Industry · municipality
The Pharmacy Industry in Vågan: Industry Analysis and Development Trends
A detailed analysis of sales, companies, operating statistics, and outlook for entrepreneurs in the pharmacy industry in Vågan municipality, Nordland county, Norway.
Executive Summary
The pharmacy industry in Vågan is a small but stable sector with a single business in Svolvær. The only registered pharmacy, Apotek 1 Svolvær, has been operational since 1965 and has shown a mix of growth and decline in sales and employees over time. Although there was a significant drop in sales in 2017 (0 NOK), the industry has shown gradual recovery, with a notable increase of 16.4% from 2024 to 2025. The 7% EBITDA margin and stable number of employees (23 in 2025) indicate a gradual improvement in operating results. The industry has not recorded any bankruptcies, which underscores its stability in the municipality.
Economic Overview
Economic Trends
Sales and Employee Development:
| Year | Sales (NOK) | Employees | Annual Sales Change | Annual Employee Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 47.2M | 26 | - | - |
| 2017 | 0 | 28 | -100.0% | +7.7% |
| 2018 | 39.7M | 19 | -16.4% | -32.1% |
| 2019 | 33.2M | 17 | -17.1% | -10.5% |
| 2020 | 38.9M | 20 | +17.1% | +17.6% |
| 2021 | 45.7M | 22 | +17.4% | +10.0% |
| 2022 | 46.0M | 21 | +0.6% | -4.5% |
| 2023 | 48.3M | 22 | +5.0% | +4.8% |
| 2024 | 58.7M | 23 | +21.5% | +4.5% |
| 2025 | 68.3M | 23 | +16.4% | +0.0% |
Key Figures:
- EBITDA margin: 7% (2025)
- Sales growth from 2024 to 2025: +16.4%
- Number of employees in 2025: 23
- Average income per employee: 2.9M NOK (2025)
Conclusion: Although there was a significant decline in 2017, the industry has shown gradual recovery, with a notable increase in sales from 2024 to 2025. The EBITDA margin has remained stable at 7%, indicating an efficient operation.
Companies in the Industry
Registered Companies
Apotek 1 Svolvær:
- Address: Lofotgata 33, Svolvær
- Organisation Form: AS
- Incorporation Year: 1965
- Number of Employees: 26 (2025)
- Bankruptcies: Not registered
- Postal Code: 8300
- Municipality: Vågan
- County: Nordland
- Industry: Pharmacy
- Operating Income: 58.9M NOK (2025)
- Sales Income: 58.0M NOK (2025)
- Wage Costs: 10.1M NOK (2025)
- Operating Profit: 3.4M NOK (2025)
- EBITDA: 4.3M NOK (2025)
- Gross Margin: 10561% (2025)
- Operating Margin: 5% (2025)
- Total Equity: 1.9M NOK (2025)
- Total Debt: 19.3M NOK (2025)
- Sales Growth: 10% (2025)
- EBITDA per Employee: 180.3K NOK (2025)
Organisation Form Statistics:
- AS: 1 company, 26 employees, operating income 58.9M NOK, sales income 58.0M NOK, wage costs 10.1M NOK, operating profit 3.4M NOK, EBITDA 4.3M NOK, gross margin 10561%, operating margin 5%.
Business Geography
Geographic Distribution
Svolvær:
- Number of Companies: 1
- Number of Employees: 26
- Operating Income: 58.9M NOK
- Sales Income: 58.0M NOK
- Wage Costs: 10.1M NOK
- Operating Profit: 3.4M NOK
- EBITDA: 4.3M NOK
- Gross Margin: 10561%
- Operating Margin: 5%
- Total Equity: 1.9M NOK
- Total Debt: 19.3M NOK
- Sales Growth: 10%
- EBITDA per Employee: 180.3K NOK
Conclusion: All businesses in the pharmacy industry in Vågan are located in Svolvær, which is the only place in the municipality with activity in this industry.
Business Dynamics
Bankruptcies and Operating Status:
- Bankruptcies: No registered bankruptcies in the pharmacy industry in Vågan.
- Operating Status: Apotek 1 Svolvær has been operational since 1965 and has shown a mix of growth and decline in sales and employees over time. Although there was a significant drop in sales in 2017 (0 NOK), the industry has shown gradual recovery, with a notable increase of 16.4% from 2024 to 2025.
Operating Profit:
- EBITDA Margin: 7% (2025)
- Operating Profit: 3.4M NOK (2025)
- Total Equity: 1.9M NOK (2025)
- Total Debt: 19.3M NOK (2025)
Conclusion: The pharmacy industry in Vågan has proven to be stable, with no bankruptcies and a gradual improvement in operating results over time. The only business has shown a gradual recovery after a significant decline in 2017.
Outlook
Outlook for Entrepreneurs
Market Development:
- Sales Growth: From 2024 to 2025, sales increased by 16.4%, indicating a positive development in the market.
- EBITDA Margin: The stable margin of 7% indicates efficient operations and potential gradual improvement.
- Number of Employees: The number of employees has increased from 2022 to 2025, which may indicate an increasing need for labor in the sector.
Opportunities and Challenges:
- Opportunities: The positive sales growth and stable EBITDA margin suggest that there may be opportunities for further development in the industry.
- Challenges: The significant drop in sales in 2017 is a challenge that must be considered, even though there has been a recovery since then.
Recommendation: Entrepreneurs considering starting a business in the pharmacy industry in Vågan should consider the positive development in sales and EBITDA margin, as well as the stable operating status. It may be a good idea to explore opportunities for collaboration or expansion of existing businesses in the municipality.
Conclusion
The pharmacy industry in Vågan is a small but stable sector with a single business in Svolvær. The only registered business, Apotek 1 Svolvær, has shown a mix of growth and decline in sales and employees over time. Although there was a significant drop in sales in 2017, the industry has shown gradual recovery, with a notable increase of 16.4% from 2024 to 2025. The 7% EBITDA margin and stable number of employees (23 in 2025) indicate a gradual improvement in operating results. The industry has not recorded any bankruptcies, which underscores its stability in the municipality. Entrepreneurs considering starting a business in the pharmacy industry in Vågan should consider the positive development in sales and EBITDA margin, as well as the stable operating status.