The Pharmacy Industry in Indre Østfold: Current Status and Future Outlook

The pharmacy industry in Indre Østfold has proven to be a stable, yet variable sector with 11 registered companies and 84 employees in 2026. The most notable companies include Apotek 1 Askim, Vitusapotek Spydeberg, and Apotek Morenen in Slitu, which have higher operating margins and wage growth than the average. The industry has experienced both significant declines (e.g., -38% in 2017) and strong growth trends (e.g., +95% in 2018), indicating a dynamic sector with potential investment opportunities.

Operational Statistics for the Pharmacy Sector

The industry experienced a sharp decline in 2017, but has since stabilized and grown in 2025. Sales reached 210.9 million NOK in 2025, while the number of employees has varied between 76 and 84 in recent years. The most significant growth was recorded in 2018 (+95.1%), while the most significant decline occurred in 2017 (-38.0%).

Registered Companies in the Pharmacy Sector

A total of 11 companies are registered in Indre Østfold, with the following organizational forms:

• AS (10 companies): The most common organizational form, with a total of 83 employees and an operating profit of 12.0M NOK.
• Individual companies with special characteristics:
• Knapstad Apotek As: Has no operating profit or sales.
• Vitusapotek Hurrahølet: Likewise no operating profit or sales.
• Apoinvest Holding As: Has negative EBITDA (-727.0K NOK) and high debt (15.6M NOK), which could be a risk for investors.

Key companies:

• Apotek 1 Askim: 18 employees, 39.3M NOK operating income, 7% EBITDA margin.
• Vitusapotek Spydeberg: 7 employees, 23.8M NOK sales, 6% EBITDA margin.
• Apotek Morenen in Slitu: 5 employees, 20% EBITDA margin and 20% sales growth in 2025.

Distribution of Activity by Town/Location

Notable trends:

• Askim is the most active town with 4 companies and 38 employees.
• Slitu has the highest EBITDA margin (20%) and a 20% sales growth in 2025.
• Knapstad has no operating profit, which could indicate a potential gap in service.

Operational Dynamics and Bankruptcy Statistics

• Bankruptcy statistics: No companies in the industry have registered bankruptcy in the data set.
• Risk factors:
• Apoinvest Holding As has negative EBITDA (-727.0K NOK) and high debt (15.6M NOK), which could be a risk for investors.
• Knapstad Apotek As and Vitusapotek Hurrahølet have no operating profit or sales, which could indicate weak operations or lack of market share.
• Stability: Most companies have been in operation since 1965 and have not experienced bankruptcy, indicating a stable industry.

Future Outlook for Entrepreneurs

Positive trends:

• Stable number of employees: 80-84 employees in recent years, indicating a stable industry.
• High growth in Slitu: Apotek Morenen has shown a 20% sales growth in 2025 and a 20% EBITDA margin, which could be an attractive market share.
• High operating margin: Most companies have EBITDA margins of 6-7%, indicating a profitable industry.

Potential challenges:

• Risk with Apoinvest Holding As: The company has negative EBITDA and high debt, which could be a risk for investors.
• Lack of activity in Knapstad: No operating profit or sales, which could be an opportunity for new companies.

Recommendation: Entrepreneurs should consider establishing themselves in towns with high operating margins and stable growth, such as Slitu and Trøgstad. SmartGrunder can help find optimal addresses in the municipality for this industry.

The pharmacy industry in Indre Østfold proves to be a stable, yet variable sector with potential investment opportunities. With an average EBITDA margin of 6-7% and a stable number of employees, the industry is profitable and attractive for entrepreneurs. Particularly in towns like Slitu and Trøgstad, where operating margins and sales growth are high, there may be opportunities for growth. However, investors should be aware of risk factors such as Apoinvest Holding As and the lack of activity in Knapstad. SmartGrunder can help find optimal addresses in the municipality for this industry.