Home Goods Store Industry in Kongsberg: An Analysis of Companies, Statistics, and Outlooks

Executive Summary

Kongsberg has an active home goods store industry with 15 registered companies, 10 of which operate with positive revenues and EBITDA. Employment development has been uneven but increased from 28 in 2023 to 41 in 2026. Sales development has been more volatile, peaking at NOK 27.3 million in 2024 before a sharp decline in 2025. The industry shows potential but faces challenges related to bankruptcies and uncertainty in sales figures. The broader financial services group in the municipality has a more stable development, which could provide a basis for future strategy.

Economic Overview

Sales Development (2016–2025):

• Highest sales: NOK 27.3 million in 2024 (+28.2% from 2023)
• Lowest sales: NOK 17.6 million in 2025 (-35.6% from 2024)
• Average annual sales: NOK 21.6 million

Employment Development (2016–2026):

• Highest number of employees: 41 in 2026 (+10.8% from 2025)
• Lowest number of employees: 26 in 2018
• Average annual number of employees: 32

Critical Observation: The sales decline in 2025 (35.6%) indicates significant uncertainty in the industry, while the employment increase in 2024–2026 suggests increased activity in operating companies.

Companies in the Industry

Registered Companies (15 total):

• AS-form (10 companies): Dominates with positive revenues and EBITDA. Examples: Kid Interiør As (EBITDA: NOK 1.8M), Princess Avd 133 Kongsberg (EBITDA: NOK 122.4K).
• ENK-form (5 companies): Often have zero employees and revenues but show potential for future development.

Special Observations:

• Nille Kongsberg and Eirik Hotvedt have zero revenues and employees, which may indicate recent start-up or inactivity.
• Lev Vel As has negative EBITDA (-NOK 4.0K) and total debt of NOK 5.0K, which could be a risk for future operations.

Business Geography

Activity in Kongsberg:

• Storgata 28: Feel Kongsberg and Kid Interiør As operate here with 9 employees each.
• Karsches gate 3: Nille Kongsberg, Princess Avd 133 Kongsberg and Kremmerhuset Ting & Sånt As are located here.
• Sentrumsveien 82: Flatzes Krambod in Hvittingfoss is the only company outside Kongsberg's city center.

Conclusion: The industry is strongly concentrated in Kongsberg's city center areas, which can provide advantages with high traffic and visibility.

Business Dynamics and Bankruptcies

Bankruptcies: No bankruptcies are registered in the industry in Kongsberg, indicating stable operations.

EBITDA Development:

• Positive EBITDA: 5 companies (including Kid Interiør As with 14% EBITDA margin).
• Negative EBITDA: 3 companies (including Kremmerhuset Ting & Sånt As with -4% margin).

Risk Analysis: Although there are no bankruptcies, some companies (such as Lev Vel As) show negative EBITDA and debt, which could indicate economic challenges.

Outlook

For Entrepreneurs:

• Opportunities: Increased number of employees (from 28 in 2023 to 41 in 2026) and a good location system in Kongsberg's city center can provide advantages.
• Challenges: The sales decline in 2025 (-35.6%) and uncertainty in EBITDA margins (from -6% to 14%) require robust financial planning.
• Recommendation: Focus on customer satisfaction and differentiation of offerings can help new entrants compete in an industry with both stable and uncertain companies.

Contrast to the home goods store industry:

• Number of companies: Financial services has 25 companies (more than the home goods store industry).
• Sales development: Financial services had highest sales in 2024 (NOK 55.9M) versus home goods stores' NOK 27.3M.
• Employment development: Financial services had 66 employees in 2026 (versus 41 in the home goods store industry).

Peer companies in financial services:

• Ark Bokhandel As Avd Kongsberg (sales: NOK 14.1M, EBITDA: NOK 2.1M)
• Norli Stortorvet, Kongsberg (sales: NOK 10.5M, EBITDA: NOK 787.8K)

Conclusion: Financial services has a more stable and larger development, which could provide a basis for comparison for the home goods store industry in the future.

Conclusion

Kongsberg's home goods store industry shows potential with increasing number of employees and a good geographic distribution in the city center. Nevertheless, sales development is uncertain, with a sharp decline in 2025. Entrepreneurs should consider focusing on differentiation and customer satisfaction to compete in an industry with both stable and uncertain companies. SmartGrunder can help find optimal locations in Kongsberg for this industry.