The Health Food Store Industry in Bodø: Current Status and Outlook

The health food store industry in Bodø is a small but dynamic sector with two registered companies: Life City Nord and Sunkost Butikk As. The industry has shown variable growth over the years, with a significant sales increase of 30% in 2020, but also declines in 2021 and 2022. The number of employees has varied between 11 and 13 over the past five years, with stabilization in 2025. Sunkost Butikk As has been the most profitable player, with an EBITDA of NOK 475,000 and a sales growth of 30% in 2020. The industry has not recorded any bankruptcies, but the small number of companies may indicate limited competitiveness.

Key figures:

• Number of companies: 2
• Number of employees (2025): 13
• Sales (2025): NOK 6.7 million
• EBITDA (2025): NOK 475,000

The health food store industry in Bodø has shown a complex development over the years. Sales have grown from NOK 219,954 in 2017 to NOK 6.7 million in 2025, with a significant increase of 979.3% between 2017 and 2018. This was followed by a decline of 15% in 2019, before a strong growth of 175.6% in 2020. In 2021 and 2022, declines of 33.2% and 15.3% respectively were recorded, before stabilization in 2023 and 2024. In 2025, the industry achieved a sales growth of 13.4%.

The number of employees has been more stable, increasing from 0 in 2016 to 13 in 2021, followed by a decline to 10 in 2022 and stabilization at 11 in 2025. The most profitable player, Sunkost Butikk As, had an operating income of NOK 10.1 million in 2021 and an EBITDA margin of 4%.

Table: Sales and employees over time

In Bodø, two companies are registered within the health food store industry:

1. Life City Nord (Stormyra, Bodø)

• Organizational form: AS
• Founded: 2000-01-01
• Number of employees: 7
• Bankruptcy status: No bankruptcy
• Sales: NOK 0 (data missing)

1. Sunkost Butikk As (Hunstadsenteret, Bodø)

• Organizational form: AS
• Founded: 2017-10-24
• Number of employees: 6
• Bankruptcy status: No bankruptcy
• Sales: NOK 10.1 million in 2021
• EBITDA: NOK 475,000 in 2021
• Gross margin: 1492%

Organizational form: Both companies are registered as AS (Anonymous Companies), indicating a certain level of structure and formal organization.

The health food store industry in Bodø is concentrated in the Bodø area, with two companies operating in different parts of the municipality:

• Life City Nord operates in Stormyra, one of Bodø's most well-known shopping centers.
• Sunkost Butikk As has its store in Hunstadsenteret, another important commercial area in the municipality.

Table: Distribution of companies by location

The industry has shown visual dynamism over the years, with both growth and decline. No bankruptcies have been recorded in the industry, indicating relative stabilization. Nevertheless, there have been variations in the number of employees and sales, which may be due to market variations, competitiveness, and economic conditions.

Key observations:

• Largest growth: 979.3% between 2017 and 2018.
• Largest decline: 33.2% in 2021.
• Stabilization: From 2023 and 2024, the industry has shown stable growth of 21.6% and 13.4% respectively.
• Number of employees: Has varied between 0 and 13, with stabilization at 11–13 in 2025.

Outlook for Entrepreneurs

For entrepreneurs considering starting a health food store in Bodø, it is important to consider both opportunities and challenges. The industry showed a sales growth of 30% in 2020, indicating a growing market for health food. However, there were declines in 2021 and 2022, which may be due to economic conditions or competitiveness.

Opportunities:

• Growing sales: In 2025, the industry achieved a sales growth of 13.4%.
• Stable number of employees: 11–13 employees in 2025.
• Low competitiveness: Only two companies in the industry.

Challenges:

• Competitiveness: Larger shopping centers and supermarkets may be a challenge.
• Stable economic conditions: It is important to ensure stable income and EBITDA.
• Market understanding: It is important to understand local conditions and customers in Bodø.

The services sector in Bodø is a much larger and more diversified sector than the health food store industry. There are 111 companies registered in the services sector, compared to just two in the health food store industry. Sales in the services sector have grown from NOK 2.0 billion in 2016 to NOK 2.5 billion in 2025, with an average annual growth of approximately 2.8%.

Table: Services sector vs. health food store industry

Peer companies in the services sector:

• Obs City Nord (supermarket chain) – Sales: NOK 332.1 M, EBITDA: NOK 17.1 M
• Cafe City Nord (supermarket chain) – Sales: NOK 108.4 M, EBITDA: NOK 5.6 M
• Extra Tverlandet (supermarket chain) – Sales: NOK 94.4 M, EBITDA: NOK 4.9 M
• Extra Mørkved (supermarket chain) – Sales: NOK 80.4 M, EBITDA: NOK 4.2 M
• Coop Prix Saltstraumen (supermarket chain) – Sales: NOK 69.9 M, EBITDA: NOK 3.6 M

Conclusion: The services sector has a much larger market share and economic strength than the health food store industry, but the health food store industry has shown stronger growth in recent years.

The health food store industry in Bodø is a small but dynamic sector with potential for growth. With two companies and stabilization in the number of employees and sales in 2025, it is possible to see future development. However, it is important to consider competitiveness and economic conditions. Entrepreneurs should consider analyzing local conditions and competitiveness before making decisions to start a health food store in Bodø. SmartGrunder can help entrepreneurs find suitable addresses and develop strategies to compete in this sector.