The Optical Shop Industry in Ringerike: A Detailed Analysis of Companies, Statistics, and Outlooks

The optical shop industry in Ringerike is a small but dynamic sector with 6 registered companies in the municipality. In recent years, the industry has shown both strength and uncertainty, with a significant increase in sales and employees up to 2023, followed by a dramatic decline in 2026. EBITDA margins range widely, from 0% to 18%, indicating variations in operating results between companies. Hønefoss is the only area in the municipality with activity in this industry, with 4 companies and 38 employees. The industry has a high average gross margin (1060%) and operating margin (5%), suggesting good cost control. There are no bankrupt companies in the industry, but variations in operating results and sales patterns indicate a need for attention to operational strategy.

Sales and employee development:

• Sales: The industry had a stable increase in sales from 2016 to 2023, with a peak of NOK 56.1 million in 2024. This was followed by a sharp decline to NOK 17.2 million in 2026. The most significant increase was from 2022 to 2023 (+74.8%).
• Employees: The number of employees grew from 25 in 2016 to 41 in 2025, before declining to 40 in 2026. The most significant increase was from 2024 to 2025 (+20.6%).

Financial indicators:

• The average EBITDA margin for the industry is 7% (2023), but variations between companies are large. Examples:
• Brilleland Avd 525 Kuben Senter: 6% EBITDA margin (2024)
• Synsam Hønefoss: 18% EBITDA margin (2025)
• Banda Ringerike As: 0% EBITDA margin (2023)

• The average gross margin is extremely high (1060%), indicating that companies have good control over costs relative to sales.

Registered companies in Ringerike:

1. Hønefoss Specsavers As (Kong Rings gate 1, Hønefoss)

• Organisatorform: AS
• Employees: 15
• EBITDA: NOK 1.8 million (2024)
• Sales: NOK 17.3 million (2024)

1. Anders Løchen Fogth As (Søndre torv 7, Hønefoss)

• Organisatorform: AS
• Employees: 9
• EBITDA: NOK 1.7 million (2024)
• Sales: NOK 16.2 million (2024)

1. Banda Ringerike As (Flattums gate 4, Hønefoss)

• Organisatorform: AS
• Employees: 8
• EBITDA: NOK 123,000 (2023)
• Sales: NOK 13.9 million (2023)

1. Brilleland Avd 525 Kuben Senter (Kong Rings gate 1, Hønefoss)

• Organisatorform: AS
• Employees: 6
• EBITDA: NOK 466,100 (2024)
• Sales: NOK 6.4 million (2024)

1. Nifo As (Ullerålsgata 9B, Hønefoss)

• Organisatorform: AS
• Employees: 0
• EBITDA: NOK 308,000 (2024)
• Sales: NOK 0 (2024)

1. Synsam Hønefoss (Storgata 10, Hønefoss)

• Organisatorform: AS
• Employees: 0
• EBITDA: NOK 1.4 million (2025)
• Sales: NOK 7.4 million (2025)

Organisatorform: All companies in the industry are registered as AS (Anonymous Companies). There are no companies in the form of sole proprietorships or stock companies.

Hønefoss is the only area in Ringerike with activity in the optical shop industry. Here you find:

• 4 companies
• 38 employees
• Operating income: NOK 54.4 million (2023)
• Sales: NOK 53.9 million (2023)
• Wages: NOK 17.3 million (2023)
• Operating profit: NOK 3.2 million (2023)
• EBITDA: NOK 4.1 million (2023)
• Gross profit: NOK 571.3 million (2023)
• Equity: NOK 4.1 million (2023)
• Debt: NOK 18.5 million (2023)
• Sales growth: 4% (2023)
• EBITDA margin: 7% (2023)
• EBITDA per employee: NOK 109,500 (2023)
• Gross margin: 1060% (2023)
• Operating margin: 5% (2023)

No other cities or areas in Ringerike have registered companies in this industry.

Bankruptcy statistics: None of the 6 companies in the industry are registered as bankruptcy meetings in the municipality. Nevertheless, financial data show variations in operating results and sales patterns:

• Nifo As has an extremely high EBITDA margin (60%) in 2024, but no employees and zero sales. This may indicate that the company operates without activity or has specific operational strategies.
• Banda Ringerike As had a negative EBITDA (0%) in 2023, but a positive operating profit (NOK 37,000). This may be due to high operating costs relative to sales.
• Synsam Hønefoss had a high EBITDA margin (18%) in 2025, even with 0 employees, which may indicate that the company has a specialized operational model.

Operational growth: Sales had a growth of +74.8% from 2022 to 2023, but a sharp decline of -68.7% from 2025 to 2026. This shows a significant uncertainty in the industry, especially in 2026.

Outlook for entrepreneurs

Opportunities and challenges:

• Strengths: The industry has a high average gross margin (1060%) and operating margin (5%), indicating good cost control. Hønefoss is the only area in the municipality with activity, which can provide a competitive position.
• Challenges: Sales had a dramatic decline of -68.7% from 2025 to 2026, which may indicate market changes or operational challenges. The variation in EBITDA margins (from 0% to 18%) shows a need for attention to operational strategy.

Recommendations:

• Entrepreneurs should consider establishing themselves in Hønefoss, where there is an existing cluster of optical shops.
• It is important to carefully analyze operating results and sales patterns, especially after 2026.
• Companies with high EBITDA margins (such as Synsam Hønefoss) can provide inspiration for effective operational models.

SmartGrunder can help entrepreneurs find suitable addresses in Ringerike for this industry, with a focus on development opportunities and operational strategy.

Contrast between agriculture and the optical shop industry:

• Number of companies: Agriculture has 20 companies in the municipality, while the optical shop industry has 6 companies. This shows that agriculture is a larger sector in Ringerike.
• Sales: Agriculture had higher sales in 2023 (NOK 326.5 million) compared to the optical shop industry (NOK 51.9 million). Nevertheless, the optical shop industry had a higher average EBITDA margin (7%) compared to agriculture (not provided in data).
• Employees: Agriculture had 128 employees in 2023, while the optical shop industry had 37 employees. This shows that agriculture is a more labor-intensive sector.

Peer companies in agriculture:

Conclusion: Agriculture is a larger and more labor-intensive sector in Ringerike compared to the optical shop industry. Nevertheless, the optical shop industry has a higher average EBITDA margin, which can provide an advantage in operating results.

The optical shop industry in Ringerike has both opportunities and challenges. With a high average gross margin and operating margin, as well as an existing cluster in Hønefoss, the industry can be an attractive sector for entrepreneurs. Nevertheless, sales data from 2026 show a sharp decline, which requires attention to operational strategy. Compared to agriculture, which is a larger sector in the municipality, the optical shop industry has a higher average EBITDA margin, which can provide an advantage in operating results. Entrepreneurs should consider establishing themselves in Hønefoss and carefully analyze operating results and sales patterns. SmartGrunder can help find suitable addresses in Ringerike for this industry, with a focus on development opportunities and operational strategy.