Cosmetics Retail in Molde: Industry Analysis and Development Trends

The cosmetics retail industry in Molde shows a mix of stability and dynamism. With 10 registered companies in the municipality, including well-known names such as Rituals Cosmetics and Hudstudio, as well as several new players such as Ahmetaj Ecommerce and Kicks Norge, the data indicates a growing, but varied sector. Although the number of employees has shown variations over the years, sales have grown by 4.9% from 2024 to 2025, suggesting a gradual ramp-up of the market. This analysis highlights both economic trends, company profiles, geographic distribution, and future opportunities for entrepreneurs in the sector.

Economic Trends

Sales growth for cosmetics retail in Molde has been consistent over the past few years, with a total growth of 4.9% from 2024 to 2025. Particularly notable growth periods include 2020–2021 (+46.7%) and 2022–2023 (+37.6%). This suggests a gradual ramp-up of the market, despite minor declines in certain years (e.g., 2018–2019). The number of employees has been more variable, with a decline of 37% from 2024 to 2025, but an increase of 25% from 2022 to 2023. This may be due to both company dynamics and changes in operational strategy.

Key Indicators

• Sales (2025): NOK 16.6 million
• Number of Employees (2025): 19
• Year-over-Year Sales Growth (2024–2025): +4.9%
• Year-over-Year Employee Growth (2024–2025): -37%

Registered Companies

In Molde, there are 10 registered companies in the cosmetics retail sector, with a mix of AS and ENK entities. The most notable companies include:

Organizational Forms

Most companies are AS entities (3 companies), with a combination of older companies (e.g., Hudstudio, founded in 2009) and new players (e.g., Kurr As, founded in 2025). There are also ENKs such as Ahmetaj Ecommerce and Pinaé Beauty By Jennychel Pastrana, representing more individual business operations.

Geographic Distribution

Activity in the cosmetics retail sector is primarily concentrated in Molde, with 3 companies and 20 employees in the municipality. There is no detailed data on sub-area distribution, but the registered companies are spread across different addresses in Molde, including Torget, Storgata, and Lingedalsvegen. This suggests a broad presence in central areas, which can be beneficial for business operations and customer reviews.

Operational Dynamics and Bankruptcy Statistics

Within the cosmetics retail sector in Molde, there are no registered bankruptcies, indicating a relatively stable sector. However, data shows that some companies have low activity, such as Ahmetaj Ecommerce and Forever By Helgheim, which have 0 employees and 0 sales. This may indicate newly established companies or companies in a transitional phase. There are also companies such as Kicks Norge As Avd 751 Moldetorget, which have 0 sales and 0 operational income, which may indicate previous operations or a transitional phase.

Future Opportunities

For entrepreneurs in the cosmetics retail sector in Molde, data suggests both opportunities and challenges. The positive sales growth over the past few years, especially from 2021 to 2023, shows that the market has growth potential. There is also a certain degree of stabilization in the number of employees, despite a decline in 2025. This may be due to both company dynamics and changes in operational strategy. Entrepreneurs should also be aware of companies with low activity, which may represent opportunities to fill gaps in the market. SmartGrunder can help entrepreneurs explore addresses in Molde that are natural for cosmetics retail operations, based on data and local knowledge.

The cosmetics retail sector in Molde shows a mix of stability and growth, with both established companies and new players. The positive sales growth over the past few years, combined with a relatively stable sector without bankruptcies, suggests that the market has potential for further development. Entrepreneurs should consider opportunities in a sector that shows gradual ramp-up, but also be aware of challenges such as variations in the number of employees and company dynamics. With the right strategy and local understanding, it can be a fertile market for new players.