Industry · municipality
The Clothing Store Industry in Holmestrand
An analysis of companies, statistics, and opportunities for entrepreneurs and local decision-makers in Holmestrand, Vestfold, and Telemark, Norway.
Brief overview of the clothing store industry in Holmestrand
The clothing store industry in Holmestrand has shown a mix of strengths and challenges. In 2025, there are 16 companies registered in the sector, with a total of 136 employees. Sales have grown by 10% annually, but the EBITDA margin stands at only 3%, indicating high costs and competition. There has been a clear increase in the number of employees since 2016, from 43 to 129, but sales have been more unstable, with a sharp decline in 2019 and an increase in 2023. The sector also has a high share of AS companies (17 companies), while there is one ENK (sole proprietorship).
Economic overview of the sector
Sales and employees over time
| Year | Sales (NOK) | Employees | Annual sales growth | Annual employee growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 50.5M | 43 | - | - |
| 2017 | 64.6M | 46 | +27.8% | +7.0% |
| 2018 | 91.1M | 50 | +41.1% | +8.7% |
| 2019 | 54.9M | 46 | -39.7% | -8.0% |
| 2020 | 55.0M | 61 | +0.2% | +32.6% |
| 2021 | 72.3M | 95 | +31.3% | +55.7% |
| 2022 | 71.3M | 106 | -1.4% | +11.6% |
| 2023 | 110.1M | 117 | +54.4% | +10.4% |
| 2024 | 64.8M | 129 | -41.1% | +10.3% |
| 2025 | 66.1M | 129 | +2.0% | +0.0% |
Sales have been highly variable, with a sharp increase in 2023 (+54.4%) and a decline in 2024 (-41.1%). The number of employees has grown continuously since 2016, with a strong increase in 2020 and 2021. The EBITDA margin has been low, at 3% in 2025, which may indicate high operating costs or low pricing.
Companies in the sector
Registered companies in the sector
In Holmestrand, there are 16 companies registered in the clothing store sector, with the following organizational forms:
- AS (17 companies): 140 employees, 60.9M in operating income, 10.0M in wages, 2% EBITDA margin.
- ENK (1 company): 4 employees, 0 in operating income, 0% EBITDA margin.
The most well-known companies include:
- Boutique Grensen AS (Bentsrudveien 11): 8 employees, 20.8M in sales, 9% EBITDA margin.
- Inspira Holmestrand AS (Langgaten 19): 8 employees, 3.7M in sales, 4% EBITDA margin.
- Petter & Pia AS (Kleivbrottet 3): 7 employees, 21.0M in sales, 0% EBITDA margin.
Many companies have 0 in sales and EBITDA, which may indicate that they are new or operate at a loss.
Business geography
Distribution of activity in the municipality
The clothing store sector is most active in Holmestrand and Sande in Vestfold:
| Location | Number of companies | Number of employees | Sales (NOK) | EBITDA margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Holmestrand | 16 | 136 | 57.2M | 3% |
| Sande in Vestfold | 2 | 8 | 3.7M | -8% |
Holmestrand has a much higher level of activity, with 16 companies and 136 employees, compared to Sande in Vestfold, which has 2 companies and 8 employees. The EBITDA margin in Holmestrand is 3%, while in Sande in Vestfold it is negative (-8%).
Business dynamics and bankruptcy statistics
None of the registered companies in the clothing store sector in Holmestrand are in bankruptcy, which is a positive indicator. However, data shows that some companies operate at a loss, such as Kastell Invest AS (Sande in Vestfold) with a -8% EBITDA margin and Petter & Pia AS (Holmestrand) with 0% EBITDA. This may indicate that some companies have high operating costs or low pricing. There are also more companies with 0 in sales, which may indicate that they are new or operate at a loss.
Outlook for entrepreneurs
The clothing store sector in Holmestrand has shown growth in the number of employees and a partial increase in sales, but the EBITDA margin is low. This may be a challenge for new entrepreneurs, who must focus on cost control and differentiation to achieve better margins. There are also opportunities in a growing sector, with 146 employees in 2026 and an increase in sales in 2023. Entrepreneurs should also consider collaborating with other companies in the sector to create synergies and improve market positioning.
