The Clothing Retail Industry in Bærum: Current Status and Outlook

The clothing retail industry in Bærum is an important part of the municipality's commercial sector, with a mix of international brands and local players. The industry has experienced both growth and challenges in recent years, with clear competition between large chains and local stores. There are 208 companies registered in the industry, with a combination of AS and NUF as organizational forms. An important challenge is the increasing competition and economic pressures that have led to more bankruptcies, especially in recent years.

Economic Trends

The industry has experienced significant sales growth from 2016 to 2017, with an increase of 67.4%, but has subsequently experienced a decline in the following years. In 2026, sales were NOK 206.3 million, a decrease of 75.9% compared to 2025. Employees have also shown a decline over time, with a reduction from 946 in 2016 to 777 in 2026. This shows a weak economic development in the industry in recent years, with an average annual decline of 2.5% in the number of employees.

Key Players in the Industry

The industry in Bærum is dominated by well-known international chains such as H&M, Zara (Inditex), and Lindex, which have large presences in Sandvika. These companies have high sales volumes and employees, with examples such as:

• Inditex Norge As Avd Sandvika: 70 employees, sales of NOK 198.6 million
• H&M Hennes & Mauritz As Avd 724 Sandvika: 51 employees, sales of NOK 85.9 million
• Lindex As Avd Brodkorbsgt: 17 employees, sales of NOK 19.0 million

There is also a presence of local companies such as Limami As and Sommerfeldt Bærums Verk As, which have smaller scale but contribute to the local economy.

Clothing stores in Bærum are most concentrated in Sandvika, which has 40 companies and 536 employees. Other important areas are Fornebu (10 companies, 66 employees) and Rykkinn (5 companies, 40 employees). Bekkestua and Snarøya also have a presence, but with a lower number of companies and employees. The geographical distribution shows that Sandvika is an important commercial hub for clothing stores in the municipality.

Dynamics and Challenges

The industry has experienced several bankruptcies, especially in recent years. Examples of bankrupt companies include:

• M+b Web As in Sandvika: Sales of NOK 1.2 million, EBITDA of NOK -139,000
• Mark And Brandy As in Sandvika: Sales of NOK 14.1 million, EBITDA of NOK -4.5 million
• Pippa As in Eiksmarka: Sales of NOK 4.2 million, EBITDA of NOK -851,000

These cases illustrate the economic challenges in the industry, such as high bankruptcy rates and low margins. This may be due to economic pressures, high competitiveness, and changes in customer behavior.

Outlook for Entrepreneurs

For entrepreneurs considering starting a clothing store in Bærum, it is important to be aware of the competitive market. Sandvika is a prominent place to establish oneself, but it is necessary to differentiate from the large chains. It is also important to be aware of the economic challenges, such as high bankruptcy rates and low margins. Entrepreneurs should consider focusing on unique product lines, local presence, and customer customization to create an advantage in the market.

Outlook for Creative, Arts, and Entertainment Activities

The broader creative, arts, and entertainment activities sector in Bærum has a higher number of companies (284) compared to the clothing retail industry (208). Sales in this sector have shown a more stable development, with an increase of 56.0% from 2016 to 2017, and a decline of 77.7% in 2026. Employees have also shown a more stable development, with a decline of 3.7% in 2026 compared to 2016. This shows that the broader sector has a more stable economic development compared to the clothing retail industry.

The clothing retail industry in Bærum has shown both growth and challenges in recent years. With high competitiveness and several bankruptcies, it is important for entrepreneurs to be aware of the economic challenges. Sandvika is a prominent place to establish oneself, but it is necessary to differentiate from the large chains. The broader creative, arts, and entertainment activities sector has a more stable economic development, which can be an important factor for entrepreneurs considering starting a business in Bærum.