Industry · municipality
The Optical Retail Industry in Tromsø: Key Figures, Companies, and Outlooks
Analysis of the Optical Retail Industry in Tromsø with a Focus on Economic Trends, Company Profiles, and Geographic Distribution in 2025-2026
Brief Overview of the Optical Retail Industry in Tromsø
The optical retail industry in Tromsø is a stable, but differentiated sector with 16 registered companies and 95 employees in 2026. The industry features a mix of established companies such as Optik Spesialbutikken (founded 2016) and newer players like Jekta Specsavers (founded 2022). The most prominent companies have high revenues (up to NOK 19.3M) and significant labor costs (up to NOK 7.1M). Some companies report negative EBITDA values, indicating variations in financial health. The industry is most concentrated in Tromsø, with a smaller presence in Tromsdalen.
Economic Trends and Key Figures
Economic Trends
- Sales: The industry experienced an annual increase in sales from 2016 to 2024 (NOK 139.0M), but a sharp decline of -10.4% in 2025 (NOK 124.6M).
- Employees: The number of employees has remained stable at around 95 in 2026, with minor variations over the years.
- EBITDA: The average EBITDA margin is 7%, with variations ranging from -7% (Optik Spesialbutikken) to 24% (Synssenteret Jekta As).
Key Economic Figures (2025)
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Sales | NOK 124.6M |
| EBITDA | NOK 8.9M |
| Number of employees | 95 |
| Average EBITDA margin | 7% |
Reasons for the Sales Decline
- Increased bankruptcy risk in some companies (e.g., Optik Jekta As with -1% EBITDA margin)
- Competitive websites and growing e-commerce
- Financial pressure from higher labor costs (average NOK 38.6M in 2025)
Companies and Organizational Structure
Company Profile
- Organizational Form: All 16 companies are AS entities, with 14 companies having more than 10 employees.
- Largest Companies:
- Optik Spesialbutikken As (16 employees, NOK 11.4M in sales)
- Brilleland Avd 474 Tromsø (11 employees, NOK 11.2M in sales)
- Synssenteret Jekta As (9 employees, NOK 14.8M in sales)
- Newer Players: Jekta Specsavers (founded 2022) and Tromsø Optikk (founded 2007) have high sales growth (11% and 12% in 2025).
Financial Health
- Positive: 10 companies have positive EBITDA (minimum NOK 1.4M)
- Negative: 6 companies have negative EBITDA (minimum -896.0K)
- Debt: 5 companies have over NOK 3M in debt (e.g., Optik Spesialbutikken As with NOK 6.1M in debt)
Geographic Distribution and Area-Specific Trends
Geographic Distribution
- Tromsø: 13 companies, 95 employees, NOK 109.6M in sales, 7% EBITDA margin
- Tromsdalen: 1 company, 6 employees, NOK 7.4M in sales, 18% EBITDA margin
Key Figures by Area (2025)
| Area | Sales | EBITDA | Number of employees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tromsø | NOK 109.6M | NOK 8.9M | 95 |
| Tromsdalen | NOK 7.4M | NOK 1.4M | 6 |
Development
- Tromsdalen has a higher EBITDA margin (18%) than Tromsø (7%) in 2025
- Tromsø has 13 times more companies than Tromsdalen
Financial Stability and Dynamics
Bankruptcies and Financial Stability
- No Bankruptcies: None of the 16 companies have registered bankruptcy in 2025.
- Financial Challenges: 6 companies have negative EBITDA (e.g., Optik Jekta As with -1% margin) and 5 companies have over NOK 3M in debt.
Largest Financial Risk Factors
- High Labor Costs: Average wage per employee is NOK 38.6M in 2025
- Competitive Websites: 3 companies sell via websites (e.g., Synssenteret Jekta As)
- E-commerce Trend: 2 companies focus on e-commerce (e.g., Tromsø Optikk)
Outlook for Founders and New Companies
Outlook for Founders
- Stable Markets: 95 employees in 2026 indicate a stable labor market situation
- Competitive Companies: 10 companies have positive EBITDA (minimum NOK 1.4M) and high sales growth (11-12% in 2025)
- New Opportunities: Tromsdalen has a higher EBITDA margin (18%) than Tromsø (7%) in 2025
- Outlook: Growing e-commerce and websites may provide opportunities for new companies, but competition from established players is significant
Recommendations
- Focus on high quality and customer satisfaction
- Develop websites and e-commerce
- Strengthen financial health through efficient cost management
Comparison with Agriculture and Broader Sector
Comparison with Agriculture
- Larger Sector: Agriculture has 58 companies in Tromsø, compared to 16 in the optical retail industry
- Economic Trends:
- Sales: Agriculture had NOK 861.8M in 2025, compared to NOK 124.6M for optical retail
- Employees: Agriculture had 300 employees in 2026, compared to 95 in optical retail
- EBITDA: Agriculture had a lower average EBITDA margin (3.5%) than optical retail (7%)
Peer Companies in Agriculture
| Company | Industry | Sales | EBITDA | Number of employees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elkjøp Tromsø | Electronics Retail | NOK 389.0M | NOK 4.6M | 62 |
| Power Norge As Avd Tromsø | Electronics Retail | NOK 141.5M | NOK 3.4M | 30 |
| Hifi Klubben As Avd Tromsø | Phone Retail | NOK 22.9M | NOK 1.0M | 10 |
Conclusion
- Agriculture is a larger and more diversified sector than optical retail
- Optical retail has a higher EBITDA margin, but lower sales and fewer companies
- Founders should consider both sectors to find opportunities
Other companies in landbruk (not in optical store)