Outlook for the broader sector
The broader sector creative, art, and entertainment activities has 67 companies in Holmestrand, with 180 employees in 2026 and 86.2M in sales in 2025. This is a larger sector than the clothing store sector, which has 43 companies and 66.1M in sales. The sector has a higher EBITDA margin (4%) compared to the clothing store sector (3%). Peer companies in the broader sector include Kid Interiør AS (knitting store) and Eurosko Sande (shoe store), which have higher sales and EBITDA than many clothing stores. Entrepreneurs should consider integrating into this broader sector to take advantage of opportunities in creative and entertainment-related activities.
Other companies in kreative, kunst og underholdningsaktiviteter (not in clothing store)
| Company | Industry | Address | Sales | Employees | EBITDA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kid Interiør As 164 Avd Holmestrand | knit store | Langgaten 25B, 3080 Holmestrand | NOK 7.3M | 5 | NOK 1.1M |
| Eurosko Sande | footwear store | Sentrumsgården, 3070 Sande I Vestfold | NOK 6.2M | 5 | NOK 634.0K |
| Berg Cord | knit store | Steinalderveien 2, 3077 Sande I Vestfold | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Brugthandler Andersen | second-hand goods store | Langgaten 21A, 3080 Holmestrand | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Dgh Franchise As | second-hand goods store | c/o Niels Gerner Nielsen|Holtungveien 5, 3083 Holmestrand | NOK 0 | 4 | NOK 0 |
| Fonna Apparel Mathias Bentsrud | knit store | Hagasandveien 13, 3077 Sande I Vestfold | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Greenloop As | second-hand goods store | c/o Niels Gerner Nielsen|Holtungveien 5, 3083 Holmestrand | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Karin Gundersen | second-hand goods store | Kleiverudveien 127, 3086 Holmestrand | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Karin Gundersen | second-hand goods store | Kleiverudveien 127, 3086 Holmestrand | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Kjerstin Jensen | second-hand goods store | Langgaten 11, 3080 Holmestrand | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Kjerstin Jensen | second-hand goods store | Langgaten 11, 3080 Holmestrand | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| L3 Opdahl | second-hand goods store | Østenga 5, 3074 Sande I Vestfold | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Motepinnen Laila Jacobsen | knit store | Tordenskjoldsgate 6, 3080 Holmestrand | NOK 0 | 3 | NOK 0 |
| Nina Catrin Kielberg Strikk | knit store | Barlinveien 5A, 3084 Holmestrand | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Ohmeohmy Nuf | footwear store | Arild Wahlstrøms vei 86B, 3077 Sande I Vestfold | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Omegavitalsolution Da | second-hand goods store | Hofslundveien 6, 3090 | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Pape Gjenbruk | second-hand goods store | Gamle Kongevei 35, 3074 Sande I Vestfold | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Regnbuen Ressurs Bruktbutikk Og Redesign Tone Pedersen | second-hand goods store | Hvittingfossveien 201B, 3089 Holmestrand | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Skråmestø Netthandel | knit store | Galleberggata 1, 3073 Sande I Vestfold | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Vaagrand Da | knit store | 0, 3083 Holmestrand | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Vestfold Handverksenter G Kjøll | knit store | Stubberudveien 2, 3089 Holmestrand | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Preteritum As | second-hand goods store | Tordenskjoldsgate 5, 3080 Holmestrand | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK -9.0K |
| Molene As | knit store | Eidsfossveien 58, 3095 | NOK 931.0K | 5 | NOK -182.0K |
| Husfliden Holmestrand Sa | national clothing store | Langgaten 18, 3080 Holmestrand | NOK 7.4M | 8 | NOK -343.0K |
Conclusion
The clothing store sector in Holmestrand has shown a mix of growth and challenges. With 16 companies and 136 employees in 2025, as well as annual growth in the number of employees, it is a positive development. However, the EBITDA margin is low, which may be a challenge for new entrepreneurs. The broader sector creative, art, and entertainment activities has a higher EBITDA margin and more companies, which may provide opportunities for collaboration and development. SmartGrunder can help entrepreneurs find suitable addresses in Holmestrand for this sector, with a focus on natural business opportunities.