Toy Shops in Kristiansand: Analysis of Companies, Statistics, and Outlook

Industry Overview

The toy shop industry in Kristiansand is a small but active sector with 25 registered companies in the municipality. In 2026, there are 56 employees in total, indicating a slight decline from 2025. Sales have been unstable over the years, with a peak of NOK 25.7 million in 2021, but a decline to NOK 16 million in 2025. The industry has a mix of established companies and new players, with an average annual growth in the number of employees of 6% from 2022 to 2024. This suggests a gradual stabilization after a period of decline in earlier years.

Economic Trends

The toy shop industry in Kristiansand has been marked by significant variations in sales and employment over time. From 2016 to 2026, sales have ranged from NOK 72.7 million to NOK 16 million, with a sharp decline of 23.5% from 2016 to 2017. There was a marked increase in 2021 (65.5%) followed by a decline in 2022. The number of employees has also been unstable, with a decline of 27.1% from 2016 to 2017, but an increase of 12.5% from 2023 to 2024. In 2026, there are 56 employees in total, indicating a slight decline from 2025. The industry has an average gross margin of 52%, but an operating margin of 2%, which suggests that costs are high relative to revenue.

Companies in the Industry

In Kristiansand, there are 25 companies registered in the toy shop industry, with a mix of AS and DA entities. The most well-known companies include:

• Lekehuset Kristiansand As (Barstølveien 31): 13 employees, NOK 9.1 million in sales, 3% EBITDA margin.
• Lola Montez As (Tjuvhelleren 19): 12 employees, NOK 3.1 million in sales, 17% EBITDA margin.
• Lekeplaneten Kristiansand As (Markens gate 25B): 6 employees, NOK 6.8 million in sales, 6% EBITDA margin.

There are also several new companies established in recent years, such as Kids Outlet Sørlandssenteret 13 (2025) and Lekehuset Vågsbygd As (2025). Some of the companies have negative EBITDA values, such as Inveko As (NOK -778,000) and Harald Skeie Holding As (NOK -202,000), which indicates that some companies are facing economic challenges.

Business Geography

The toy shop industry in Kristiansand is most active in the city center and areas with high population density. The most active areas include:

• Kristiansand: 7 companies, 61 employees, NOK 19.2 million in sales.
• Tveit: 1 company (Express Kjøp Da) with no employees.
• Finsland: 1 company (Gg Entertaiment As) with no employees.
• Søgne: 1 company (Kids Outlet Søgne) with no employees.

There is a clear concentration of companies in the Kristiansand city center, which suggests that it is an important market for toy shops in the municipality.

Business Dynamism

The toy shop industry in Kristiansand has been marked by variations in both sales and employment over time. There are no registered bankruptcy cases in the industry, which suggests that the companies have managed to handle economic challenges. However, there are several companies with negative EBITDA values, such as Inveko As and Harald Skeie Holding As, which may be a signal of economic problems. There are also several companies that have been established in recent years, which suggests that there is a certain level of interest in starting up in the industry.

Outlook for Entrepreneurs

For entrepreneurs considering establishing themselves in the toy shop industry in Kristiansand, it is important to be aware of the unstable economic trends that have been present. Although there is a certain level of competitiveness, there are also several companies facing economic challenges. It may be advantageous to establish oneself in areas with high population density, such as the Kristiansand city center, where there is a concentration of companies. Entrepreneurs should also be aware of the high costs relative to revenue, which can affect profit margins.

In comparison to the toy shop industry, the public administration and defense sector in Kristiansand has a more stable economic development. Sales have ranged from NOK 136.5 million in 2016 to NOK 108.2 million in 2025, with a slight increase over time. The number of employees has also been more stable, with a decline of 22.8% from 2016 to 2017, but an increase of 6.4% from 2023 to 2024. The sector also has more companies (30) than the toy shop industry (25), which suggests that there is a greater level of activity in this sector. Examples of companies in the sector include Gamezone As (NOK 62.3 million in sales) and Selfmade Norge As Avd Kristiansand (NOK 18.2 million in sales).

The toy shop industry in Kristiansand is a small but active sector with both established companies and new players. Although there is a certain level of economic instability, there are also opportunities to establish oneself in areas with high population density. Entrepreneurs should be aware of the high costs relative to revenue and the competition from both established and new companies. At the same time, there is a certain level of stability in the sector, which can be an advantage for new companies wishing to establish themselves in the municipality.