Electric Goods Retail in Arendal: Current Status and Future Outlook

Electric goods retail in Arendal holds a unique position as a standalone actor in the municipality. The only registered company, Elektroimportøren Norge As, operates with a high gross profit margin (1040%) and a stable organizational form (AS). Although sales increased sharply from 2018 to 2022 (+178%), there has been a decline in recent years. Employment trends show a more volatile pattern, with a peak of 13 employees in 2022 and a decline to 10 employees in 2025. This highlights both potential and challenges for the industry in Arendal.

Sales and employment development

• Sales: From 2018–2022, sales increased from NOK 14.4M to NOK 52.6M (+266%), but fell to NOK 39.5M in 2025.
• Employees: Highest number of employees (13) in 2022, but a decline to 10 in 2025.

Key figures:

• Gross margin: 1040% (higher than the average in many sectors)
• EBITDA margin: 2% (lower than the industry average)
• Total debt: NOK 11.0M (higher than equity of NOK 2.0M)

Reasons for development: The increase up to 2022 may be due to increased e-commerce and demand for electronics post-pandemic. The decline after 2022 may be due to increased competitors and economic pressure.

Elektroimportøren Norge As is the only registered company in Arendal within electric goods retail. It is an AS with the following key figures:

• Incorporation year: 2018
• Number of employees: 13 (2022), 10 (2025)
• Sales: NOK 38.3M (2025)
• EBITDA: NOK 817.5K (2025)
• Debt: NOK 11.0M
• Equity: NOK 2.0M

Organizational form: AS (1 company) Address: Sagvannsveien 42, Arendal

Status: Not in bankruptcy (2025), but high debt level relative to equity.

Arendal is the only city in the municipality with activity within electric goods retail. The only company operates in Arendal, and there are no underlying geographic segments. This shows that the industry is centrally located in the municipality's main city, which can be both an advantage (customer concentration) and a challenge (competitive proximity to other stores).

Bankruptcies and operational risk:

• Elektroimportøren Norge As is not in bankruptcy (2025), but has a high debt level (NOK 11.0M) relative to equity (NOK 2.0M). This can be a risk indicator for future operations.

Competing companies in agriculture:

• In the broader agriculture sector (which includes electric goods retail), there are 25 companies in Arendal. Some of these have negative EBITDA (e.g., Lisiq As and Aage Brekke As), which can affect competition.

Operational efficiency: Although Elektroimportøren has a high gross profit, the EBITDA margin is low (2%), which may indicate high operating costs or low efficiency.

Opportunities and challenges:

• High gross profit: The industry has growth potential if operating costs can be reduced.
• Competitiveness: With only one company in Arendal, it may be possible to establish oneself, but it is important to assess competition from the agriculture sector.
• Market development: Sales had a sharp decline after 2022, which may be a signal of changing customer needs or increased competitors.

Recommendation for entrepreneurs: It may be possible to establish oneself in Arendal, but it is important to analyze operating costs and competitive solutions. SmartGrunder can help find optimal locations and strategies to compete effectively.

The agriculture sector has 25 companies in Arendal, compared to 1 company in electric goods retail. This shows that agriculture is a much broader sector. Economic key figures:

• Sales: Agriculture had NOK 460.0M in 2025, compared to NOK 39.5M for electric goods retail.
• Employees: Agriculture had 140 employees in 2026, compared to 10 employees in electric goods retail.

Peer companies in agriculture:

• Power Norge As Avd Arendal (electronics store): NOK 124.9M in sales, 34 employees.
• Elkjøp Arendal (electronics store): NOK 214.6M in sales, 36 employees.
• Telia Norge As (phone store): NOK 28.1M in sales, 5 employees.

Conclusion: Although agriculture has higher volume, electric goods retail has a higher gross profit (1040% vs. agriculture's average). This can be an advantage for new actors in the sector.

Electric goods retail in Arendal has both opportunities and challenges. With a high gross profit and a standalone position in the municipality, it may be possible to develop, but it is important to assess competition from agriculture and operating costs. SmartGrunder can help entrepreneurs find optimal locations and strategies to compete effectively in this sector.