Pharmacies in Tønsberg: Industry Overview and Outlook

Pharmacies in Tønsberg represent a stable and growing sector with 15 registered companies and over 155 employees. In recent years, the industry has shown increasing sales (from NOK 250.6M in 2016 to NOK 371.5M in 2025) and rising employment numbers (from 133 in 2016 to 155 in 2026). EBITDA margins range between 5–7%, indicating good operational efficiency. Tønsberg is an important city for pharmacy activity, with companies distributed across multiple areas and relatively low competition compared to larger cities.

Sales and Employee Development

Sales have been unstable but have grown significantly from 2018 to 2025. The number of employees has increased by 19.2% from 2025 to 2026, indicating increased operational activity and potential expansion of pharmacies.

Registered Companies in the Industry

Tønsberg has 15 registered pharmacy companies, primarily organized as AS (12 companies). The key companies include:

• Apotek 1 Kjelleparken (25 employees, NOK 58.0M in sales)
• Vitusapotek Kilen (9 employees, NOK 35.5M in sales)
• Boots Apotek Revetal (15 employees, NOK 40.0M in sales)

However, several companies have no sales or employees (e.g., Slagenveien Tønsberg Apotek As and Vitusapotek Sem), which may indicate closures or start-up phases.

Distribution of Business in the Municipality

Tønsberg is the most active area with 7 companies and 90 employees. Vear and Sem each have only one pharmacy business, but these have no operational results in the data.

None of the 15 companies in the industry are registered as bankrupt, indicating good operational financial stability. However, several companies (e.g., Slagenveien Tønsberg Apotek As and Vitusapotek Sem) have no sales or employees, which may indicate market challenges or previous closures. EBITDA margins range between 1–7%, showing that the most successful companies have strong operational efficiency.

Outlook for Entrepreneurs

Pharmacies in Tønsberg show positive development with increasing sales and employees, especially from 2020 onward. EBITDA margins of 5–7% and high gross profit margins (13,822%) indicate strong operational efficiency in the sector. Entrepreneurs should, however, be aware that some companies have no operational results, which may indicate competition or market challenges. SmartGrunder can help find suitable locations in Tønsberg for pharmacy activity with a good future outlook.

Comparison with the Crafts Sector

The crafts sector in Tønsberg has similar development trends to the pharmacy industry, with increasing sales (from NOK 250.7M in 2016 to NOK 371.5M in 2025) and employees (from 133 in 2016 to 155 in 2026). However, the crafts sector has a peer company (e.g., Mhc As) with negative EBITDA (NOK -83.0K) and low sales (NOK 52.0K), indicating greater variation in operational efficiency. The pharmacy industry generally has higher EBITDA margins (5–7%) compared to the crafts sector.

Pharmacies in Tønsberg are a growing and stable industry with good operational efficiency, high gross profit margins, and increasing employee numbers. Prospects for new companies are positive, especially in the Tønsberg city center, where there are more companies and high operational activity. Entrepreneurs should, however, consider competition and market challenges, and SmartGrunder can help find suitable locations within the municipality.