| Company | Industry | Address | Sales | Employees | EBITDA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Telia Norge As Telia Avd Jekta | phone store | Heilovegen 19, 9015 Tromsø | NOK 56.2M | 7 | NOK 22.6M |
| Elkjøp Tromsø | electronics store | Karlsøyvegen 1A, 9015 Tromsø | NOK 389.0M | 62 | NOK 4.6M |
| Power Norge As Avd Tromsø | electronics store | Karlsøyvegen 12, 9015 Tromsø | NOK 141.5M | 30 | NOK 3.4M |
| Elektroimportøren Norge As Avd Tromsø | electric goods store | Alkevegen 9A, 9015 Tromsø | NOK 52.7M | 13 | NOK 1.1M |
| Hifi Klubben As Avd Tromsø | phone store | Jekta Storsenter|Karlsøyvegen 12, 9015 Tromsø | NOK 22.9M | 10 | NOK 1.0M |
| Tnb Jekta As | computer store | Karlsøyvegen 12, 9015 Tromsø | NOK 22.8M | 8 | NOK 846.0K |
| Kjell & Co Norway No018 Jekta Storsenter | electronics store | Jekta Storsenter|Karlsøyvegen 12, 9015 Tromsø | NOK 15.0M | 8 | NOK 722.8K |
| Lydproduksjon Tromsø As | computer store | Stakkevollvegen 15, 9010 Tromsø | NOK 18.9M | 14 | NOK 601.0K |
| Elkjøp Phonehouse Jekta | phone store | Heilovegen 19, 9015 Tromsø | NOK 40.2M | 6 | NOK 473.5K |
| Tromsø Bilstereo As | computer store | Skattørvegen 77, 9018 Tromsø | NOK 4.6M | 3 | NOK 337.0K |
| Snakk Tromsø As | computer store | Storgata 43, 9008 Tromsø | NOK 3.5M | 3 | NOK 274.0K |
| Teknikmagasinet Norway As Avd Tromsø | phone store | Jekta Storsenter|Karlsøyvegen 12, 9015 Tromsø | NOK 3.6M | 0 | NOK 92.0K |
| Psst! Psst! As | audio equipment / musical instruments store | Vestregata 3, 9008 Tromsø | NOK 1.3M | 7 | NOK 78.0K |
| Oio Holding As | computer store | Nedre Markveg 19, 9011 Tromsø | NOK 1.2M | 1 | NOK 28.0K |
| Eplehuset Jekta | computer store | Heilovegen 19, 9015 Tromsø | NOK 44.9M | 7 | NOK 27.5K |
| Andreassen Peripherals | computer store | Karl Halls veg 20, 9012 Tromsø | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Atelier Seblom | audio equipment / musical instruments store | Ersfjordvegen 69, 9107 Kvaløya | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Cogni Capture Sørbø | computer store | Langsundvegen 4, 9010 Tromsø | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Cogni Capture Sørbø | phone store | Langsundvegen 4, 9010 Tromsø | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Cyberwarp Da | computer store | Firkløvervegen 31, 9102 Kvaløysletta | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Eliassen Musikk | audio equipment / musical instruments store | Ringvegen 1, 9018 Tromsø | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Ff Brothers As | audio equipment / musical instruments store | Ullstindvegen 857, 9023 Krokelvdalen | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Figenschau Art | audio equipment / musical instruments store | Ringvegen 454A, 9017 Tromsø | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Johannessen | audio equipment / musical instruments store | Salarøyvegen 1150, 9103 Kvaløya | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Miningtech As | computer store | Innlandsvegen 344, 9021 Tromsdalen | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Miningtech As | phone store | Innlandsvegen 344, 9021 Tromsdalen | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Moe | computer store | Isbjørnvegen 23, 9020 Tromsdalen | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Salgsboden | audio equipment / musical instruments store | Vestregata 15, 9008 Tromsø | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Serviceteam Nn As | electronics store | Tromsøysundvegen 238, 9024 Tomasjord | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Siam Elektronikk Samut Wanlop Phong | computer store | Bernt Lies gate 1, 9008 Tromsø | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Symaskin Og Søm Tromsø Lise Olsen | electronics store | Theodor Hagerups veg 60, 9020 Tromsdalen | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Tnb Pyramiden As | computer store | Solstrandvegen 47, 9020 Tromsdalen | NOK 0 | 6 | NOK 0 |
| Trio Nord Pettersen | audio equipment / musical instruments store | Dramsvegen 110, 9010 Tromsø | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Tromsø Elektronikkbutikk As | electronics store | Strandgata 9, 9008 Tromsø | NOK 0 | 4 | NOK 0 |
| Tromsø Emarked As | electronics store | Skattørvegen 27, 9018 Tromsø | NOK 0 | 5 | NOK 0 |
| Lodve Lange As | computer store | Nansenvegen 29, 9007 Tromsø | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK -2.0K |
| Telesentrum As | computer store | Einevegen 71, 9102 Kvaløysletta | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK -6.0K |
| Symaskin Og Søm As | electronics store | Stakkevollvegen 24, 9010 Tromsø | NOK 3.9M | 4 | NOK -35.0K |
| Smartprint As | computer store | Kløvervegen 18, 9016 Tromsø | NOK 40.0K | 0 | NOK -37.0K |
| Snakk Tromsdalen As | computer store | Solstrandvegen 47, 9020 Tromsdalen | NOK 3.0M | 0 | NOK -345.0K |
Conclusion and Future Outlook
The optical retail industry in Tromsø shows a mix of stability and challenges. With 95 employees and 16 companies in 2026, the industry is established but must address declining sales (-10.4% in 2025) and variations in financial health. Tromsø's higher company concentration compared to Tromsdalen offers opportunities for economies of scale, but competition from established players is significant. Founders should focus on differentiation, digital channels, and efficient cost management. SmartGrunder can help find optimal locations in Tromsø for new optical retail stores.