Industry · municipality
The Gourmet Grocery Industry in Kragerø: Analysis of Companies, Statistics, and Outlooks
A detailed overview of the gourmet grocery industry in Kragerø, focusing on economic data, companies, and development trends in the municipality and region.
Executive Summary
Overview of the Gourmet Grocery Industry in Kragerø
Kragerø has a unique position as a tourist destination and cultural city, and this is reflected in the single gourmet grocery store in the municipality: Brødrene Brubakken As. The company has been active since 1974 and operates with 11 employees. Although the industry is small, figures show that it has a stable income of around NOK 10.6 million in 2025, with an EBITDA margin of 4%, indicating moderate profitability. The industry has been marked by variations in sales and employees over time, but has not experienced bankruptcy, suggesting a certain level of stability.
Economic Overview
Sales and Employees in the Gourmet Grocery Industry in Kragerø (2016–2025):
| Year | Sales (NOK) | Employees | Year-over-Year Sales Change | Year-over-Year Employee Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 8.6M | 9 | -6.0% | 0.0% |
| 2017 | 8.1M | 9 | +2.8% | 0.0% |
| 2018 | 8.3M | 9 | +3.6% | 0.0% |
| 2019 | 8.6M | 12 | +20.5% | +33.3% |
| 2020 | 10.4M | 10 | +0.2% | -16.7% |
| 2021 | 10.4M | 12 | -1.7% | +20.0% |
| 2022 | 10.2M | 12 | -7.2% | 0.0% |
| 2023 | 9.5M | 11 | +9.1% | -8.3% |
| 2024 | 10.4M | 8 | +2.1% | -27.3% |
| 2025 | 10.6M | 9 | +0.0% | +12.5% |
Sales have been uncertain, with a strong increase in 2020 (perhaps due to increased tourism or special offers), but have since cooled. The number of employees has also varied, with a peak in 2019 and a decline in 2024. This may indicate that the company has adjusted operations according to market conditions.
Companies in the Industry
In Kragerø, one company is registered in the gourmet grocery industry:
- Brødrene Brubakken As (Storgata 12, Kragerø)
- Legal Form: AS
- Founded: 1974-06-26
- Number of Employees: 11
- Sales: NOK 10.7M
- EBITDA: NOK 432.0K
- EBITDA Margin: 4%
- Total Debt: NOK 2.1M
The company has been in operation since 1974 and has a relatively stable income, but with a low EBITDA margin. No bankruptcy has been registered, indicating a certain level of financial stability.
Business Geography
Business Activity Distributed by Districts in Kragerø:
| District | Number of Companies | Number of Employees | Sales (NOK) | EBITDA (NOK) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kragerø | 1 | 11 | 10.7M | 432.0K |
All activities in the industry are concentrated in the Kragerø city center, where Brødrene Brubakken As operates. This indicates that there is no broad distribution of gourmet grocery stores in the municipality, and that the company has a dominant role in the area.
Business Dynamism
Bankruptcy Statistics for the Gourmet Grocery Industry in Kragerø:
- No bankruptcies registered for companies in the industry during the period 2016–2025. This indicates that the industry has been relatively stable, even though there have been variations in sales and employees.
Bankruptcies in the Broader Service Sector (Parent Industry):
- In the broader category of the service sector (which includes shops, supermarkets, and other retail) there have been registered bankruptcies for some companies. This may indicate that the broader sector has been more vulnerable to market conditions, even though the gourmet grocery industry has been stable.
Outlook
Outlook for Entrepreneurs
For entrepreneurs considering starting a gourmet grocery store in Kragerø, the data indicates the following:
- Stable Market: There is only one company in the industry, indicating a small competitive situation. This can be an advantage, but also a challenge if there is a dominant market position.
- Low EBITDA Margin: The current company's EBITDA margin is 4%, which may indicate that the industry has low profitability. Entrepreneurs must therefore consider how they can create value and efficiency.
- Tourism-Based Economy: Kragerø's tourism industry can provide opportunities for special products or services that attract visitors, which can strengthen the position of a new store.
- Competition-Related Challenges: Even though there are no bankruptcies in the industry, it may be a challenge to compete with existing companies that have an established market.
SmartGrunder can help entrepreneurs find suitable locations in Kragerø for a gourmet grocery store, based on market outlooks and local conditions.
