The Home Trade Industry in Øygarden: Growth, Structure, and Opportunities

Øygarden: A Growth Market for Home Trade Stores

Øygarden in Vestland has developed into an important hub for home trade stores in the region. With 17 registered companies in the industry and an annual sales growth of 21.7% in 2025, data shows a stable growth trend. The most active part of the municipality is Straume, which hosts 5 of the 7 active companies and accounts for over 80% of the industry's total number of employees. This shows that Straume is a strategic location for entrepreneurs in the sector.

Economic Development: Stable Growth Pattern with Variations

Sales Development (2016–2025):

Employee Development (2016–2026):

The industry has experienced significant growth from 2016 to 2025, with a total sales increase of 155%. The number of employees has grown by 64% over the same period, although there have been variations. The most significant sales growth occurred in 2025, while the number of employees had weaker growth in 2023.

Key Players in the Industry: AS-Dominated Structure with Variations

Key Companies in Øygarden:

The industry is dominated by AS companies (6 companies), but there are also sole proprietorships (ENK) such as Arntsen Søgnebotnen and Garnboden V/bodil Tveit. The most profitable companies have EBITDA margins above 10%, while Go Dream As has negative EBITDA due to losses of 145,000 NOK.

Geographic Distribution: Straume as the Main Arena

Activity per Neighborhood in Øygarden:

Straume is the dominant business area with 15 companies, while Rong has only one company (Nille Rong) with no activity. This distribution shows that Straume is a strategic location for entrepreneurs in the industry, with a high concentration of business activity and employees.

Operational Dynamics: Stable with Some Challenges

Bankruptcies and Financial Challenges:

• Bankruptcies: No companies in the industry are registered as bankrupt in 2026.
• Negative EBITDA: 3 companies (Feel Sartor, Kremmerhuset Ting & Sånt As, Drømmekjøkkenet Sotra As) had negative EBITDA in 2025, with losses up to 346,800 NOK.
• Lowest Margins: Drømmekjøkkenet Sotra As had an EBITDA margin of 2%, while Go Dream As had a negative margin.

The industry has been stable with no bankruptcies, but some companies have faced challenges with low revenue and high operating costs.

Outlook for Entrepreneurs: Growth Potential in a Competitive Market

The home trade industry in Øygarden shows clear growth trends, especially in Straume, where 80% of the industry's employees are located. With an annual sales growth of 21.7% in 2025 and a stable increase in the number of employees, there are good prospects for new players. Entrepreneurs should, however, be aware of competition from existing companies and the financial challenges shown by some actors. SmartGrunder can help find optimal locations in Straume for new business ideas in the sector.

Comparison with Financial Services: A Larger and More Stable Sector

Financial Services in Øygarden (2025):

• Number of Companies: 25 (the industry has 17 companies)
• Sales: 110.2M NOK (home trade: 100.7M NOK)
• Employees: 81 (home trade: 69)
• EBITDA Margins: Financial services have higher stability in EBITDA compared to home trade.

Peer Companies in Financial Services:

Financial services have a larger and more stable sector with higher sales and employee numbers, which can be an interesting comparison for home trade actors.

Conclusion: A Growth Market City with Challenges and Opportunities

The home trade industry in Øygarden shows clear growth trends, especially in Straume, with an annual sales growth of 21.7% in 2025. With 17 companies and 69 employees in 2026, it is a stable and growth-oriented sector. Entrepreneurs should, however, be aware of competition from existing actors and the financial challenges shown by some companies. Øygarden is an attractive place for entrepreneurs in the sector, with good growth opportunities in a competitive market.