Industry · municipality
Pharmacies in Sandnes
An industry analysis of the pharmacy sector in Sandnes municipality
Executive Summary
Pharmacies in Sandnes constitute a stable and important part of the municipality's economy. With 15 registered companies and 144 employees in 2025, the sector shows a mix of established businesses and new initiatives. Sales have grown by 8.1% from 2024 to 2025, indicating positive development. However, data shows that some companies operate on the edge of profitability, which entrepreneurs should consider.
Economic Overview
Economic Trends
Sales in the pharmacy sector in Sandnes have grown from NOK 383.1 million in 2024 to NOK 414.0 million in 2025, an increase of 8.1%. Employment figures have been more volatile, with 144 employees in both 2024 and 2025 after a decline of 4.9% from 2024 to 2025. The EBITDA margin stands at 5%, indicating good profitability in the sector. Economic data shows that the most profitable companies have an EBITDA margin of up to 7%, while some companies operate with lower margins.
Key Economic Figures
| Year | Sales (NOK) | Employees | EBITDA Margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 383.1M | 144 | 5 % |
| 2025 | 414.0M | 144 | 5 % |
Development Over Time
Sales have grown by 124.2% from 2017 to 2018, but had a decline of 39.3% from 2016 to 2017. Employment development has been more stable, with an average annual growth of about 2% from 2016 to 2025.
Companies in the Industry
Registered Companies
In Sandnes, there are 15 pharmacy companies, mainly organized as AS (limited liability companies). The key companies include:
- Apotek 1 Maxi (Gravarsveien 7, Sandnes) – 27 employees, NOK 58.9M operating income
- Vitusapotek Ganddal (Olabakken 5, Sandnes) – 11 employees, NOK 23.8M operating income
- Klepp Apotek As (Heigreveien 46, Sandnes) – 6 employees, NOK 24.9M sales
- Stangeland Apotek As (Solaveien 88, Sandnes) – 5 employees, NOK 25.4M sales
Organizational Trends
All companies are organized as AS, indicating a standardized structure in the sector. No companies are registered as sole proprietorships or other organizational forms.
Business Geography
Distribution of Activity
Most pharmacies are located in Sandnes (14 companies, 139 employees), while there is one company in Hommersåk (Vitusapotek Hommersåk). The distribution shows that Sandnes is the main city for the pharmacy sector, with significantly more activity than Hommersåk.
Local Activity
| Location | Number of Companies | Number of Employees | Operating Income (NOK) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sandnes | 14 | 139 | 312.8M |
| Hommersåk | 1 | 7 | 23.8M |
Business Dynamics
Bankruptcies and Financial Challenges
None of the registered companies in Sandnes are registered as bankrupt, indicating a stable sector. However, data shows that some companies operate with low profitability:
- Klepp Apotek As has an EBITDA of -NOK 78,000 and an operating profit of -NOK 85,000
- Vitusapotek Bogafjell has no operating income or sales in 2025
- Apotek 1 Hana has no operating income or sales in 2025
Financial Key Figures
| Company | EBITDA (NOK) | Operating Profit (NOK) | Total Debt (NOK) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Klepp Apotek As | -78,000 | -85,000 | 3.4M |
| Vitusapotek Bogafjell | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Apotek 1 Hana | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Outlook
Outlook for Entrepreneurs
The pharmacy sector in Sandnes shows positive development with increasing sales and stable employment figures. High EBITDA margins (5-7%) and good operating income indicate a profitable industry. Entrepreneurs should, however, be aware of competition from established companies and potential financial challenges for new businesses. There are opportunities for innovation in services and products, especially in a municipality with good infrastructure and population.
Development Trends
- Sales have grown by 8.1% from 2024 to 2025
- EBITDA margin stands at 5-7% for the most profitable companies
- There are opportunities to establish new pharmacies in areas with low competition, such as Hommersåk
Conclusion
Pharmacies in Sandnes constitute a stable and important part of the municipality's economy. With 15 companies and 144 employees, the sector shows a mix of established businesses and new initiatives. Entrepreneurs should consider the opportunities in an industry with good profitability and positive sales development, while taking into account competition from established companies. SmartGrunder can help entrepreneurs find suitable locations and develop strategies to establish themselves in this important sector.