Knit Store in Bergen: Analysis of Companies, Economics, and Outlooks

The knit store industry in Bergen has a complex structure with 51 registered companies in the municipality, but only 16 of these are detailed in public registers. The industry has been marked by fluctuations in both sales and number of employees over the past few years, with a significant decline in 2025. At the same time, the industry is part of the broader creative, arts, and entertainment activities sector, which has over 600 companies in Bergen. This shows that the knit store industry is a relatively small but important part of a larger industry that has been in focus for both economic and cultural development trends in the region.

Over the past few years, the knit store industry in Bergen has shown uneven development. Sales rose sharply in 2020 (NOK 62.3M), but fell by 28.4% in 2025 to NOK 42.6M. The number of employees has increased continuously until 2026, where there are now 122 employees. EBITDA margins have varied between 2% and 18%, with some companies achieving high values (e.g., Strikkeby As with 18%). This shows that the industry has both strong and weak players, and that economic challenges have been present for some companies.

In Bergen, there are 16 registered companies in the knit store industry, with a mix of AS and ENK entities. The most notable companies include:

• Bergens Broderiservice As (Nikolaikirkeallmenningen 1F): 34 employees, NOK 14.3M in operating income, EBITDA of 2%.
• Norwegian Spirit As (Seiersbjerget 4): 14 employees, NOK 9.7M in sales, but with a negative EBITDA margin of 1%.
• Hobbykjelleren Lagunen As (Laguneveien 1): 12 employees, NOK 13.3M in sales and 7% EBITDA margin.

Several companies, such as Strikkeby As and Strikketid As, have no sales or operating profit, which may indicate new or weak businesses.

Activity in the knit store industry is distributed across several districts in Bergen:

It is clear that Bergen is the hub of the industry, with the most companies and employees, while Rådal and Kokstad have relatively high EBITDA margins.

The industry has been marked by certain financial challenges. Garnstuen Åsane As (Ulset) had a negative operating result of NOK -167,000 in 2025, and EBITDA of -3%. This shows that some companies have been in difficulties. However, there are no registered bankruptcies in the industry, which indicates that most companies have managed to stay afloat. However, there is a risk that such companies may become weaker in the future.

For entrepreneurs considering establishing themselves in the knit store industry in Bergen, it is important to be aware of the fluctuations in recent years. The sharp decline in sales in 2025 (28.4%) shows that the industry can be vulnerable to external factors such as economic downturns or changes in customer skills. However, it is possible to find companies with stable finances and high EBITDA margins, which can provide a solid foundation for new business. It is also worth noting that the industry is part of a larger creative sector, which can provide opportunities for collaboration and development.

The broader creative, arts, and entertainment activities sector in Bergen has been in focus for both economic and cultural development trends. With 621 companies in this sector, which includes both clothing stores, shoe stores, and other creative businesses, there is a large market potential for the knit store industry. However, this sector has also been marked by significant declines, such as a 96.8% reduction in sales in 2026. This shows that it is important to be aware of both the industry's and sector's development. For example, H&M Hennes & Mauritz As Avd 747 Galleriet (Bergen) has NOK 128.9M in sales and 80 employees, showing that large players in the sector can provide opportunities for collaboration.

The knit store industry in Bergen has both opportunities and challenges. With a relatively stable number of employees and some companies with high EBITDA margins, the industry can be a good choice for entrepreneurs seeking a combination of creativity and economic stability. At the same time, it is important to be aware of the recent downturn trends, both in the industry and the broader creative sector. SmartGrunder can help entrepreneurs find optimal addresses and locations in Bergen to maximize the chances of success in this industry.