The Clothing Store Industry in Drammen: An Analysis of Companies, Statistics, and Outlooks

The clothing store industry in Drammen is an important part of the municipality's creative and entertainment sector. With 194 registered companies in 2025, data shows that the industry has been marked by both growth and decline over the years. A significant sales decline of 36.6% from 2024 to 2025 (from NOK 889.6M to NOK 564.1M) and a decrease in the number of employees (from 690 to 644) indicate challenges. At the same time, there are positive signals, such as Stadium Outlet Norge's 33% increase in sales. However, the industry has not recorded any bankruptcies among the reported companies, suggesting a certain level of stabilization.

Sales and Employees

Sales have shown highly uneven development over the years. The most significant decline occurred in 2025, with a reduction of 36.6% compared to 2024. This is one of the most significant declines in the data. Number of employees has also shown variations, with a decrease from 690 in 2024 to 644 in 2025. This may be due to both economic pressure and changes in operational strategy.

EBITDA and Margins

EBITDA margins vary greatly between companies. For example, Stadium Outlet Norge As had an EBITDA margin of 5%, while Match Gulskogen had a higher margin of 21%. This shows that some companies have better cost control or higher prices.

Economic Trends

Sales and employees have shown variations, but there are no clear trends across the entire period. Some companies have performed well, while others have been affected by declines. This may be due to various factors such as market conditions, bankruptcy, and operational strategy.

Registered Companies

There are 16 companies specifically mentioned in the data, but there are a total of 194 companies in the industry in Drammen. The mentioned companies include both large chains such as H&M and Lindex, as well as smaller local companies such as Friluftsmagasinet As and Lichi As. These companies have different operational results and organizational forms.

Organizational Forms

Most companies are organized as AS (73 companies), while fewer companies are organized as Enk (2 companies) and Nuf (1 company). This shows that AS is the most common organizational form in the industry.

Distribution of Activity

Most companies (53) and employees (554) are located in Drammen itself. Krokstadelva has 16 companies and 112 employees, while Mjøndalen has 2 companies and 24 employees. Svelvik, Solbergmoen, and Solbergelva have very little activity, with 0 companies or employees. This shows that the industry is strongly concentrated in Drammen and Krokstadelva.

Bankruptcy and Operational Stability

None of the reported companies have recorded bankruptcy, which suggests a certain level of operational stability in the industry. This may be due to good cost control, high customer loyalty, or effective operational strategies. However, it is important to note that some companies have lower EBITDA margins, which may be an indication of economic challenges.

Development Trends

The large sales decline in 2025 (36.6%) may be a challenge for new players in the industry. This may be due to various factors such as economic pressure, bankruptcy, or changes in consumer behavior. However, there are opportunities for companies that can adapt to the market, for example, through a focus on niche markets or digital presence. Companies such as Stadium Outlet Norge As have shown that it is possible to achieve high sales growth (33%) in a highly competitive sector.

Comparison with the Broader Sector

The creative, art, and entertainment activities sector in Drammen has 266 companies, showing that the clothing store industry is part of a larger sector. Sales in this broader sector were NOK 720.6M in 2025, which is higher than the clothing store industry's NOK 564.1M. This shows that the clothing store industry is part of a sector with variations in operational results, but also opportunities for growth in other parts of the sector, such as shoe and second-hand stores. New players should consider analyzing both the clothing store industry and the broader sector to find opportunities.

The clothing store industry in Drammen has both challenges and opportunities. The large sales decline in 2025 shows a need for strategic adaptation, while the stability in operations and the presence of large chains show potential. For new players, it may be profitable to analyze market keys and utilize local conditions. SmartGrunder can help find optimal addresses and strategies to establish themselves in Drammen.