but some companies have reduced operating results or stagnant activity. There are no bankruptcies, but profitability varies between companies.
Outlook for Entrepreneurs in the Pharmacy Industry
Outlook for Entrepreneurs
- Highest sales growth occurred in 2025 with +12.1% compared to 2024.
- High EBITDA margin (5–7%) and high average sales per employee (NOK 2.9 million) indicate profitability.
- Competition is strong in sub-districts such as Sandvika and Bekkestua, where there are 4 companies each.
- Lower EBITDA margins (1%) in Kolsås and Høvik may be a challenge for new companies.
SmartGrunder can help entrepreneurs find suitable locations in Bærum for pharmacy activities, with a focus on stable markets and high EBITDA margins.
Outlook for the Craftsmanship Sector
Craftsmanship Sector as a Benchmark Group
- The craftsmanship sector has 29 companies in Bærum, 3 companies more than the pharmacy industry.
- Sales in the craftsmanship sector grew by +11.4% in 2025, compared to +12.1% in the pharmacy industry.
- Employment growth in the craftsmanship sector was +14.3% in 2026, while the pharmacy industry had +18.2% in 2026.
Peer Companies in the Craftsmanship Sector
| Name | Address | Sales (NOK) | Employees | EBITDA (NOK) | Industry |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Synsam Sandvika Storsenter | Sandviksveien 176, 1337 Sandvika | 14.9M | 10 | 2.8M | Medical/Orthopedic Goods Retail |
| Optiker Geir Krogh As | Brodtkorbsgate 7, 1338 Sandvika | 33.5M | 26 | 2.5M | Medical/Orthopedic Goods Retail |
| Krogh Optikk Fornebu | Snarøyveien 55, 1364 Fornebu | 9.4M | 7 | 1.2M | Medical/Orthopedic Goods Retail |
Conclusion
The craftsmanship sector has a larger number of companies, but the pharmacy industry shows higher sales growth and better EBITDA margins. This can be an advantage for entrepreneurs in the pharmacy industry.
Other companies in håndverk (not in pharmacy)
| Company | Industry | Address | Sales | Employees | EBITDA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Synsam Sandvika Storsenter | medical/orthopaedic goods store | Sandviksveien 176, 1337 Sandvika | NOK 14.9M | 10 | NOK 2.8M |
| Optiker Geir Krogh As | medical/orthopaedic goods store | Brodtkorbsgate 7, 1338 Sandvika | NOK 33.5M | 26 | NOK 2.5M |
| Krogh Optikk Fornebu | medical/orthopaedic goods store | Snarøyveien 55, 1364 Fornebu | NOK 9.4M | 7 | NOK 1.2M |
Conclusion
The pharmacy industry in Bærum shows stable growth trends and high EBITDA margins, making it a profitable and attractive sector for entrepreneurs. With 26 companies and 247 employees in 2025, as well as highest sales in 2025 (NOK 714 million), there are clear growth opportunities. At the same time, competition is stronger in sub-districts such as Sandvika and Bekkestua. SmartGrunder can help entrepreneurs find suitable locations and market analysis in Bærum.