Industry · municipality
The Clothing Retail Industry in Orkland: Companies, Statistics, and Outlook
A detailed analysis of clothing retail activity in Orkland municipality based on company data and economic trends from 2016 to 2025.
Brief Overview of the Clothing Retail Industry in Orkland
Industry Overview
The clothing retail industry in Orkland municipality has a complex history marked by both growth and decline over the years. Sales reached a peak of NOK 127.2 million in 2023, but dropped sharply to NOK 77.7 million in 2025. Employment has been more stable, peaking at 120 employees in 2023 before declining to 101 employees in 2026. Orkanger is the main hub for the industry, with 14 companies and 101 employees. There is also a mix of established companies and newer businesses, with companies such as H&M and Kappahl dominating the market.
Economic Trends and Key Figures
Economic Overview
Sales and Employees Over Time
| Year | Sales (NOK) | Change from Previous Year | Employees | Change from Previous Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 151.2M | - | 196 | - |
| 2017 | 112.0M | -25.9% | 146 | -25.5% |
| 2018 | 104.5M | -6.7% | 127 | -13.0% |
| 2019 | 103.2M | -1.2% | 118 | -7.1% |
| 2020 | 98.2M | -4.8% | 107 | -9.3% |
| 2021 | 103.8M | +5.6% | 107 | +0.0% |
| 2022 | 108.5M | +4.5% | 114 | +6.5% |
| 2023 | 127.2M | +17.3% | 120 | +5.3% |
| 2024 | 118.1M | -7.2% | 105 | -12.5% |
| 2025 | 77.7M | -34.2% | 101 | -3.8% |
Key Figures for 2025
- Sales: NOK 77.7 million
- Employees: 101
- EBITDA margin: 6% (for the entire industry)
- Average EBITDA per employee: NOK 84.3K
- Average sales per employee: NOK 767.0K
Registered Companies and Organizational Forms
Companies in the Industry
Orkland has 16 registered companies in the clothing retail industry, with a total of 18 companies in the municipality. The most notable companies include:
- H&M Hennes & Mauritz As Avd 875 Orkanger (16 employees, NOK 23.9M in sales)
- Kappahl As Avd 368 Orkanger (14 employees, NOK 20.1M in sales)
- Match Orkanger Avd 315 (8 employees, NOK 8.9M in sales)
- Dressmann Thon Center Orkanger Avd 186 (7 employees, NOK 11.9M in sales)
Organizational Forms
- 14 companies are AS (limited liability companies)
- 2 companies are ENK (sole proprietorships)
Characteristics
- Most companies have a low number of employees (3–16 people)
- Large variations in EBITDA, with both positive and negative figures
- Some companies have negative EBITDA (e.g., Zavanna and Best Kids)
Distribution of Businesses in the Municipality
Business Geography
Orkanger is the main hub for the clothing retail industry in Orkland, with:
- 14 companies
- 101 employees
- NOK 115.2M in operating income
- NOK 115.1M in sales
- NOK 25.2M in wages
- NOK 5.3M in operating profit
- NOK 7.6M in EBITDA
- NOK 7,303.1M in gross profit
- NOK 19.1M in equity
- NOK 31.7M in debt
Other Areas
- Svorkmo and Løkken also have small businesses, but they are not central to the industry.
Financial Challenges and Stability
Business Dynamics
Bankruptcies and Financial Challenges
- No companies in the industry are bankrupt, but several have negative EBITDA:
- Zavanna: -11% EBITDA margin
- Best Kids: -2% EBITDA margin
- Bik Bok: -5% EBITDA margin
Stability and Variation
- The most stable companies have high EBITDA margins (e.g., Kappahl with 11%)
- Some companies have a very low number of employees (e.g., Be Tex with 3 employees)
- Stormberg and B.young had no operating profit or sales in 2025
Outlook for New Businesses
Outlook for Entrepreneurs
Short-Term Challenges
- Sales and employees have fallen sharply in 2025, which may be due to economic pressure or competitiveness.
- There is high competition among companies, with many well-known names (H&M, Kappahl) in the market.
Long-Term Opportunities
- Orkanger has a well-developed infrastructure with several stores in the same neighborhood.
- It is possible to find a place in the market through differentiation (e.g., focus on sustainability, local design, or specialized customers).
- SmartGrunder can help entrepreneurs find suitable locations in Orkland for clothing retail activities.
Outlook for the Broader Industry
Creative, Arts, and Entertainment Activities
- Has 27 companies in the municipality, compared to 18 in the clothing retail industry.
- Sales and employees have similar trends, but with a smaller decline in 2025 (NOK 92.3M in sales vs. NOK 77.7M for clothing retail).
- Peer companies in the broader industry include:
- Shoeday Amfi Orkanger (shoe store, NOK 4.5M in sales)
- Ametrine As (knitting store, NOK 3.8M in sales)
- Loopsy As (second-hand store, 17 employees)
Conclusion
- The clothing retail industry is part of a larger creative sector, but has specific challenges.
- Entrepreneurs should consider both competitiveness and opportunities for differentiation in a competitive sector.
Other companies in kreative, kunst og underholdningsaktiviteter (not in clothing store)
| Company | Industry | Address | Sales | Employees | EBITDA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shoeday Amfi Orkanger | footwear store | Bårdshaug, 7300 Orkanger | NOK 4.5M | 7 | NOK 251.5K |
| Ametrine As | knit store | Grønørveien 7, 7300 Orkanger | NOK 3.8M | 5 | NOK 78.0K |
| Antikk & Snurrepiperier Borgny Martine Valen Olsen | second-hand goods store | Orkdalsveien 311, 7300 Orkanger | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| B Røthe As Avd Skoringen Orkanger | footwear store | Amfi Orkanger|Orkdalsveien 113, 7300 | NOK 0 | 6 | NOK 0 |
| Eurosko Orkanger | footwear store | OTI SENTERET, 7300 Orkanger | NOK 0 | 6 | NOK 0 |
| Garnbutikken Fortuna As | knit store | Løkkenveien 290, 7332 Løkken Verk | NOK 0 | 2 | NOK 0 |
| H Sport Fannrem As | footwear store | Kjerkvegen 13, 7320 Fannrem | NOK 0 | 4 | NOK 0 |
| Loopsy As | second-hand goods store | Tverradkomsten 60, 7300 Orkanger | NOK 0 | 17 | NOK 0 |
| Olga Lien | knit store | Follovegen 21, 7300 Orkanger | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
Summary and Recommendations
Conclusion
The clothing retail industry in Orkland has both strengths and challenges. With 16 registered companies and an important role in Orkanger, it is a well-established sector. However, it has been affected by economic declines in 2025, which could be a challenge for new businesses. Entrepreneurs should consider finding a place in the market through differentiation, local connections, or specialization. Orkland has a well-developed infrastructure, and SmartGrunder can help find suitable locations for new clothing stores.