Industry · municipality
The Clothing Retail Industry in Harstad: Current Status and Future Outlook
A Detailed Analysis of Companies, Economic Data, and Development Trends
Executive Summary
The clothing retail industry in Harstad consists of a mix of established and new companies, with a total of 42 registered companies in the municipality. In 2024, there are 23 companies operating in Harstad, employing 248 people and achieving combined sales of 178.1 million NOK. The industry has shown variation in its development, with strong sales growth up to 2023, followed by a sharp decline in 2024 and 2025. The EBITDA margin stands at 4%, indicating moderate profitability. The industry also has a mix of organizational forms, with 22 AS companies and 1 ENK.
Economic Data
Economic data for the clothing retail industry in Harstad
| Year | Sales (NOK) | Employees | EBITDA (NOK) | EBITDA Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 176.2M | 207 | 8.3M | 4% |
| 2023 | 280.7M | 220 | 8.3M | 4% |
| 2024 | 178.3M | 244 | 8.3M | 4% |
| 2025 | 102.0M | 214 | 8.3M | 4% |
Sales in the industry increased up to 2023, with a 15.2% increase from 2022 to 2023. This was followed by a sharp decline of 36.5% in 2024 and 42.8% in 2025. The number of employees has shown a more stable development, increasing from 197 in 2021 to 244 in 2024. The EBITDA margin has remained relatively stable at 4%, despite variations in the profitability of individual companies.
Companies in the Industry
Companies in the clothing retail industry in Harstad
The following companies operate in the clothing retail industry in Harstad:
- Vakre Vene As – 85 employees, founded 2024-03-07, address: Strandgata 1, Harstad.
- H & M Hennes & Mauritz As Avd 882 Kaneborgen – 19 employees, founded 2017-04-06, address: Skilleveien 4, Harstad.
- Kappahl As Avd 331 Harstad – 15 employees, founded 1986-09-01, address: Torvet 2, Harstad.
- Lindex As Avd Harstad Alti – 15 employees, founded 2022-11-17, address: Fjordgata 1, Harstad.
| 5. Cubus Thon Senter Kanebogen Avd 915 – 10 employees, founded 1995-02-23, address: Kanebogen | Skilleveien 5, Harstad. |
|---|
There are no bankrupt companies in the industry, but there are variations in profitability. For example, Vw/j&j Kanebogen Avd 25 had a negative EBITDA of 46,000 NOK in 2024, while Dressmann Thon Senter Kanebogen Avd 188 had an EBITDA of 2.5M NOK in 2024.
Business Geography
Business geography in Harstad
All companies in the clothing retail industry in Harstad are registered in Harstad. There are 23 companies with 248 employees in the municipality. The main addresses are:
- Skilleveien 4, 5 and 5 – multiple companies, including H&M, Dressmann and Cubus.
- Fjordgata 1 – Lindex and Janne's.
- Torvet 2 – Kappahl.
- Strandgata 1 – Vakre Vene As.
There is no activity in other districts or municipalities in this industry.
Business Dynamics
Business dynamics and bankruptcy statistics
There are no bankrupt companies in the clothing retail industry in Harstad. However, there are variations in profitability. For example, Mg Varehus As had a negative EBITDA of -2.6M NOK in 2024, while Tornerose As had a negative EBITDA of -138,000 NOK in 2024. This shows that some companies have been affected by economic challenges, even though there have been no bankruptcies. There are also companies that have shown strong growth, such as Vakre Vene As, which was founded in 2024 and has 85 employees.
Outlook
Outlook for entrepreneurs
For entrepreneurs in the clothing retail industry in Harstad, there are both opportunities and challenges. The industry has shown a sharp decline in sales from 2023 to 2025, which may be due to economic pressure and bankruptcy risk. However, established companies can provide inspiration and opportunities for collaboration. There are also opportunities in the broader creative, arts and entertainment activities sector, which has a higher sales volume and more companies. Entrepreneurs should consider differentiating themselves and focusing on innovation to compete in a market area with variations in profitability.
Outlook for the Broader Sector
Outlook for the broader creative, arts and entertainment activities sector
The broader creative, arts and entertainment activities sector in Harstad has a higher sales volume and more companies than the clothing retail industry. In 2023, the sector had sales of 308.5M NOK, with 267 employees. This shows that the sector has greater economic access and growth potential. Current companies in the sector include:
| Name | Address | Sales (NOK) | EBITDA (NOK) | Employees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kanebogen Sko As | Skilleveien 5, 9411 Harstad | 10.7M | 1.3M | 10 |
| Skoringen Harstad Kanebogen | Skilleveien 5, 9411 Harstad | 7.8M | 608.7K | 7 |
| Magnussen Spesialsko Harstad | Mercurveien 39, 9408 Harstad | 4.1M | 422.7K | 2 |
The sector also has challenges, such as a 30.3% sales decline from 2023 to 2024. Entrepreneurs should consider leveraging the sector's strengths while being aware of the economic challenges.
Other companies in kreative, kunst og underholdningsaktiviteter (not in clothing store)
| Company | Industry | Address | Sales | Employees | EBITDA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kanebogen Sko As | footwear store | Skilleveien 5, 9411 Harstad | NOK 10.7M | 10 | NOK 1.3M |
| Skoringen Harstad Kanebogen | footwear store | Skilleveien 5, 9411 Harstad | NOK 7.8M | 7 | NOK 608.7K |
| Magnussen Spesialsko Harstad | footwear store | Mercurveien 39, 9408 Harstad | NOK 4.1M | 2 | NOK 422.7K |
| Fretex Miljø As Avd Butikk Harstad | second-hand goods store | Storgata 34, 9406 Harstad | NOK 13.3M | 11 | NOK 252.7K |
| Garn & Sånt As | knit store | Bertheustorget|Fjordgata 1, 9405 Harstad | NOK 3.2M | 9 | NOK 167.0K |
| Askeladden Bruktbutikk As | second-hand goods store | Skolegata 11B, 9404 Harstad | NOK 282.0K | 1 | NOK 23.0K |
| Casa Gunn As | second-hand goods store | Reirstubben 4, 9403 Harstad | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Larsen Nyborg Entrepreneurs | knit store | Grønnebakkan 58, 9408 Harstad | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Moto Invest As | footwear store | Vinsjveien 4, 9411 Harstad | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Norske Bunader Oslo As Avd Harstad | national clothing store | Sjøgata 3, 9405 Harstad | NOK 0 | 1 | NOK 0 |
| Sko Dilla As | footwear store | Strandgata 4, 9405 Harstad | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Villa Kvilstad Sven Tore Fredriksen | second-hand goods store | Storgata 46, 9406 Harstad | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Cefo & Partners As | second-hand goods store | Storgata 61, 9406 Harstad | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK -14.0K |
| Skohuset Harstad As | footwear store | Rikard Kaarbøs gate 11, 9405 Harstad | NOK 5.2M | 7 | NOK -71.0K |
| Lileng As | knit store | Damveien 12, 9411 Harstad | NOK 6.3M | 4 | NOK -235.0K |
Conclusion
The clothing retail industry in Harstad has both opportunities and challenges. There are established companies that can provide inspiration, but there is also a decline in sales and variations in profitability. Entrepreneurs should consider differentiating themselves and focusing on innovation to compete in a market area with variations in profitability. At the same time, the broader creative, arts and entertainment activities sector can provide opportunities for collaboration and growth. SmartGrunder can help entrepreneurs find suitable addresses and develop strategies to succeed in this industry.