Gourmet Food Store Industry in Øygarden: Current Status and Outlook

The gourmet food store sector in Øygarden is a very small industry with only one registered company, Rumiya Arbabi, operating from Straume. Although the industry has been active in the municipality since 2025, sales and employment figures indicate significant growth potential. However, it is important to note that sales history shows a decline from 2018 to 2019, and no employees are registered in the industry. This may indicate a very new and future-oriented development in the sector, especially in relation to the broader service industry in Øygarden, which has shown stable growth in recent years.

Sales and employment in the gourmet food store industry in Øygarden:

• Sales: The only registered sale in the industry occurred in 2018 with NOK 103,000, which dropped to NOK 90,000 in 2019 (a decrease of 12.6%). There have been no sales after 2019.
• Employees: No employees are registered in the industry in all years from 2016 to 2026.

Comparison with the service industry (parent category):

• The service industry in Øygarden has shown stable sales growth, increasing from NOK 1.233 million in 2016 to NOK 1.514 million in 2020. Although there has been a decline in recent years, the service industry still has higher total sales than the gourmet food store industry.
• Employees in the service industry have varied between 516 and 601 in the period 2023–2026, indicating a more stable labor market situation in this sector.

There is 1 company registered in the gourmet food store industry in Øygarden:

Business Structure Statistics:

• There is no available detailed data on business structures for companies in the industry, but the one company is a sole proprietorship (ENK). This may indicate that the industry is in an early development phase with small and newly established companies.

Distribution of activity in the municipality:

• Straume: The one company in the industry, Rumiya Arbabi, is located in Straume. This is one of the most populated areas of the municipality and has good infrastructure, which can be an advantage for a new gourmet food store.

Geographic Challenges and Opportunities:

• Øygarden has a dispersed population, and it may be challenging to reach all parts of the municipality with a local store. However, Straume can be a natural starting point for a new store, given its population numbers and infrastructure.

Bankruptcies and company dynamics:

• There are no registered bankruptcies in the gourmet food store industry in Øygarden in the period 2016–2026. This indicates a stable industry, even though there is little activity.
• The one company, Rumiya Arbabi, is not bankrupt, but has no employees and no sales after 2019. This may indicate that the company is in an early phase or has been on hold in operations.

Conclusion:

• Although there are no bankruptcies, there is significant growth potential in the industry. However, it is important to be aware of the small sales and employee numbers, which may indicate a very new and future-oriented development.

Outlook for Founders

Opportunities and Challenges:

• Opportunities: Øygarden has a stable service industry with growth in sales and employment, which can provide a good foundation for a new gourmet food store. It is also possible to utilize the existing infrastructure in Straume.
• Challenges: There is little activity in the gourmet food store industry, with no employees and low sales. This can be a challenge for a new founder who must build a customer-based market from the ground up.

Recommendation:

• Founders should consider focusing on specialized products or services that can stand out in a competitive market. It may also be beneficial to collaborate with existing companies in the service industry to leverage their network and experience.

Comparison with the service industry:

• Service Industry in Øygarden has shown stable sales growth, increasing from NOK 1.233 million in 2016 to NOK 1.514 million in 2020. Although there has been a decline in recent years, the service industry still has higher total sales than the gourmet food store industry.
• Employees: The service industry has shown a more stable labor market situation, with the number of employees between 516 and 601 in the period 2023–2026.

Peer Companies in the Service Industry:

• There are several companies in the service industry that may be relevant for founders in the gourmet food store industry, such as:
• Obs Hypermarked Sartor (sales: NOK 250.8 million, EBITDA: NOK 10.1 million)
• Aksklo As (sales: NOK 97.9 million, EBITDA: NOK 7.2 million)
• Senter Mat As (sales: NOK 95.3 million, EBITDA: NOK 6.4 million)

Conclusion:

• The service industry in Øygarden has a higher level of activity and growth than the gourmet food store industry. Founders should consider leveraging this dynamic to build a competitive store.

The gourmet food store industry in Øygarden is a small but potentially important sector with only one registered company. Although there is significant growth potential, it is important to be aware of the small sales and employee numbers. The service industry in the municipality has shown stable growth, which can provide a good foundation for a new store. Founders should consider focusing on specialized products or services and leveraging existing networks in the service industry. SmartGrunder can help founders find suitable addresses and develop a strategy to build a competitive store in Øygarden.