Outlook for the Broader Service Sector Category
Broader Category of the Service Sector (Parent Industry) in Kragerø:
- Number of Companies: 23
- Sales in 2025: NOK 648.1M
- Employees in 2025: 236
- Year-over-Year Sales Change (2024→2025): +3.5%
- Year-over-Year Employee Change (2024→2025): +15.7%
Peer Companies in the Broader Category of the Service Sector (Not in the Gourmet Grocery Industry):
| Name | Address | Sales (NOK) | Employees | EBITDA (NOK) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ng Kiwi Vestfold Telemark As Avd Kiwi 553 Kragerø | Ytre Strandvei 6, 3770 Kragerø | 127.0M | 47 | 6.4M |
| Ng Kiwi Vestfold Telemark As Avd 428 Kalstad | Dalaneveien 6, 3772 Kragerø | 107.8M | 27 | 5.5M |
| Kirkebukta Dagligvare As | Ytre Strandvei 36, 3770 Kragerø | 61.2M | 46 | 4.2M |
| Brygga Mat As | Dalaneveien 8, 3772 Kragerø | 114.3M | 24 | 2.9M |
| Normal Norge As Avd No1136 Kragerø, Alti | Kjølebrøndsveien 1, 3766 Sannidal | 14.4M | 14 | 1.6M |
Contrast Between the Broader Service Sector Category and the Gourmet Grocery Industry:
- The broader service sector category has a much higher sales volume (NOK 648.1M vs. NOK 10.6M for the gourmet grocery industry), indicating that it is more diversified and has a larger market share.
- EBITDA for peer companies in the broader service sector category is higher (e.g., 6.4M for Ng Kiwi) compared to the gourmet grocery industry (432.0K), which may indicate that these companies have better profitability.
- The broader service sector category also has a higher number of employees (236 vs. 11), indicating that it is more developed and has greater operational capacity.
Other companies in tjenester (not in gourmet food store)
| Company | Industry | Address | Sales | Employees | EBITDA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ng Kiwi Vestfold Telemark As Avd Kiwi 553 Kragerø | supermarket chain | Ytre Strandvei 6, 3770 Kragerø | NOK 127.0M | 47 | NOK 6.4M |
| Ng Kiwi Vestfold Telemark As Avd 428 Kalstad | supermarket chain | Dalaneveien 6, 3772 Kragerø | NOK 107.8M | 27 | NOK 5.5M |
| Kirkebukta Dagligvare As | supermarket | Ytre Strandvei 36, 3770 Kragerø | NOK 61.2M | 46 | NOK 4.2M |
| Brygga Mat As | supermarket chain | Dalaneveien 8, 3772 Kragerø | NOK 114.3M | 24 | NOK 2.9M |
| Normal Norge As Avd No1136 Kragerø, Alti | discount store | Kjølebrøndsveien 1, 3766 Sannidal | NOK 14.4M | 14 | NOK 1.6M |
| Westgaard Landhandel As | supermarket | Ole Halvorsens vei 914, 3788 Stabbestad | NOK 19.7M | 23 | NOK 367.0K |
| Sluppan Dagligvare As | supermarket | Kammerfossveien 1D, 3772 Kragerø | NOK 37.2M | 22 | NOK 122.0K |
| Bestwear As | other non-specialised store | Kammerfossveien 1D, 3772 Kragerø | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Bondens Marked Telemark Sa | supermarket | Sjådamveien 8B, 3772 Kragerø | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Butikkdrift Hilde Elise Mogen | kiosk chain | Storgata 2, 3770 Kragerø | NOK 0 | 4 | NOK 0 |
| Coop Sørøst Sa Coop Extra Haugtun Avd 4364 | supermarket chain | Kjølebrøndsveien 5, 3766 Sannidal | NOK 0 | 17 | NOK 0 |
| Extra Helle | supermarket chain | Helleveien 180, 3790 | NOK 0 | 16 | NOK 0 |
| Isnes Eva | other non-specialised store | Vestre Gumøyveien 9, 3783 Kragerø Skjærgård | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Kragerø Asia Matt As | ethnic grocery store | Stines Bakke 2A, 3770 Kragerø | NOK 0 | 1 | NOK 0 |
| Kristoffersen Dagligvare As | supermarket chain | Tangen 11A, 3766 Sannidal | NOK 0 | 11 | NOK 0 |
| Narvesen Butikk 451 | kiosk chain | Storgata 2, 3770 Kragerø | NOK 0 | 7 | NOK 0 |
| Palmz As | supermarket | Lauersens Bakke 5A, 3770 Kragerø | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Palmz As | supermarket chain | Lauersens Bakke 5A, 3770 Kragerø | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Ab Management Anneriek Barree | food/beverages/tobacco stores | Tveitereidveien 13, 3766 Sannidal | NOK 4.0K | 5 | NOK -11.0K |
| Bonny Minimarked As | other non-specialised store | Storgata 17/19 Trekanten, 3770 Kragerø | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK -32.0K |
| Jaheka Holding As | other non-specialised store | Dalaneveien 30, 3772 Kragerø | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK -32.0K |
| Vinmonopolet As Butikk Kragerø | alcohol store | Ytre Strandvei 11, 3770 Kragerø | NOK 74.7M | 15 | NOK -1.0M |
Conclusion
The gourmet grocery industry in Kragerø is small, with one company that has been in operation since 1974. Although the industry has been stable with no bankruptcies, the figures indicate a low EBITDA margin, which can be a challenge for entrepreneurs. The broader service sector category, however, has shown strong growth in sales and employees, which can be a positive indication for entrepreneurs wishing to establish themselves in Kragerø. It is important to consider competition law and how a new store can differentiate itself from existing companies. SmartGrunder can help entrepreneurs find suitable locations and strategies to establish themselves in this unique municipality.