Industry · municipality
The Pharmacy Industry in Molde: Key Figures, Companies, and Outlook
Analysis of Pharmacy Operations in Molde Municipality with a Focus on Economy, Structure, and Development Trends
Brief Overview of the Pharmacy Industry in Molde
Pharmacies in Molde form a stable but dynamic sector with six registered companies, employing 45 people as of 2026. The industry shows resilience with sales growing 17.9% year-over-year in 2025, though historical volatility (e.g., -53.9% in 2017) highlights challenges. Key players include Apotek 1 Roseby and Vitusapotek, operating as AS entities. The sector's alignment with broader håndverk trends suggests opportunities for founders considering local entry.
Economic Trends and Key Figures
Economic Trends
| Year | Sales (NOK) | Employees |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 147,0M | 47 |
| 2026 | 152,0M (estimated) | 52 |
Sales growth has been positive in the last two years (+17.9% from 2024 to 2025), but the industry has previously experienced significant fluctuations (e.g., -53.9% in 2017). Employees have grown by 10.6% from 2025 to 2026, though with fluctuations as high as -18.5% in 2018. EBITDA margins range between 1% (Boots Apotek) and 7% (Apotek 1 Roseby).
Companies in the Pharmacy Industry
Registered Companies
| Name | Address | Organizational Form | Employees | Sales (2025) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apotek 1 Roseby | Lingedalsvegen 10 | AS | 18 | 38.7M |
| Apotek 1 Molde | Torget 1 | AS | 14 | 38.7M |
| Vitusapotek Molde | Birger Hatlebakks veg 1 | AS | 12 | 35.5M |
| Boots Apotek Molde | Storgata 23 | AS | 10 | 25.0M |
| Annette Jorna Holmen | Hans Thiis Møllers gate 18 | ENK | 0 | 0 |
Four of the companies are AS entities, while two are ENK entities (one with 0 employees). All companies are solvent, and none have registered bankruptcy.
Geographic Distribution of Operations
Geographic Distribution
All six companies in the pharmacy industry are registered in Molde city center. There is no activity in sub-areas or neighboring municipalities. The distribution by address shows a focus on central locations such as Torget and Storgata, indicating strategic positioning for customer access.
Operational Dynamics and Bankruptcy Security
Operational Dynamics and Bankruptcy Statistics
None of the six companies have registered bankruptcy, indicating a stable sector. EBITDA margins range from 1% (Boots Apotek) to 7% (Apotek 1 Roseby), with an average margin of 5%. Sales growth has been most significant in 2018 (+102.9%) and 2025 (+17.9%), while the decline in 2017 (-53.9%) highlights vulnerability to external factors.
Outlook for New Entrants
Outlook for Entrepreneurs
Stable employee numbers (45 in 2026) and sales growth (+17.9% in 2025) indicate a robust sector. EBITDA margins of 5% and average sales per employee of 3.2M NOK demonstrate efficiency. With four AS entities and two ENK entities, there is room for different organizational forms. SmartGrunder can help entrepreneurs find optimal locations in Molde for pharmacy operations.
Comparison with the Craftsmanship Sector
The craftsmanship sector in Molde has 7 companies, compared to 6 in the pharmacy industry. Sales in craftsmanship grew 16.6% from 2024 to 2025, which is slightly higher than the pharmacy sector's 17.9%. EBITDA margins in craftsmanship average 5.5%, while the pharmacy industry has 5%. An example of a craftsmanship actor is Brillehuset A/s (sales: 8.9M NOK, EBITDA: 2.2M NOK).
Other companies in håndverk (not in pharmacy)
| Company | Industry | Address | Sales | Employees | EBITDA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brillehuset A/s | medical/orthopaedic goods store | Myrabakken 12, 6413 Molde | NOK 8.9M | 4 | NOK 2.2M |
Conclusion and Future Security
The pharmacy industry in Molde shows both stability and growth potential. With four established AS entities and a sales growth of 17.9% in 2025, as well as no bankruptcies, the sector is attractive for new entrants. The comparison with the craftsmanship sector shows that the pharmacy industry has slightly higher sales growth, but lower EBITDA margins. SmartGrunder can help entrepreneurs identify good locations and organizational models in Molde.