The Clothing Retail Industry in Trondheim: A Detailed Analysis

Overview of the Clothing Retail Industry in Trondheim

The clothing retail industry in Trondheim is an important part of the local business structure, with 284 registered companies in the municipality. In recent years, the industry has shown both strength and challenges, with a significant sales decline of 54.8% in 2025 compared to 2024. This is a critical development that should be considered by entrepreneurs and local decision-makers. At the same time, the industry has shown a gradual increase in the number of employees, with 1,464 employees in 2026, indicating some degree of stabilization after a period of decline.

A single clothing store in Heimdal has been registered as bankrupt, showing that the industry is not immune to economic challenges. Nevertheless, there are several major players such as H&M, Retro As, and Get Inspired As that have demonstrated robustness in their operations, with high sales figures and positive EBITDA.

This analysis provides a detailed overview of the industry, including economic trends, company structure, geographic distribution, and future perspectives.

The clothing retail industry in Trondheim has shown a complex economic development in recent years. Sales figures have increased from 2016 to 2024, reaching a peak value of NOK 2,452.2 million in 2024. Then there was a sharp decline of 54.8% in 2025, which may be due to various factors such as market changes or economic pressure. This is a significant decline that should be carefully considered.

The number of employees has shown a more stable development, increasing from 1,365 in 2021 to 1,464 in 2026. This shows that the industry has managed to adapt to the conditions, even though there have been periods of decline.

The EBITDA margins for the industry are at 7%, indicating a moderate profit margin. This is an important indicator for company economics and can influence investments and development in the future.

In Trondheim, there are 284 companies registered in the clothing retail industry, but only 16 of these are detailed in the data. The most well-known companies include H&M, Retro As, and Get Inspired As, all of which have shown good economic performance. These companies have high sales figures and positive EBITDA, demonstrating their market strength.

Most companies are organized as AS, which is the most common organizational form in the industry. There is also a single bankruptcy registered, showing that the industry is not without challenges. This can be an important factor for entrepreneurs considering starting a company in Trondheim.

The clothing retail industry in Trondheim is distributed across several districts and areas. Trondheim has the highest number of companies with 107, while Tiller has 20 and Heimdal has 1. Sales figures also vary between these areas, with Trondheim being the most productive area with NOK 2,168.7 million in sales. Tiller has a lower sales sum, but with a higher EBITDA margin of 7%.

Heimdal has a single company, but with a negative EBITDA of -1%, showing that this area has greater challenges. Ranheim also has a company, but with a lower sales sum compared to the other areas. This shows that Trondheim is the most central area for the clothing retail industry, with higher sales and more companies.

The industry has shown some dynamics in its operations, with both economic upturns and downturns. A single bankruptcy has been registered in Heimdal, showing that the industry is not without challenges. This company had a negative EBITDA of -95.0K and a low sales sum of NOK 6.8 million. This can be an important warning for entrepreneurs considering starting a company in this area.

At the same time, most companies have shown positive development, with high sales figures and good EBITDA. This shows that the industry has some degree of stabilization, even though there have been periods of decline. It is important to consider these factors when considering starting a company in Trondheim.

For entrepreneurs considering starting a clothing store in Trondheim, it is important to take into account the development of the last year. The sharp decline in sales of 54.8% in 2025 may be an indicator of market changes or economic pressure. This can affect competition and operational economics for new companies.

At the same time, the industry has shown some degree of stabilization, with an increase in the number of employees and a positive EBITDA for most companies. This shows that there are still opportunities to start a company in Trondheim, although it is important to be aware of the developments of the last year.

SmartGrunder can help entrepreneurs find suitable addresses in Trondheim for the clothing retail industry, with a focus on areas with high competition and good operational economics.

The overarching industry of creative, art, and entertainment activities has a larger number of companies (393) compared to the clothing retail industry (284). This shows that the clothing retail industry is part of a larger industry, which has shown a more stable development. Sales figures for the overarching industry have shown growth from 2016 to 2024, with a peak value of NOK 2,799.8 million in 2024. Then there was a sharp decline of 51.5% in 2025, which may affect the clothing retail industry.

The main competitors in the overarching industry include companies such as Retro As, H&M, and Falkanger Sko As, which have shown good economic performance. This shows that there is a competitive market environment for the clothing retail industry. Entrepreneurs should consider these factors when considering starting a company in Trondheim.

The clothing retail industry in Trondheim has shown both strength and challenges in recent years. With 284 companies and some degree of stabilization in the number of employees, the industry is an important part of the local business structure. At the same time, there has been a sharp decline in sales of 54.8% in 2025, which should be carefully considered by entrepreneurs and local decision-makers.

It is important to take into account the developments of the last year, as well as the economic and geographic factors that affect the industry. SmartGrunder can help entrepreneurs find suitable addresses in Trondheim for the clothing retail industry, with a focus on areas with high competition and good operational economics.