Knit Store in Lillehammer: Current Status, Trends, and Outlook

Industry Overview

The knit store industry in Lillehammer is a small but dynamic sector with 8 registered companies. In recent years, the industry has shown a gradual increase in both sales and number of employees, although there have been periods of decline, especially in 2019. The industry is strongly represented in Lillehammer's city center, with companies distributed across various addresses in the city. There are no registered bankruptcies in the industry, but some companies show negative operating results or zero sales, which may indicate operational challenges or recent startups.

Economic Trends

Sales and Employees:

• Sales: The industry had total sales of NOK 8.5 million in 2025, with an annual growth of +1.9% compared to 2024. There was a significant decline in 2019 (NOK 3.1 million), but a strong increase from 2020 to 2022 (+71.8%).
• Employees: The number of employees has increased from 11 in 2016 to 17 in 2026, with an annual growth of +21.4% in 2025–2026. However, there are large variations between companies, ranging from 0 to 10 employees.

Operating Results:

• The average EBITDA margin is 2–3%, indicating that the industry has a relatively low profit margin. Some companies, such as Centrum Garn Lillehammer As, achieve an EBITDA margin of 0%, while Sybutikken Lillehammer As has a margin of 3%.
• The operating result per employee varies greatly, from NOK 0 (for companies with zero sales) to NOK 55,700 (for Sybutikken Lillehammer As).

Companies in the Industry

In Lillehammer, there are 8 companies registered in the knit store industry. The key companies and their key figures are:

Organizational Forms:

• AS (limited liability company) is the most common organizational form, with 3 companies. These have an average of 19 employees and sales of NOK 8.2 million.
• ENK (sole proprietorship) is also represented, but with lower sales and no employees.

Business Geography

The knit store industry is strongly concentrated in Lillehammer's city center, with all companies registered in the city. No activity has been reported from other districts or municipalities. The most important addresses are:

• Strandtorget (3 companies)
• Storgata (3 companies)
• Mesnakvartalet (1 company)
• Vingrom (1 company)

There is no data on the distribution of sales or employees per address, but it appears that companies are spread across central locations in Lillehammer, suggesting a focus on accessibility and customer traffic.

Operational Dynamics and Bankruptcy Statistics

Bankruptcy: There are no registered bankruptcies in the knit store industry in Lillehammer, indicating a relatively stable sector. However, some companies show negative operating results, such as:

• Fs Mesna As (operating result: -NOK 49.0K)
• Brakke 3 As (operating result: NOK 0)

Education and Development:

• Companies such as Sybutikken Lillehammer As and Putten As have shown positive development in operating results and sales, which may indicate effective operational strategies or marketing.
• Companies with zero employees or sales (such as Brakke 3 As and Fs Mesna As) may be newly started or in a transitional phase.

Outlook for Entrepreneurs

The knit store industry in Lillehammer shows an increase in sales and number of employees in recent years, which can be a positive indication for new entrepreneurs. However, EBITDA margins are low (2–3%), which can be a challenge for operating profit. Entrepreneurs should consider:

• Market Positioning: Focusing on unique products or customer customization can provide an advantage in a competitive sector.
• Cost Control: Low EBITDA margins indicate a need for efficient operations and cost optimization.
• Location: Companies in central locations (such as Strandtorget and Storgata) have an advantage in accessibility and customer traffic.

SmartGrunder can help entrepreneurs find suitable locations in Lillehammer for this industry, based on data and local conditions.

Broader Sector: The creative, arts, and entertainment activities sector in Lillehammer has 80 companies, showing that the knit store industry is a small part of a larger industry. This sector had total sales of NOK 239.1 million in 2025, with an annual decline of -22.9% compared to 2024. The number of employees has also decreased from 363 in 2026 to 349 in 2025.

Peer Companies: Current peer companies in the sector include large clothing stores such as Husfliden Lillehammer (sales: NOK 26.0M, EBITDA: NOK 2.6M) and H & M Hennes & Mauritz As (sales: NOK 43.0M, EBITDA: NOK 1.9M). These companies have higher sales and EBITDA than most knit store companies, which can serve as a benchmark for new entrepreneurs.

Conclusion: The creative, arts, and entertainment activities sector has a larger market share and higher operating results, but the knit store industry has shown a gradual increase in recent years. Entrepreneurs should consider both the opportunities and competition in this sector.

Conclusion

The knit store industry in Lillehammer has shown a gradual increase in sales and number of employees in recent years, but EBITDA margins are low, which can be a challenge for new companies. The industry is strongly concentrated in Lillehammer's city center, with companies distributed across central addresses. There are no bankruptcies, but some companies show negative operating results. Entrepreneurs should consider market positioning, cost control, and location to ensure a good start. SmartGrunder can help find suitable locations in Lillehammer for this industry, based on data and local conditions.