The Pharmacy Industry in Holmestrand: Current Status and Future Prospects

The pharmacy industry in Holmestrand has proven to be a stable, yet variable sector with both strong and weak development trends. In recent years, the number of employees in the sector has varied between 22 and 39, with a significant increase of 68.2% from 2019 to 2020. This may be due to increased demand for pharmacy services during the pandemic. At the same time, sales have grown from NOK 47.5 million in 2016 to NOK 117.8 million in 2025, although there was a sharp decline of 71.5% in 2017 before a rebound in 2018. The sector therefore has both challenges and opportunities for further development.

Economic Trends

Sales and Employees:

• Sales: The sector had total sales of NOK 117.8 million in 2025, with an annual growth of +8.5% from 2024. The most significant drop was recorded in 2017 (-71.5%), but this was offset by strong growth of +221.3% in 2018.
• Employees: The number of employees increased by +18.2% from 2023 to 2024, reaching 39 employees in 2024, and remained stable in 2025.

Financial Indicators:

• The EBITDA margin is 6% in Holmestrand, indicating relatively good profitability in the sector.
• The most profitable businesses have an EBITDA margin of 7% (Apotek 1 Holmestrand) and 1% (Boots Apotek Sande and Holmestrand).

Key Players in the Sector

In Holmestrand, there are 5 companies in the pharmacy sector, distributed across the following organizational forms:

Important Companies:

1. Apotek 1 Holmestrand (Hvittingfossveien 123):

• 18 employees, operating income of NOK 39.3 million, EBITDA of NOK 2.8 million.

1. Boots Apotek Sande (Kostegata 1):

• 7 employees, operating income of NOK 20.0 million, EBITDA of NOK 361.2 thousand.

1. Go'heksene Helse Og Velvære DA (Kaarbyveien 39):

• 0 employees, no operating income or operating profit.

Note: Go'heksene Helse Og Velvære DA has no activities in reported figures, which may indicate a new or underdeveloped business.

Geographic Distribution of Businesses

The pharmacy sector is distributed across two main locations in Holmestrand:

Observations:

• Holmestrand has higher operating income and more employees compared to Sande I Vestfold.
• Sande I Vestfold has a lower EBITDA margin (1%) compared to Holmestrand (6%), which may be due to lower volume or higher operating costs.

Operational Dynamics and Bankruptcy Statistics

Bankruptcy Statistics:

• Within the pharmacy sector in Holmestrand, there are no registered bankruptcies in recent years, indicating a relatively stable sector.

Bankruptcy Risk:

• Go'heksene Helse Og Velvære DA has no operating income or operating profit, which may indicate a potential bankruptcy risk if the business is not operational.

Operating Results:

• The most profitable businesses have an operating profit of NOK 2.2 million (Apotek 1 Holmestrand) and NOK 156.5 thousand (Boots Apotek Sande).

Future Outlook

Growth Potential:

• The sector has shown stable growth in sales and number of employees in recent years, with an annual growth of +8.5% in sales and +2.7% in the number of employees from 2025 to 2026.

Competitiveness:

• The most profitable businesses have an EBITDA margin of 7%, indicating good profitability in the sector.

Opportunities for New Players:

• With stable growth and relatively low competition density (5 companies), it may be possible to establish new pharmacies in Holmestrand, especially in areas with high population density or limited access to existing services.

Recommendation:

• New players should consider establishing themselves in Holmestrand, where there is good infrastructure and stable economic development. SmartGrunder can help entrepreneurs find suitable locations and assess potential development opportunities in the municipality.

The pharmacy industry in Holmestrand proves to be a stable and growth-oriented sector with good profitability and relatively low competition density. With an annual growth of +8.5% in sales and a stable increase in the number of employees, the sector can continue to be an attractive sector for new players. At the same time, it is important to assess potential risk factors, such as businesses without operating income. SmartGrunder can help entrepreneurs find suitable locations and assess potential development opportunities in the municipality.