The Clothing Retail Industry in Bergen: Current Status and Outlook

Overview of the Clothing Retail Industry in Bergen

The clothing retail industry in Bergen is an important part of the local business scene, with 417 registered companies in the municipality. The industry has shown variation in its development in recent years, with a significant decline in sales and number of employees in 2025 and 2026. Nevertheless, there are several major players, such as H&M, Inditex, and Lindex, which have a strong presence in Bergen and surrounding areas. One of the most well-known bankruptcies in the industry is Golden Point AS in Sandsli, which was a significant event in 2025.

The industry has experienced variations in sales and number of employees over time. Sales declined sharply by 35.1% in 2025 compared to 2024, and continued with a steep decline of 96.1% in 2026. The number of employees saw a weak increase in 2022 and 2023, but fell again in 2024 and 2025. In 2026, the industry had 1,860 employees, which is a slight increase compared to 2025. This shows that the industry has been affected by market variations, but has shown some signs of stabilization in recent years.

The industry in Bergen includes a range of large and small companies. Among the most well-known are H&M, which has several branches in Bergen, and Inditex, which has a presence in Rådal. Other major companies include Monsieur Scabal, Lager 157, and Emil Retail. Most companies are organized as AS, and only one company type is registered in the industry. The most well-known companies have high income and have been established for several years, demonstrating their stability in the market.

The clothing retail industry is spread across several districts and municipalities in Bergen. Bergen has the highest number of companies (77) and employees (773), while Rådal and Nyborg also have significant presence. There is also activity in smaller districts such as Loddefjord, Ulset, and Fyllingsdalen. This shows that the industry is spread across several areas in the municipality, and not only concentrated in the city center.

The industry has experienced a bankruptcy in 2025, namely Golden Point AS in Sandsli. This company had no sales or employees, and this shows that there has been a significant decline in activity in this part of the municipality. Nevertheless, most companies in the industry have shown stability, with high income and established organizations. It is important to note that the bankruptcy has not affected the entire industry, but shows that there can be challenges in certain areas.

Outlook for Entrepreneurs

For entrepreneurs considering starting a clothing store in Bergen, it is important to be aware of the recent decline in sales and number of employees. Nevertheless, there are opportunities in certain areas, especially in districts with high activity such as Bergen, Rådal, and Nyborg. It may be beneficial to collaborate with established companies such as H&M and Inditex, which have a strong presence in the municipality. It is also important to be aware of bankruptcies and other challenges in the industry, and to plan for how to handle potential declines in the market.

Creative, arts, and entertainment activities are a broader category that includes the clothing retail industry. This category has 621 companies in Bergen, showing that it is a larger and more diversified industry than clothing stores alone. Sales and number of employees have shown a weaker decline in 2025 compared to the clothing retail industry, and there are more companies in this category with high income. This shows that creative, arts, and entertainment activities have a more stable development than clothing stores alone. It may be beneficial for entrepreneurs to look at companies in this category as potential partners or competitors.

The clothing retail industry in Bergen has shown variations in its development in recent years, with a significant decline in sales and number of employees in 2025 and 2026. Nevertheless, there are several large companies with a strong presence in the municipality, and there are opportunities for entrepreneurs who want to start a clothing store. It is important to be aware of bankruptcies and other challenges in the industry, and to plan for how to handle potential declines in the market. SmartGrunder can help entrepreneurs find suitable addresses in Bergen for the clothing retail industry, and provide advice on how to navigate this market segment.