Industry · municipality
The Clothing Retail Industry in Kristiansand: Current Status and Outlook
Analysis of the industry's economic development, company structure, and future opportunities in Kristiansand
Executive Summary
The clothing retail industry in Kristiansand is an important part of the local business structure, with 208 registered companies in the municipality. The industry has shown both strength and instability over time, with a significant decline in sales revenue of 83.8% from 2025 to 2026. At the same time, the number of employees has increased by 1.6% in the same period, indicating a certain level of resilience. A single bankruptcy case (Møe Items As) has been registered, highlighting potential risk factors for new entrants.
Economic Overview
Sales Development
From 2016 to 2026, sales revenue for clothing stores in Kristiansand has shown a complex development:
| Year | Sales Revenue (NOK) | Year-over-Year Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 1 033.4M | - |
| 2024 | 1 011.9M | +8.3 % |
| 2025 | 716.8M | -29.2 % |
| 2026 | 116.2M | -83.8 % |
Workforce Development
The number of employees has shown a more stable development, increasing from 761 in 2021 to 928 in 2026 (+1.6% annually). This suggests that companies in the industry have prioritized retaining employees even during periods of lower sales.
Economic Indicators
- EBITDA margin: 8% (2024) → 6% (2026)
- Gross margin: 1924% (2024) → 6246% (2025)
- Total debt: 447.5M NOK (2024) → 100.0M NOK (2026)
Companies in the Industry
Major Players in the Industry
The most well-known companies in Kristiansand include:
| Company | Number of Employees | Sales Revenue (NOK) | EBITDA (NOK) |
|---|---|---|---|
| H&M Hennes & Mauritz As | 57 | 90.7M | 4.1M |
| Inditex Norge As | 38 | 105.3M | 21.1M |
| Stormberg As | 25 | 432.3M | 33.3M |
Organizational Forms
- AS companies: 89 companies (946 employees)
- AS companies: 89 companies (946 employees)
- AS companies: 89 companies (946 employees)
Geographic Distribution
Distribution of Activity
| Location | Number of Companies | Number of Employees | Sales Revenue (NOK) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kristiansand | 81 | 849 | 1 431.3M |
| Søgne | 8 | 97 | 22.1M |
Kristiansand dominates with 81 companies (849 employees) and 1 431.3M NOK in sales revenue, while Søgne has a smaller but more concentrated activity with 8 companies and 97 employees.
Industry Dynamics
Bankruptcy Statistics
- Total number of bankruptcies: 1
- Møe Items As: 0 employees, 16.0K NOK in sales revenue, 1.0K NOK in EBITDA
Economic Challenges
- Debt ratio: 100.0M NOK (2026) for the bankrupt company
- Equity: -96.0K NOK (2026) for the bankrupt company
Industry Economic Indicators
- Average EBITDA margin: 8% (2024) → 6% (2026)
- Average sales growth: 9% (2024) → -29.2% (2025)
Outlook for Entrepreneurs
Outlook for New Entrants
- Sales growth: Highest growth from 2022-2024 (+8.3% annually), but sharp decline from 2025-2026 (-29.2%)
- Workforce: Stable growth of 1.6% annually
- Bankruptcy risk: One bankruptcy case in 2026, but no other registered bankruptcies
Recommendations for Entrepreneurs
- Focus on digital adaptation and customer personalization to handle market fluctuations
- Develop strength in equity capital to avoid debt pressure
- Exclusively locate in Kristiansand to benefit from a larger market share
Outlook in Relation to the Broader Industry
Comparison with the Broader Industry
- Creative, arts, and entertainment activities: 302 companies (2026), 116.2M NOK in sales revenue
- Clothing retail: 208 companies, 116.2M NOK in sales revenue
Peer Companies in the Broader Industry
| Company | Industry | Sales Revenue (NOK) | EBITDA (NOK) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tønnesen 1937 As | Shoe Store | 33.2M | 2.5M |
| Shoeday Sørlandssenteret | Shoe Store | 15.5M | 1.6M |
| Centrum Sko As | Shoe Store | 14.8M | 1.5M |
Development Trends
- Broader industry: Larger number of companies, but lower sales growth (-87.5% from 2025-2026)
- Clothing retail: Fewer companies, but more stable sales growth (+8.3% from 2022-2024)
Other companies in kreative, kunst og underholdningsaktiviteter (not in clothing store)
| Company | Industry | Address | Sales | Employees | EBITDA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tønnesen 1937 As Avd Kristiansand | footwear store | Torvkvartalet|Markens gate 16, 4611 Kristiansand | NOK 33.2M | 17 | NOK 2.5M |
| Shoeday Sørlandssenteret | footwear store | Barstølveien 2-35, 4636 Kristiansand | NOK 15.5M | 5 | NOK 1.6M |
| Centrum Sko As | footwear store | Skippergata 18, 4611 Kristiansand | NOK 14.8M | 8 | NOK 1.5M |
| Magnussen Spesialsko Skibåsen Kristiansand | footwear store | Skibåsen 42B, 4636 Kristiansand | NOK 9.3M | 4 | NOK 951.1K |
