Knit Store in Ringerike: Industry Analysis and Outlook

Knit store industry in Ringerike municipality is a niche but active sector, with 8 registered companies primarily concentrated in Hønefoss. The industry has faced fluctuating sales and employment trends over the past decade, with a notable decline in recent years. While some companies show resilience (e.g., Norsk Flid Husfliden Hønefoss AS), others operate with zero revenue or employees, suggesting potential for consolidation or new entrants. The sector's economic performance is mixed, with limited profitability and a small workforce, but it remains a part of the broader creative and entertainment industry ecosystem in the region.

Sales and employees in the knit store sector in Ringerike (2016–2026):

Key figures:

• Sales have fallen by 25.8% from 2016 to 2025, with a short-term increase in 2025.
• The number of employees has fallen by 54.8% over the same period, now 13 in 2026.
• EBITDA margins are generally weak or zero for most companies, with an average EBITDA margin of 0.3%.
• The two most active companies (Norsk Flid and Sy Og Strikkebutikken) have combined sales of 11.3M NOK and 13 employees, but Norsk Flid has negative EBITDA and Sy Og Strikkebutikken has a very low margin.

Registered companies in the knit store industry in Ringerike (2026):

Legal form:

• 2 AS companies (Norsk Flid and Sy Og Strikkebutikken) with a total of 13 employees.
• 6 ENK companies (all with 0 employees and sales).
• 1 ANS company (Buskerud Solfilm) with no activity.

Distribution of knit store activity in Ringerike (2026):

Details for Hønefoss:

• 2 companies with 13 employees and 11.2M sales.
• Average salary per employee: 4.7M NOK.
• EBITDA margin: 0.6%.
• Average sales per company: 1.4M NOK.
• No activity registered outside Hønefoss.

Bankruptcies and operational activity:

• No bankruptcies registered in the knit store industry in Ringerike over the analysis period.
• Operational activity:
• 2 companies (Norsk Flid and Sy Og Strikkebutikken) operate with positive or negative EBITDA.
• 6 companies (including Buskerud Solfilm, Eksonor, Hannabeesupply, Jaly, Netn, Unbranded) have no sales or employees, which may indicate:
• Inactive companies
• New companies without operations
• Companies in the start-up phase without economic activity
• Operational risk:
• Low EBITDA margin (0.3% average) and negative EBITDA for Norsk Flid (68.0K loss) show weak profitability.
• Low sales volume (11.2M NOK total) compared to 266.6M NOK in the broader creative sector in Ringerike.

Outlook for Entrepreneurs

Expectations for new players in the knit store industry in Ringerike:

1. Market space:

• Hønefoss is the only activity center, with 8 companies and 13 employees. This provides a concentrated market space, but also potential bankruptcy risk from weak companies.

1. Competitiveness:

• Norsk Flid and Sy Og Strikkebutikken are the two most competitive companies, but with weak EBITDA margins (0% and 1% respectively).
• A new entrepreneur must consider differentiation (e.g., unique products, digital approach) to compete.

1. Operational risk:

• Low EBITDA margin (0.3% average) and negative EBITDA for Norsk Flid show weak profitability.
• 6 companies have no operations, which may indicate high closure rates in the industry.

1. Available addresses:

• Hønefoss has several vacant addresses (e.g., Søndre torv 2, Torvgata 10) that can be used for new companies.
• SmartGrunder can help find optimal localization in Hønefoss to maximize exposure and operational efficiency.

Contrast between the knit store industry and creative, art, and entertainment activities in Ringerike:

Key figures for the creative sector:

• Larger volume: 81 companies vs. 8 in the knit store industry.
• Higher sales: 181.3M NOK (2025) vs. 11.2M NOK in the knit store industry.
• More employees: 232 employees (2026) vs. 13 in the knit store industry.
• Peer companies in the creative sector (top 5 by EBITDA):

1. Per J Gundersen AS (clothing store) – 3.2M NOK EBITDA, 23.3M NOK sales, 13 employees
2. Bård AS (clothing store) – 2.4M NOK EBITDA, 20.4M NOK sales, 16 employees
3. Kappahl AS (clothing store) – 2.1M NOK EBITDA, 18.5M NOK sales, 14 employees
4. Dressmann AS (clothing store) – 1.9M NOK EBITDA, 11.9M NOK sales, 7 employees
5. H&M Hennes & Mauritz AS (clothing store) – 1.6M NOK EBITDA, 33.4M NOK sales, 12 employees

Conclusion:

• The knit store industry is a niche market within the broader creative sector, with lower volume and weaker profitability.
• Entrepreneurs should consider collaboration with larger companies in the creative sector (e.g., H&M, Kappahl) to gain access to resources and market knowledge.

The knit store industry in Ringerike is a small-scale, concentrated sector with 8 companies and 13 employees, primarily located in Hønefoss. Although no bankruptcies have been registered, data shows weak economic results (low EBITDA margin, negative EBITDA for Norsk Flid) and rising closure rates (6 companies with no operations). Entrepreneurs should consider opportunities in Hønefoss, but must be mindful of competitiveness and operational risk. The broader creative sector in Ringerike (81 companies, 181.3M NOK sales) provides a larger market space and potential collaboration opportunities, but the knit store industry has a unique position as a niche player.