Knit Store in Kristiansand: Industry Analysis and Outlook

Knit Store in Kristiansand is an industry characterized by both stability and variations in development. In 2026, there are 29 companies registered in the industry, with a mix of older businesses and new companies that have started up in recent years. Industry statistics show that sales reached a peak in 2024, but fell sharply in 2025. Employment numbers grew until 2022, followed by a decline in the subsequent years. The business community in Kristiansand consists of a mix of companies of varying sizes and structures, and it is possible to identify both opportunities and challenges for new entrants.

Sales and employment numbers in the knit store industry in Kristiansand have shown variations over time. Sales peaked at NOK 37.4 million in 2024, but fell to NOK 20.5 million in 2025. Employment numbers grew from 30 in 2016 to 83 in 2022, before declining to 64 in 2026. EBITDA margins have been very low, with an average margin of 1% in 2024. This indicates that many businesses in the industry have very low operating margins, which could be a challenge for future growth.

There are 29 companies registered in the knit store industry in Kristiansand, with a mix of AS and ENK entities. The most well-known companies include Kremmerloftet As, Princess Avd 101 Sørlandssenteret, and Karmin Garn & Gaver As. Older companies, such as Princess Avd 101 (founded 1995), have been in operation for over 30 years, while several newer companies, such as Aluna Knitwear Nepstad (founded 2025), have started up in recent years. Most companies are AS entities, and there are no registered bankruptcies in the industry.

Industrial activity in Kristiansand is dominant, with 6 companies and 40 employees. Søgne has one business, but this has no operating results and no employees. Kristiansand therefore has a much larger industry scale than Søgne, and it is here that most businesses in the industry are located. This indicates that Kristiansand is an important central hub for the knit store industry in the municipality.

The business community in Kristiansand has shown both growth and decline over time. There have been several bankruptcies registered in the industry, but no current bankruptcies in 2026. The most dramatic changes occurred in 2025, where sales fell by 45.2% and employment numbers fell by 28%. This may indicate a significant decline in activity in the industry over recent years, which could be a challenge for new entrants.

Outlooks for new entrants in the knit store industry in Kristiansand are mixed. It is possible to identify both opportunities and challenges. The business community has shown growth in recent years, but there has also been a significant decline in 2025. This may indicate some uncertainty in the industry, and it may be a challenge to establish oneself in an industry with low margins and high bankruptcy risk. However, there may also be opportunities to establish oneself in an industry with a certain degree of stability, especially in Kristiansand where there is a larger industry scale than in Søgne.

Compared to the broader creative, arts, and entertainment activities industry in Kristiansand, the knit store industry is less stable. The broader industry has higher sales volumes, with NOK 1.23 billion in 2024, and a higher number of employees, with 1,199 employees in 2026. This indicates that the broader industry has a greater degree of stability and growth than the knit store industry. However, there may be opportunities to establish oneself in the knit store industry, especially in Kristiansand where there is a larger industry scale than in Søgne.

The knit store industry in Kristiansand has both opportunities and challenges. It is possible to identify a certain degree of stability in the industry, especially in Kristiansand where there is a larger industry scale than in Søgne. However, there is also a certain degree of uncertainty, and it may be a challenge to establish oneself in an industry with low margins and high bankruptcy risk. This could be an important consideration for new entrants considering establishing themselves in the industry. SmartGrunder can help entrepreneurs find suitable locations in Kristiansand to start up in the knit store industry.