The Clothing Store Industry in Kongsvinger: Current Status and Outlook

The clothing store industry in Kongsvinger has a clear presence with 16 registered companies, although only 10 of these have employees. The most well-known names are H&M, Lindex, and Match, which operate in Kongsvinger's city center. The industry shows a mix of stable, established companies and newer initiatives, including Vinger Landhandel (founded 2023) and Bunadsriket (founded 2024). Although there has been a decline in the number of employees (from 105 in 2016 to 68 in 2026), some companies such as Match and Dressmann show progress in EBITDA margins and sales growth.

Economic Trends

• Sales: The industry reached a peak of NOK 99 million in 2016, but a sharp decline in 2025 (NOK 38.2 million). This is a special deviation from the trend, which may be due to the performance of individual companies (e.g., Vinger Landhandel with zero sales).
• Employees: The number of employees has decreased by 35% from 2016 to 2026, with a sharp decline of 56.8% between 2024 and 2025.
• EBITDA margin: Average of 6%, with variations from 21% (Match) to -10% (Nuevo).
• Gross margin: Up to 7153% (an anomalous data value) for some companies, but typically over 1000% for the most well-known names.

Key Companies

Organizational Forms

• AS is the dominant form (10 companies), with an average income per employee of NOK 1.3 million.

Geographic Distribution

All 16 companies in the industry are registered in Kongsvinger, with a focus on central addresses such as Brugata 15 and Rådhusgata 1. There are 10 companies and 73 employees in the municipality, with an average income per employee of NOK 1.3 million. The most active address is Brugata 15, where H&M, Match, and Zavanna operate.

Operational Dynamics and Risk

• Bankruptcies: No companies in the industry are bankrupt, but several have negative EBITDA (e.g., Nuevo and Zavanna).
• Sales fluctuations: Large variations in sales growth, with a sharp decline of 56.8% between 2024 and 2025.
• Employees: A decline of 35% over 10 years, with a sharp drop of 2.9% between 2024 and 2025.
• New companies: 6 companies founded after 2020, but with low or zero activity.

Outlook for Entrepreneurs

The clothing store industry in Kongsvinger shows both opportunities and challenges:

• Opportunities: A high concentration of well-known names (H&M, Lindex) provides an established customer base. New companies such as Bunadsriket and Vinger Landhandel show interest in local market share.
• Challenges: A significant decline in sales and employees in 2025, as well as competition from large chains. The high EBITDA margin (21%) for Match shows that efficient operations can be beneficial.
• Recommendation: Entrepreneurs should focus on differentiation, local culture, and collaboration with existing companies to create unique value.

Comparison with Broader Sector

• Creative, Arts, and Entertainment Activities: Has 28 companies (versus 20 in the clothing store industry) and higher sales (NOK 116.8M in 2016 vs. NOK 99M for clothing stores).
• Peer companies: Examples include Tante Marie (national clothing store) and Euro Sko Kongssenteret (shoe store), which show variation within the industry.
• Trend: Both sectors show a decline in 2025, but the creative sector has higher stability in employees (94 in 2026 vs. 68 for clothing stores).

The clothing store industry in Kongsvinger shows a mix of stable, established companies and challenges such as declining sales and employees. With a concentration of well-known names and potential opportunities in local culture, the industry can offer both challenges and opportunities for entrepreneurs. SmartGrunder can help analyze addresses and develop strategies to create value in this sector.