| Tønnesen 1937 As Avd Sørlandssenteret | footwear store | Barstølveien 35, 4636 Kristiansand | NOK 10.3M | 11 | NOK 787.5K |
| Søgne Brukt Og Antikk As | second-hand goods store | Rigetjønnveien 12, 4626 Kristiansand | NOK 6.0M | 5 | NOK 654.0K |
| Skechers Retail Kristiansand | footwear store | Markens gate 35, 4612 Kristiansand | NOK 8.0M | 5 | NOK 627.7K |
| Kremmerloftet As | knit store | Svaleveien 21A, 4626 Kristiansand | NOK 10.1M | 11 | NOK 508.0K |
| Frew Holding As | knit store | Dvergsnesåsen 105, 4639 Kristiansand | NOK 575.0K | 0 | NOK 445.0K |
| Zizzi Norway As Avd Zizzi Kristiansand | clothing store | Barstølveien 31, 4636 Kristiansand | NOK 6.1M | 7 | NOK 333.4K |
| Karmin Garn & Gaver As | knit store | Gyldenløves gate 17, 4611 Kristiansand | NOK 5.7M | 7 | NOK 278.0K |
| Magnussen Spesialsko Kongsgård Alle Kristiansand | footwear store | Kongsgård alle 53, 4632 Kristiansand | NOK 2.1M | 1 | NOK 211.3K |
| Snos Sørlandssenteret As | footwear store | Barstølveien 35, 4636 Kristiansand | NOK 3.8M | 6 | NOK 200.0K |
| Princess Avd 101 Sørlandssenteret | knit store | Barstølveien 35, 4636 Kristiansand | NOK 7.4M | 10 | NOK 171.3K |
| Eriks Eiendom As | second-hand goods store | Festningsgata 30C, 4614 Kristiansand | NOK 166.0K | 0 | NOK 166.0K |
| Skotique As | footwear store | Skippergata 20, 4611 Kristiansand | NOK 2.5M | 3 | NOK 160.0K |
| Strikkeliv As | knit store | Barstølveien 35, 4636 Kristiansand | NOK 4.5M | 6 | NOK 149.0K |
| Skobutikken Hæla I Taket As | footwear store | Torvgada 2, 4640 Søgne | NOK 3.8M | 9 | NOK 90.0K |
| Din Sko Avd 1111 Sørlandssenteret | footwear store | Barstølveien 34-35, 4636 Kristiansand | NOK 92.9M | 6 | NOK 72.4K |
| Gekkis Tegneseriesjappe As | second-hand goods store | St. Olavs vei 30, 4631 Kristiansand | NOK 233.0K | 0 | NOK 60.0K |
| Skolinio As | footwear store | Sagmyra 21, 4624 Kristiansand | NOK 404.0K | 0 | NOK 26.0K |
| Antikvariat Sør As | second-hand goods store | Odderøyveien 42, 4610 Kristiansand | NOK 335.0K | 0 | NOK 10.0K |
| Alltid Billigst Østrem | second-hand goods store | Rosselandsvegen 6, 4647 Brennåsen | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Aluna Knitwear Nepstad | knit store | Vestre Strandgate 22A, 4611 Kristiansand | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Amiral Anas Ghanayem | knit store | Møllevannsveien 61, 4617 Kristiansand | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Anas Service Anas Khuzaima Oyoun Issoud | second-hand goods store | Vollebakken 11, 4633 Kristiansand | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Atlanter Bakken | knit store | Sødal terrasse 5, 4630 Kristiansand | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Audun Frøysaa | knit store | Tutlamoen 17, 4619 Mosby | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Awmn As | knit store | Vige havnevei 6, 4633 Kristiansand | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Babybanden As | knit store | Birkedalsveien 34, 4640 Søgne | NOK 0 | 24 | NOK 0 |
| Blå Kors Gjenbruk As | second-hand goods store | Gyldenløves gate 60, 4614 Kristiansand | NOK 0 | 24 | NOK 0 |
| Bruktbutikken Hjelperen | second-hand goods store | Elvebakken 2, 4640 Søgne | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Circle Vintage Longva Nilsen | second-hand goods store | c/o Solveig Nilsen|Dovreveien 8, 4615 Kristiansand | NOK 0 | 1 | NOK 0 |
| Dahl Hansen | second-hand goods store | Dreggveien 38, 4639 Kristiansand | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Dahl Hansen | second-hand goods store | Dreggveien 38, 4639 Kristiansand | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Designauksjonen As | second-hand goods store | Barstølveien 11, 4636 Kristiansand | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Dmh Haugen | knit store | Plommeveien 42, 4635 Kristiansand | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Dvergsnes Bruktbutikk Hånes | second-hand goods store | Hånesveien 61, 4635 Kristiansand | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Ecco Shop Sørlandssenteret | footwear store | Barstølveien 31, 4636 Kristiansand | NOK 0 | 2 | NOK 0 |
| Embla Bunader Sørlandet As | national clothing store | Barstølveien 35, 4636 Kristiansand | NOK 0 | 12 | NOK 0 |
Conclusion
The clothing retail industry in Kristiansand shows both potential and challenges. With 208 companies and 928 employees in 2026, the industry is an important part of the local business structure. Although there has been a sharp decline in sales revenue from 2025-2026, the number of employees has shown stable growth. Entrepreneurs should consider focusing on digital adaptation, equity capital strength, and locating in Kristiansand to maximize the probability of success. At the same time, they should be aware of the industry's vulnerability to market fluctuations.