Industry · municipality
Children's Goods Retail in Holmestrand: Current Status and Outlook
Analysis of Companies, Sales, Employees, and Development Trends in Holmestrand, Vestfold, and Telemark
Economic Overview
Holmestrand has been an important city for children's goods retail in Vestfold and Telemark. Over the past few years, sales have grown from NOK 21 million in 2016 to NOK 113.6 million in 2024, with an annual growth rate of 3.0% in 2023–2024. This shows a stable development following a sharp decline in 2018 (–82.3%), which was offset by explosive growth of +876.7% in 2018–2019. Employment trends have been more volatile, with a peak of 72 employees in 2023 and a decline to 54 employees in 2026. Floyd.no AS, with 49 employees, is the dominant player in the industry, with sales volume of NOK 116.5 million in 2024.
Companies in the Industry
There are a total of 5 companies registered in Holmestrand within the children's goods retail sector, distributed across two organizational forms:
| Organizational Form | Number of Companies | Number of Employees |
|---|---|---|
| AS | 1 | 49 |
| ENK | 4 | 5 |
The key companies are:
- Floyd.no AS (Bentsrudveien 11, Holmestrand) – AS entity, 49 employees, sales of NOK 116.5 million in 2024.
- Brutus Anita Brenne (Kostegata 2, Sande) – ENK entity, 5 employees, but no sales or profit in 2024.
- Hege Eggen Pettersen and Palkin El Bahri – ENK entities, no employees or sales in 2024.
- Smil Med Stil AS – AS entity, a new company established in 2023, but no operational activity yet.
None of the companies in the sector are registered as bankrupt in 2024.
Business Geography
The industry is distributed across two geographical areas in Holmestrand:
| Location | Number of Companies | Number of Employees | Sales (2024) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Holmestrand | 3 | 49 | NOK 116.5 M |
| Sande in Vestfold | 2 | 5 | 0 |
Floyd.no AS is the only company in Holmestrand with significant operational activity, while the companies in Sande had no sales or profit in 2024. This shows a clear concentration of business activity in the Holmestrand city center.
Business Dynamics
The industry has been marked by significant variations in sales and employees:
- Sales Development: A sharp decline in 2018 (–82.3%) was followed by explosive growth of +876.7% in 2018–2019. This growth was offset by weakness in 2020 (–11.8%), but stabilized from 2021 onward.
- Employee Development: A significant increase from 9 employees in 2016 to 72 employees in 2023, followed by a decline to 54 employees in 2026.
- Bankruptcy Statistics: No companies in the industry are registered as bankrupt in 2024, indicating a relative stabilization in the business environment.
Outlook
For entrepreneurs considering starting a children's goods retail store in Holmestrand, the data indicates the following:
- Market Space: Floyd.no AS dominates the market with NOK 116.5 million in sales in 2024, but there is room for more players, especially in Sande where there is no significant sales.
- Bankruptcy Risk: No bankruptcies in the industry in 2024 indicate a stable business environment, even though there are significant variations at the company level.
- Workforce: A decline in the number of employees (from 72 in 2023 to 54 in 2026) may indicate a potential need for new skills in the sector.
- Establishment Opportunities: The two companies in Sande with no sales or profit in 2024 show opportunities to fill market gaps.
SmartGrunder can help entrepreneurs find suitable locations in Holmestrand for children's goods retail, with a focus on areas with high growth potential and low bankruptcy risk.
Conclusion
Children's goods retail in Holmestrand has been marked by dynamic development, with both significant challenges and opportunities. Floyd.no AS is the dominant player, but there is room for more companies, especially in Sande. This industry shows potential for growth, although it is necessary to consider the recent decline in the number of employees and sales. Entrepreneurs should consider establishing themselves in areas with low bankruptcy risk and high market need, such as Sande. SmartGrunder can help identify optimal locations and strategies for new companies in this sector.
Executive Summary
Holmestrand has an active children's goods retail sector with 5 companies, where Floyd.no AS is the dominant player. Sales have grown from NOK 21 million in 2016 to NOK 113.6 million in 2024, with stable growth in recent years. Employment trends have been more volatile, with a peak of 72 employees in 2023 and a decline to 54 employees in 2026. None of the companies are registered as bankrupt in 2024, indicating a stable business environment. Opportunities for new companies exist particularly in Sande, where there was no significant sales in 2024.