Knit Store Industry in Harstad: A Comprehensive Analysis

The knit store industry in Harstad is a small but dynamic sector with three registered companies and 13 employees in 2026. The industry has shown variable economic development, with annual sales growth of 48% in 2025, but a low EBITDA margin (0%) and negative operating results for some companies. There are no bankruptcy registrations among the companies, indicating a stable industry. New companies such as Larsen Nyborg Entrepreneurs (founded in 2024) show growth potential, although they have not yet generated revenue. The industry falls within the broader creative, arts, and entertainment activities sector, which has a higher number of companies and more stable economics.

The industry has shown uneven, but generally positive development over the years. Sales growth has been most significant in 2018–2019 (+53.5%) and 2023–2024 (+16.8%), but has declined in 2024–2025 (-7.2%). The number of employees has increased from 0 in 2016 to 13 in 2026, with a rise of 18.2% in 2025–2026. The EBITDA margin is negative for the entire industry (0%), indicating high operating costs relative to revenue. The industry has an average gross profit margin of 43%, but an operating margin that is negative (-1%).

In Harstad, the following companies are registered in the knit store industry:

1. Garn & Sånt AS (Fjordgata 1, Harstad)

• Founded: 2018
• Employees: 9
• Sales: NOK 3.2M
• EBITDA: NOK 167,000
• Organizational form: AS

1. Lileng AS (Damveien 12, Harstad)

• Founded: 2003
• Employees: 4
• Sales: NOK 6.3M
• EBITDA: NOK -235,000
• Organizational form: AS

1. Larsen Nyborg Entrepreneurs (Grønnebakkan 58, Harstad)

• Founded: 2024
• Employees: 0
• Sales: NOK 0
• Organizational form: ENK

Most companies are AS entities, and there are no bankruptcy registrations. Garn & Sånt AS has the best EBITDA per employee (NOK 25,900), while Lileng AS has a negative EBITDA (-NOK 67,000).

All activities in the knit store industry are concentrated in the Harstad city center. There is no activity in other city districts or municipalities. The key addresses are:

• Bertheustorget/Fjordgata 1 (Garn & Sånt AS)
• Damveien 12 (Lileng AS)
• Grønnebakkan 58 (Larsen Nyborg Entrepreneurs)

There is no spread to other areas in the municipality, which may indicate a concentration of customers and market in the city center.

The industry has been marked by variations in sales and number of employees. Between 2020–2021, the number of employees increased by 25%, but decreased again in 2021–2022. There are no bankruptcy registrations, indicating a stable industry. Larsen Nyborg Entrepreneurs, founded in 2024, has not yet generated revenue, which may be a challenge for newly established companies. Lileng AS has a negative EBITDA in 2025, which may affect the company's economic stability.

Outlook for Founders

For founders in the knit store industry in Harstad, there are both opportunities and challenges. The industry has shown growth in sales and number of employees, but a low EBITDA margin (0%) and negative operating results for some companies. There are no bankruptcy registrations, indicating a stable industry. Founders should focus on cost control and efficient operations to achieve positive results. There are also opportunities for collaboration with existing companies such as Garn & Sånt AS and Lileng AS, which have established presence in the municipality.

The broader creative, arts, and entertainment activities sector in Harstad has 57 companies, compared to 3 in the knit store industry. Sales in the sector grew by 14% in 2023, but declined by 34.4% in 2024–2025. The number of employees has been stable, with an increase of 9.6% in 2025–2026. Peer companies in the sector include large clothing stores such as H&M (NOK 33.4M in sales) and Lindex (NOK 11.7M in sales), as well as shoe stores such as Kanebogen Sko AS (NOK 10.7M in sales). This shows that Harstad has a broad but competitive sector, where the knit store industry can be a niche with potential for specialization.

The knit store industry in Harstad is a small but stable sector with growth potential. There are opportunities for founders who wish to establish themselves in a competitive industry, but it is important to focus on cost control and efficient operations. The broader creative, arts, and entertainment activities sector in the municipality has a higher number of companies and more stable economics, which can provide support for newly established companies. SmartGrunder can help founders find suitable locations and strategies to succeed in this industry.