The Optical Store Industry in Steinkjer: A Comprehensive Analysis

The optical store industry in Steinkjer is a stable, yet dynamic sector with 6 registered companies and 27 employees in 2026. The industry has experienced both growth and downturns in recent years, with a peak in 2021 and a decline in 2025. The most notable companies are Brilleland Steinkjer, Synsam Steinkjer, and Berre Optik As, which have higher revenues and profit margins compared to competitors. The industry has no bankruptcy registrations, but shows variations in wages and operating results. For entrepreneurs, it is important to assess market stability, competition, and potential growth areas in a municipality with good infrastructure and a population center with 26,000 residents.

The industry has an annual sales growth of +21.1% from 2017 to 2018, but a decline of -16.8% in 2025. Total sales in Steinkjer reached NOK 39.8M in 2021, but fell to NOK 30.5M in 2025. Employees show a similar trend: from 32 employees in 2021 to 23 employees in 2026. The EBITDA margin is 11% in 2023, while the operating margin is 7%. The most profitable companies are Synsam Steinkjer (EBITDA margin 18%) and Berre Optik As (EBITDA margin 8%).

In Steinkjer, there are 6 companies in the optical industry, all with the organizational form AS. The key companies are:

Hima As and Ogndalsvegen 11 Steinkjer As have special characteristics: Hima As has 0 employees and negative EBITDA, while Ogndalsvegen 11 Steinkjer As has 0 sales but a high EBITDA margin of 45%.

All 6 companies in the industry are registered in Steinkjer, with a focus on central addresses such as Sjøfartsgata 2 and Kongens gate 17. The only district with activity is Steinkjer, which has 4 companies, 26 employees, NOK 29.8M sales, and NOK 3.4M EBITDA. There is no activity in other districts in the municipality.

The industry has no bankruptcy registrations, but shows variations in wages and operating results. Hima As has negative EBITDA and 0 sales, while Ogndalsvegen 11 Steinkjer As has 0 sales but a high EBITDA margin of 45%. This shows that some companies operate with specialized models or have economic challenges. There are no bankruptcies, but it is important to monitor the wage development for Hima As and Ogndalsvegen 11 Steinkjer As.

Outlook for Entrepreneurs

The industry has shown stability with 6 companies and 27 employees in 2026, but there is a decline in sales and employees compared to 2021. Entrepreneurs should assess market resilience and potential growth areas in a municipality with good infrastructure and a population center with 26,000 residents. It is possible to develop in a sector with high profit margins (11% EBITDA) and stable operating results. It is also important to assess the competition from Synsam Steinkjer and Berre Optik As, which have higher revenues and profit margins.

Agriculture is a broader sector in Steinkjer with 15 companies and 92 employees in 2026. Sales in agriculture have a greater variation (NOK 193.2M in 2016 to NOK 282.3M in 2024), while the optical industry has a more stable development. Agriculture has lower profit margins (EBITDA margin of 11% for optics vs. 4% for agriculture), but higher number of employees (92 vs. 27). Peer companies in agriculture include Power Norge As Avd Steinkjer (NOK 116.5M sales) and Odd Ingebrigtsen As Avd Steinkjer (NOK 81.8M sales).

The optical store industry in Steinkjer is a stable, yet dynamic sector with 6 companies and 27 employees. The industry has shown growth and decline in recent years, but has no bankruptcy registrations. Entrepreneurs should assess market resilience, competition, and potential growth areas. It is possible to develop in a sector with high profit margins and stable operating results. SmartGrunder can help entrepreneurs find optimal location and strategic partnerships in Steinkjer.