Pet Shop Industry in Harstad: A Comprehensive Analysis

Pet shops in Harstad form a small but dynamic industry with 6 registered companies. In recent years, the industry has shown both strong growth and challenges, with a peak in 2023 followed by a mild decline in 2024. The companies primarily operate in Harstad, with some spread to Sørvik. The industry consists of a mix of AS and ENK entities, and the most profitable companies show a relatively high EBITDA margin of 4–5%. Although no companies are bankrupt, some companies show negative EBITDA values, which may indicate economic challenges. SmartGrunder can help founders find suitable locations in Harstad for this industry.

Economic Trends

Sales and Employees:

• Sales: The industry experienced strong growth from 2021 to 2022 (+79.1%), reaching a peak in 2023 with NOK 31.2 million. There has been a mild decline in 2024 and 2025 (-0.9%).
• Employees: The number of employees increased significantly from 2020 to 2023 (+35.7%), but later decreased by -32.4% from 2024 to 2025.

Key Economic Indicators

• EBITDA Margin: Stands at 4–5% for the most profitable companies, indicating a relatively good financial health.
• Average Income per Employee: Stands at NOK 1.3 million, which is high compared to many other industries.

Development Over Time

• Sales and the number of employees have shown a more uneven development than many other industries, with large fluctuations from year to year.

Registered Companies in the Industry

1. Laboremus As (Verkstedveien 1, Harstad)

• Founded: 20 November 1999
• Number of Employees: 9
• EBITDA: NOK 233.0K
• Organizational Form: AS

1. Musti Harstad (Verkstedveien 7, Harstad)

• Founded: 23 June 2021
• Number of Employees: 8
• EBITDA: NOK 972.4K
• Organizational Form: AS

1. Dogman Butikker As Avd Harstad (Fjordgata 1, Harstad)

• Founded: 16 March 2023
• Number of Employees: 7
• EBITDA: NOK 165.7K
• Organizational Form: AS

1. Magnus Valberg (Øverslettveien 22, Harstad)

• Founded: 16 April 2013
• Number of Employees: 0
• EBITDA: NOK 0
• Organizational Form: ENK

1. Paulsen Salg Og Multiservice (Halsebøveien 132, Sørvik)

• Founded: 30 December 2025 and 17 December 2025
• Number of Employees: 0
• EBITDA: NOK 0
• Organizational Form: ENK

Organizational Forms

• AS: 3 companies, 24 employees, NOK 33.6 million operating income
• ENK: 3 companies, 0 employees, NOK 0 operating income

Distribution of Activity in the Municipality

• Harstad: 3 companies, 24 employees, NOK 33.6 million operating income
• Sørvik: 2 companies, 0 employees, NOK 0 operating income

Key Locations

• Verkstedveien (Harstad): 2 companies (Laboremus As, Musti Harstad)
• Fjordgata (Harstad): 1 company (Dogman Butikker As Avd Harstad)
• Øverslettveien (Harstad): 1 company (Magnus Valberg)
• Halsebøveien (Sørvik): 2 companies (Paulsen Salg Og Multiservice)

Conclusion

The industry is concentrated in Harstad, with a spread to Sørvik. The most active companies are located on Verkstedveien and Fjordgata in Harstad.

Bankruptcies and Economic Challenges

• Bankruptcies: No companies in the industry are bankrupt, indicating a relatively stable industry.
• Negative EBITDA Values: Magnus Valberg and Paulsen Salg Og Multiservice have negative EBITDA values, which may indicate economic challenges.

Economic Dynamics

• Growth and Decline: The industry has shown both strong growth (e.g., +79.1% from 2021 to 2022) and decline (e.g., -8.8% from 2023 to 2024).
• Stability: Although there have been fluctuations, no companies have gone bankrupt, indicating a relatively stable industry.

Outlook for Founders

• Growth Potential: The industry experienced strong growth from 2021 to 2022, and reached a peak in 2023. This suggests that there may be opportunities for new companies.
• Competitiveness: With 6 companies in the industry, competition may be moderate, but it is possible to find a unique market segment.
• Economic Challenges: Some companies have negative EBITDA values, which may indicate that it is important to be attentive to cost control and revenue generation.
• SmartGrunder: SmartGrunder can help founders find suitable locations in Harstad for this industry, based on data and market analyses.

• Number of Companies: The education industry has 7 companies, while the pet shop industry has 6 companies.
• Sales: The education industry had NOK 9.6 million in 2020, while the pet shop industry had NOK 9.5 million in the same year.
• Employees: Both industries had a similar development in the number of employees, with a significant increase from 2020 to 2023.

Peer Companies in the Education Industry

Conclusion

The education industry has a slightly larger presence in Harstad, but the pet shop industry shows a stronger financial health in certain years. Founders should consider both the industry's strengths and challenges in relation to nearby sectors such as education.

The pet shop industry in Harstad shows both strengths and challenges. With a relatively high EBITDA margin and a stable presence in the municipality, the industry can be a good choice for founders. At the same time, data shows that there have been fluctuations in sales and the number of employees, which requires attention in connection with financial planning. SmartGrunder can help founders find suitable locations and market analyses to maximize the probability of success in this industry.