Optical Store in Lillesand: Industry Analysis and Development Trends

Optical store in Lillesand is a small but stable industry dominated by a single company. The only registered company, Lillesand Optikk As, has shown gradual growth in sales and operating profit over the past few years, even though the number of employees has been variable. The industry has a high EBITDA margin of 17%, indicating good cost control and profitability. With a single actor in the industry, there are potential opportunities for development, but also a certain degree of dependence on the progress of a single company.

Sales and Employees

• Sales: From NOK 4.9 million in 2016 to NOK 7.3 million in 2025, a 50% increase over 9 years.
• Employees: Fluctuation between 7 and 12 employees, with 7 employees in 2026.

Economic Indicators

• EBITDA margin: 17% (2025), higher than the average for many industry companies.
• Operating profit: NOK 1.2 million in 2025, with an operating margin of 16%.
• Wage costs: NOK 2.8 million in 2025, accounting for 38% of sales.

Economic Development

• Sales have grown by 2% in 2025, while the number of employees has decreased by 22% compared to 2024.

Registered Companies

• Lillesand Optikk As: Single company in the industry, registered at Strandgaten 4 in Lillesand.
• Organizational form: AS (limited liability company), established January 1, 2009.
• Financing: Total equity of NOK 1.4 million and debt of NOK 2.5 million in 2025.

Other Observations

• There are no other registered companies in the optical industry in Lillesand.
• Nothing indicates bankruptcy or financial problems with the single company.

Distribution of Activity

• Lillesand: Only built or place in the municipality with optical activity.
• Number of companies: 1 (Lillesand Optikk As).
• Employees: 8 employees in 2025.
• Sales: NOK 7.3 million in 2025.

Geographic Focus

• All optical activities in the municipality are concentrated in Lillesand, without development to other villages or areas.

Bankruptcies and Operational Dynamics

• Bankruptcies: No registered bankruptcies in the optical industry in Lillesand in recent years.
• Operational fluctuations: The number of employees has varied between 7 and 12, with a decrease of 22% from 2024 to 2025.
• Sales development: Stable growth rate of 2% in 2025, with an increase of 7.2% from 2024 to 2025.

Operating Profit

• EBITDA has increased by 2.0% in 2025, and stands at NOK 1.3 million.

Development Trends for Entrepreneurs

• Stable market: Single company in the industry, but with good economic development and high EBITDA margin.
• Low bankruptcy risk: No bankruptcies registered, indicating good operational economics.
• Potential opportunities: Greater sales potential in an industry with a single actor, but with a need to secure market share.
• Cost control: High EBITDA margin (17%) shows good cost management.

Recommendation

• Entrepreneurs should consider establishing themselves in Lillesand, but must be aware that the industry is dominated by a single company. It can provide opportunities for cooperation or expansion, but also challenges regarding bankruptcy risk and market share.

• Number of companies: Agriculture has 6 companies, while the optical industry has 1 company.
• Sales: Agriculture had NOK 51.7 million in 2025, while the optical industry had NOK 7.3 million.
• Employees: Agriculture had 15 employees in 2025, while the optical industry had 7 employees.

Peer companies in agriculture

• Kjøkken Centeret Lillesand As: Sales of NOK 44.5 million, 10 employees, EBITDA of NOK 1.8 million.
• Andreas Müller: No sales or employees.
• Creds As: No sales or employees.
• Reflex Sound System As: Low sales (NOK 14,000) and negative EBITDA (NOK -92,000).

Conclusion

• Agriculture has a larger number of companies and higher sales, but the optical industry has a higher EBITDA margin and better operating profit per employee.

The optical industry in Lillesand shows potential opportunities for entrepreneurs with a stable, profitable company and good economic development. With a single actor in the industry, it can provide opportunities for expansion or cooperation, but also challenges regarding bankruptcy risk and market share. Compared to agriculture, the optical industry has a higher EBITDA margin and better operating profit per employee, but fewer companies. SmartGrunder can help entrepreneurs find suitable addresses and locations in Lillesand for an optical store.