The Pharmacy Industry in Skien

The pharmacy industry in Skien is an important part of the municipality's economy, with 15 registered companies and over 150 employees. The industry has shown both strong growth and variations over time, with an average annual sales growth of 9%. The most well-known companies include Apotek 1 Bien Skien, Vitusapotek Herkules, and Boots Apotek Medicus Skien. The industry has a high gross profit of 13,663%, but operating profit stands at 4%. There are also several companies with zero sales and EBITDA, which may indicate operational challenges.

Economic Trends

• Sales: Sales have varied significantly over time, with a dramatic decline of -73.5% from 2016 to 2017, but a strong increase of +323.3% from 2017 to 2018. In 2025, sales reached NOK 353.3 million, an increase of +12.8% from 2024.
• Employees: The number of employees grew by +3.9% from 2025 to 2026, but declined by -14.6% from 2024 to 2025.
• Profit: The industry has a high gross profit of 13,663%, but operating profit stands at 4%, and the EBITDA margin is 6%.
• Debt and equity: Debt is NOK 89.6 million, while equity is NOK 18.1 million.

Key Players in the Industry

• Apotek 1 Bien Skien (Liegtata 10): 26 employees, sales of NOK 58.0 million, EBITDA of NOK 4.3 million.
• Vitusapotek Herkules (Ulefossvegen 32): 20 employees, sales of NOK 59.1 million, EBITDA of NOK 3.7 million.
• Apotek 1 Gulset (Nyhusvegen 14): 16 employees, sales of NOK 58.0 million, EBITDA of NOK 4.3 million.
• Apotek 1 Gråtenmoen (Porsgrunnsvegen 50): 15 employees, sales of NOK 19.3 million, EBITDA of NOK 1.4 million.
• Boots Apotek Medicus Skien (Cappelens gate 15): 6 employees, sales of NOK 20.0 million, EBITDA of NOK 361.2 thousand.
• Vitusapotek Falkum (Århusvegen 33) and Svanen Apotek As (Bruene 1) have zero sales and EBITDA, which may indicate potential operational challenges.

Distribution of Activity in the Municipality

• Skien: All 15 companies in the industry are registered in Skien. There is no sub-counting of activity in sub-areas, but companies are distributed across different addresses in the municipality, such as Liegata, Ulefossvegen, and Cappelens gate.

Operational Dynamics and Bankruptcy Statistics

• Bankruptcy: There are no bankrupt companies registered in the industry in Skien, which shows stable operations.
• Challenges: Companies such as Vitusapotek Falkum, Svanen Apotek As, and A&A Investments As have zero sales and EBITDA, which may indicate potential operational challenges. However, there are no bankruptcies, showing that these companies continue to operate, even though they do not generate revenue.

Outlook for Entrepreneurs

The industry has shown potential growth, especially after 2018, with an average annual sales growth of 9%. High gross profit (13,663%) and stable operations (no bankruptcies) indicate opportunities for new players. However, entrepreneurs should be aware of challenges such as companies with zero sales and EBITDA, as well as the high debt (NOK 89.6 million) in the industry. SmartGrunder can help entrepreneurs find suitable addresses in Skien for pharmacy operations, based on natural business opportunities.

Comparison with the Broader Crafts Group

• Crafts Group: The crafts group has 18 companies in Skien, while the pharmacy industry has 15. Sales and employee trends are similar for both groups, with strong growth from 2018 to 2025. The crafts group has more companies, which may indicate a more diversified sector.
• Peer Companies: Examples of companies in the crafts group but not in the pharmacy industry include Hearing Aid Specialist O Midtbøen (Holbergs gate 6) and Nilssen Erik Tanche A/s Avd Detalj Skien (Hagebyvegen 26). These companies have zero sales and EBITDA, which may be an indicator of operational challenges in the broader crafts group.

The pharmacy industry in Skien shows both opportunities and challenges for entrepreneurs. With high gross profit and stable operations (no bankruptcies), there are potential growth opportunities. However, entrepreneurs should be aware of companies with zero sales and EBITDA, as well as the high debt in the industry. Compared to the crafts group, the pharmacy industry has fewer companies, but similar sales growth. SmartGrunder can help find suitable addresses in Skien for pharmacy operations, based on natural business opportunities.