Industry · municipality
The Clothing Store Industry in Molde: Current Status and Outlook
Analysis of Companies, Economics, and Market Outlook for Clothing Stores in Molde Municipality
Executive Summary
The clothing store industry in Molde has a stable presence with 38 registered companies in the municipality, 21 of which are AS companies. The industry has experienced variations in sales and employees over time, with a significant decline in 2025. Prospects for new actors must be assessed in light of both local data and comparisons with the broader creative and entertainment sector.
Economic Overview
Sales and Employees
- Sales: From NOK 222 million in 2016 to NOK 218 million in 2024, with a sharp decline of -52.1% in 2025.
- Employees: Increasing trend from 2022 to 2026, with 227 employees in 2026 (increase of +2.3% from 2025).
- Yearly variations: Sales had stable growth from 2020 to 2024, but collapsed in 2025. Employees have shown a weak, but gradual increase since 2021.
Companies in the Industry
Key Players in the Industry
- Aandahls Storgata Molde: High company value (NOK 973.2M), 57 employees, and 11% sales growth.
- H&M Hennes & Mauritz: 20 employees, 0% sales growth, but high EBITDA margin of 4%.
- Capone Molde: 18 employees, 10% sales growth, and 6% EBITDA margin.
- Lindex As Avd Molde: 13 employees, 1% sales growth, but low EBITDA margin of 3%.
- Cubus Thon Senter Roseby: No activity (0 in all key figures), but registered company.
- Dressmann Thon Senter Roseby: High EBITDA margin of 16% and 6% sales growth.
- Kappahl As Avd Molde: 10 employees, 11% EBITDA margin, but low sales growth (6%).
- Change Of Scandinavia Roseby: Negative sales growth (-9%) and low EBITDA margin (2%).
Business Geography
Geographic Distribution
- Molde: All 38 companies in the industry are registered in Molde. Activity is concentrated in central areas such as Storgata, Lingedalsvegen, and Torget. This indicates a strong focus on central business areas in the municipality.
Business Dynamics
Dynamics and Risk
- Bankruptcies: No bankruptcies registered in the industry in Molde (all companies are 'not bankrupt').
- Different EBITDA margins: Variation from -11% (Zavanna Molde) to 16% (Dressmann Thon Senter Roseby). This shows significant variation in operating results.
- Negative development: Mia Bao Molde and Zavanna Molde have negative sales growth and low or negative EBITDA.
- Stable companies: Aandahls and Dressmann have high sales and stable or positive growth.
Outlook for Entrepreneurs
Outlook for New Actors
- Sales decline in 2025: The sharp decline of -52.1% in 2025 may indicate market disruptions or competitive pressure. This must be carefully considered by new actors.
- Stable operating margins: Companies with high EBITDA margins (such as Dressmann and Kappahl) show that it is possible to achieve good results in the industry.
- Competitive landscape: Many large chains (H&M, Aandahls, Lindex) dominate, but there is room for specialized or local offerings.
- Customers in Molde: A city focused on tourism and culture can provide opportunities for clothing stores with unique or local products.
Outlook in Broader Sector
Comparison with Broader Sector
- Creative, arts, and entertainment activities: This sector has 52 companies in Molde, compared to 38 in the clothing store industry. This shows that clothing stores are an important part of the broader creative sector.
- Sales: Broader sector had NOK 266.6M in 2016 and NOK 160.8M in 2025 (decline of -38.1%). Clothing stores had NOK 222M in 2016 and NOK 104.5M in 2025 (decline of -52.1%).
- Employees: Broader sector had 407 employees in 2016 and 268 in 2026 (decline of -34%). Clothing stores had 329 employees in 2016 and 227 in 2026 (decline of -31%).
- Peer companies: Examples include shoe stores (Endre Røsok, Snos Molde) and second-hand stores (Fretex Miljø, Miss Gangstads Retro). These can provide insight into the competitive landscape.
Other companies in kreative, kunst og underholdningsaktiviteter (not in clothing store)
| Company | Industry | Address | Sales | Employees | EBITDA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Endre Røsok As Avd Molde Storgata | footwear store | Storgata 21, 6413 Molde | NOK 42.2M | 5 | NOK 5.0M |
| Røsok Holding As | footwear store | Storgata 21, 6413 Molde | NOK 1.7M | 1 | NOK 286.0K |
| B Røthe As Avd Skoringen Molde | footwear store | Storgata 51B, 6413 Molde | NOK 3.6M | 3 | NOK 250.8K |
| Snos Molde As | footwear store | Bagorama Roseby|Lingedalsvegen 6, 6415 Molde | NOK 4.4M | 4 | NOK 239.0K |
| Inspirerende Hobby As | knit store | Storgata 56, 6413 Molde | NOK 4.9M | 9 | NOK 165.0K |
| Bøyum Folkeseth Scandiavintage | second-hand goods store | Sollivegen 41, 6414 Molde | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Endre Røsok As Avd Molde Lingedalsvegen | footwear store | Lingedalsvegen 10, 6415 Molde | NOK 0 | 12 | NOK 0 |
| Fretex Miljø As Avd Butikk Molde | second-hand goods store | Lingedalsvegen 9, 6415 Molde | NOK 0 | 8 | NOK 0 |
| Holen 999 Smykke Og Brand Name | second-hand goods store | c/o Laksanawadee Holen|Jevikråket 10, 6460 Eidsvåg I Romsdal | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Inge Pettersen Antikk | second-hand goods store | Fjellvegen 10, 6423 Molde | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Miss Gangstads Retro | second-hand goods store | Strandgata 23, 6415 Molde | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Miss Gangstads Retro | second-hand goods store | Strandgata 23, 6415 Molde | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Stokke Salg Og Tjenester | second-hand goods store | Nygjerdesvingen 19, 6421 Molde | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Larssen Sko As Avd Mani Molde | footwear store | Lingedalsvegen 6, 6415 Molde | NOK 6.9M | 0 | NOK -163.0K |
Conclusion
The clothing store industry in Molde shows both opportunities and challenges. With 38 companies and a concentration in central areas, there is a clear presence. However, new actors must be aware of the sharp sales decline in 2025 and variations in operating results. Comparisons with the broader creative sector show that clothing stores are an important part of the municipality's cultural and business structure. SmartGrunder can help entrepreneurs find optimal addresses and assess business opportunities in Molde.