Optical Industry in Bergen: Sector Analysis and Outlook

Optical industry in Bergen shows a mix of stability and variation. In 2025, 39 companies operate in the sector, with 238 employees and annual revenues of 226.3 million NOK. The most active companies are located in Bergen, Rådal, and Ulset, with high EBITDA margins (8–18%) and wage costs of 5–15% of income. The sector grew until 2024, but showed a sharp decline in 2025 (24%) and 2026 (90.1%). This may be due to extremely low income in 2026 (22.3 million NOK), which entrepreneurs should carefully consider.

Economic Trends

• Annual Revenue: Grew from 186.2 million NOK in 2016 to 297.7 million NOK in 2024, before a sharp decline to 22.3 million NOK in 2026.
• Employees: Increased from 201 in 2016 to 245 in 2025, but dropped to 236 in 2026.
• EBITDA Margins: Remained between 7–18% in most years, with highest values in Bergen and Laksevåg.
• Critical Point: 2026 shows extremely low income (22.3 million NOK) compared to 297.7 million NOK in 2024. This may be a unique situation or a data error, but should be carefully considered.

Key Players in the Sector

• Synsam Bergen Torgallmenningen (26 employees, 37.4 million NOK operating income, 18% EBITDA margin)
• Lagunen Specsavers As (16 employees, 22.5 million NOK operating income, 10% EBITDA margin)
• Brilleland Avd 485 Lagunen Storsenter (15 employees, 32.0 million NOK operating income, 6% EBITDA margin)
• Fana Optikk As (15 employees, 20.9 million NOK operating income, -1% EBITDA margin – negative margin)
• Bergen Optikk As (7 employees, 3.3 million NOK operating income, 1% EBITDA margin)

Organizational Trends

• AS is the dominant organizational form (27 companies, 242 employees, 7% EBITDA margin).

Distribution of Activity in the Municipality

• Bergen: 14 companies, 115 employees, 151.8 million NOK operating income, 8% EBITDA margin.
• Rådal: 3 companies, 37 employees, 63.0 million NOK operating income, 8% EBITDA margin.
• Ulset: 4 companies, 28 employees, 40.9 million NOK operating income, 7% EBITDA margin.
• Nesttun: 1 company, 15 employees, 20.9 million NOK operating income, -1% EBITDA margin.
• Fyllingsdalen: 1 company, 14 employees, 16.7 million NOK operating income, 2% EBITDA margin.

Conclusion

Bergen is the sector's capital, with higher income and EBITDA margins compared to other districts.

Stability and Risk

• Bankruptcies: None of the 39 companies are registered as bankrupt in the data.
• Negative EBITDA: Fana Optikk As (Nesttun) and Bergen Optikk As had negative EBITDA in 2025 and 2026.
• Stability: Most companies have positive operating results and EBITDA margins of 6–18%.
• Risk: Extremely low income in 2026 (22.3 million NOK) may be a unique situation or a data error, but should be carefully considered.

Outlook for Entrepreneurs

• Growth until 2024: The sector had stable growth in income (12% annually) and employees (3.4% annually) until 2024.
• Sharp decline in 2025–2026: Income dropped by 24% in 2025 and 90.1% in 2026. This may be a unique situation or a data error.
• High EBITDA Margin: Most companies had EBITDA margins of 6–18%, indicating good operational economics.
• Recommendation: Entrepreneurs should consider establishing themselves in districts with higher EBITDA margins (Bergen, Rådal) and avoid areas with negative EBITDA (Nesttun).

• Agriculture in Bergen: 182 companies, 891 employees, 22.3 million NOK income in 2026 (same as the optical industry). However, agriculture had higher income in previous years (2,610.4 million NOK in 2025).
• Peer Companies: Include phone shops (Telia, Telenor), electronics stores (Elkjøp, Power Norge), and computer stores (It Drift Norge). These companies had higher income (42.1–321.9 million NOK) and higher EBITDA margins (3–18%) compared to the optical industry.
• Conclusion: Agriculture is a larger and more stable sector in Bergen, but the optical industry has higher EBITDA margins in most years.

Optical industry in Bergen shows a mix of stability and variation. The sector grew until 2024, but showed a sharp decline in 2025 and 2026. Entrepreneurs should consider establishing themselves in districts with higher EBITDA margins (Bergen, Rådal) and avoid areas with negative EBITDA (Nesttun). Compared to agriculture, the optical industry has higher EBITDA margins, but fewer companies. SmartGrunder can help find suitable addresses in Bergen for the optical industry, focusing on areas with high operational economics.