Industry · municipality
The Pharmacy Industry in Lillesand: Current Status and Future Opportunities
An analysis of companies, economic trends, and development perspectives
Executive Summary
The pharmacy industry in Lillesand is a stable, yet dynamic sector dominated by two companies. The two pharmacies, Vitusapotek Lillesand and Apotek 1 Lillesand Senter, have shown variable, but generally positive development over the past few years. The industry has experienced both increasing sales and fluctuations in the number of employees, indicating a combination of market activity and local conditions. With an average operating profit margin of 5% and EBITDA margin of 6%, the industry demonstrates good financial health. Outlooks for the future appear positive, especially with increasing sales and stabilization of employees after 2023.
Economic Overview
Economic trends for the pharmacy industry in Lillesand show a complex development over the past few years. Sales have grown from NOK 36.3 million in 2016 to NOK 75.1 million in 2025, with an average annual growth of 12.5%. There have been significant fluctuations, especially a decline of 35.9% in 2023, but a strong increase of 25.2% in 2024. The number of employees has been more fluctuated, with an increase from 19 to 26 employees in 2022, followed by a decline to 19 employees in 2023 and stabilization at 23–25 employees in 2024–2025. This indicates a sector that has been affected by both market conditions and internal adjustments.



Companies in the Industry
Two pharmacy operations are registered in Lillesand: Vitusapotek Lillesand (Storgata 2) and Apotek 1 Lillesand Senter (Senterveien 30). Both are organized as AS and have been in operation since 1965 and 2010, respectively. Vitusapotek has 11 employees and reports operating income of NOK 23.8 million, while Apotek 1 has 10 employees and operating income of NOK 39.3 million. Both operations are not bankrupt. Organizational data shows that AS is the only organizational form in the industry, with two companies and 21 employees in total.
Business Geography
All businesses in the pharmacy industry in Lillesand are located in the Lillesand area. There are 2 companies and 21 employees registered in the municipality. The table below shows details about the distribution of businesses and employees per district:
| District | Number of companies | Number of employees | Operating income (NOK) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lillesand | 2 | 21 | 63.1 million |

Business Dynamism
The industry has been relatively stable in terms of bankruptcy. There are no registered bankruptcies for pharmacy operations in Lillesand in recent years. This indicates a sector with good financial health and robust companies. Fluctuations in the number of employees (e.g., a decline of 26.9% from 2022 to 2023) may be due to internal adjustments or market conditions, but not necessarily bankruptcy situations. The average operating profit margin of 5% and EBITDA margin of 6% underscore the industry's financial stability.
Outlook
Outlooks for the pharmacy industry in Lillesand appear positive. Sales have grown strongly after 2023, with an increase of 20.8% in 2025. The average operating profit margin of 5% and EBITDA margin of 6% show that the companies have good financial health. With two stable companies and an organizational structure based on AS, the industry is well positioned for further growth. For entrepreneurs, this could be an attractive sector, especially with high gross profit margins (up to 15817%) and stabilization of employees after 2023. SmartGrunder can help find suitable locations in Lillesand for new pharmacy operations.
Conclusion
The pharmacy industry in Lillesand shows a mix of stability and dynamism. With two companies that have demonstrated good financial health and an average sales growth over the past few years, the industry is well positioned for further development. Fluctuations in the number of employees and sales have been part of the sector's character, but there are no signs of bankruptcy situations. For entrepreneurs, this could be an attractive sector, with high profits and a stable market position. SmartGrunder can help find suitable locations in Lillesand for new pharmacy operations.