Pharmacies in Fredrikstad: Industry Overview and Outlook

Pharmacies in Fredrikstad form a stable and growth-oriented sector with 21 registered companies in the municipality. In recent years, the industry has shown positive development, with increasing sales and number of employees. EBITDA margins are at 7%, indicating good financial health for most businesses. There are no bankrupt registered companies in the industry, suggesting a robust sector. SmartGrunder can help entrepreneurs find suitable locations in the municipality to establish new pharmacies.

Economic Trends

Sales and Employees:

• Sales: In 2025, the industry had total sales of NOK 510.3 million, an increase of 26.6% compared to 2024. There was a significant decline in 2017 (−50.3%), but a strong increase from 2018 to 2019 (+135.8%).
• Employees: The number of employees increased by 11.2% from 2025 to 2026, from 187 to 208 employees.

Table: Annual Development

Economic Indicators:

• EBITDA margins are at 7%, indicating good financial health for most businesses.
• Average income per employee is NOK 2.9 million, suggesting efficient operations.

Registered Companies

In Fredrikstad, there are 21 registered companies in the pharmacy industry. The most well-known companies include:

• Apotek 1 Wilbergjordet (Wilbergjordet 10, Fredrikstad): AS, 20 employees, established 2013-04-15.
• Apotek 1 Hjorten Fredrikstad (Stortorvet 1, Fredrikstad): AS, 18 employees, established 1965-12-31.
• Apotek 1 Værstetorvet (Jens Wilhelmsens gate 7, Kråkerøy): AS, 18 employees, established 2024-01-01.

Organizational Forms:

• AS is the most common organizational form, with 18 companies and 215 employees.
• Most companies have positive operations, but some have zero sales and employees, such as Pancoveien Apotek As and Hassingen Apotek As.

Bankruptcy Statistics:

• There are no bankrupt registered companies in the industry, suggesting a stable sector.

Geographic Distribution

Pharmacies in Fredrikstad are distributed across several areas in the municipality. The most active areas include:

1. Fredrikstad:

• Number of companies: 5
• Employees: 68
• Sales: NOK 96.7M
• EBITDA: NOK 7.1M

2. Kråkerøy:

• Number of companies: 3
• Employees: 40
• Sales: NOK 83.0M
• EBITDA: NOK 4.7M

3. Gressvik:

• Number of companies: 3
• Employees: 36
• Sales: NOK 19.3M
• EBITDA: NOK 1.4M

4. Rolvsøy:

• Number of companies: 2
• Employees: 26
• Sales: NOK 73.0M
• EBITDA: NOK 4.5M

5. Gamle Fredrikstad:

• Number of companies: 2
• Employees: 25
• Sales: NOK 50.5M
• EBITDA: NOK 3.6M

6. Sellebakk:

• Number of companies: 2
• Employees: 16
• Sales: NOK 35.5M
• EBITDA: NOK 2.2M

7. Manstad:

• Number of companies: 1
• Employees: 4
• Sales: NOK 10.0M
• EBITDA: NOK 0.18M

The most active areas are Fredrikstad and Kråkerøy, with higher numbers of companies and employees.

Bankruptcy Statistics:

• There are no bankrupt registered companies in the pharmacy industry in Fredrikstad, suggesting a stable sector.

Operational Results:

• Most companies have positive operations, with EBITDA margins at 7%. Some companies, such as Pancoveien Apotek As and Hassingen Apotek As, have zero sales and employees, which may indicate that they are newly established or not in operation.

Operational Economics:

• Average income per employee is NOK 2.9 million, indicating efficient operations.
• The most profitable companies have higher EBITDA margins, such as Apotek 1 Hjorten Fredrikstad (7%) and Apotek 1 Værstetorvet (7%).

Outlook for Entrepreneurs

The pharmacy industry in Fredrikstad shows potential opportunities for entrepreneurs, especially with the positive development in sales and number of employees. In recent years, the industry has shown strong growth, with a 26.6% increase in sales from 2024 to 2025. This suggests a good market potential for new businesses.

Critical Factors:

• Some companies have zero sales and employees, which may indicate that they are newly established or not in operation. Entrepreneurs should therefore consider establishing themselves in areas with existing pharmacies, such as Fredrikstad and Kråkerøy.
• EBITDA margins are at 7%, indicating good financial health for most businesses. This can provide entrepreneurs with opportunities to compete effectively.

SmartGrunder can help entrepreneurs find suitable locations in the municipality to establish new pharmacies, with a focus on areas with high activity and good financial health.

The Craft Sector in Fredrikstad has 23 companies, indicating that it is broader than the pharmacy industry. However, the craft sector has similar sales development to the pharmacy industry, with a 26.6% increase from 2024 to 2025. This suggests that the craft sector can provide entrepreneurs with opportunities to establish themselves in the municipality.

Peer Companies:

• Medi Partner As Avd Butikk (Rolvsøyveien 121, 1617 Fredrikstad): 0 employees, NOK 0 in sales, NOK 0 in EBITDA.
• Syn Holding As (Løenveien 5, 1653 Sellebakk): 0 employees, NOK 0 in sales, NOK -22.0K in EBITDA.

Conclusion:

• The craft sector has potential opportunities for entrepreneurs, but it is important to consider EBITDA margins and operational economics before establishment. The pharmacy industry has a more stable financial health compared to the craft sector.

Pharmacies in Fredrikstad form a stable and growth-oriented sector with 21 registered companies in the municipality. In recent years, the industry has shown positive development, with increasing sales and number of employees. EBITDA margins are at 7%, indicating good financial health for most businesses. There are no bankrupt registered companies in the industry, suggesting a robust sector. SmartGrunder can help entrepreneurs find suitable locations in the municipality to establish new pharmacies.