What Fretex does

Fretex AS is Norway's largest non-profit secondhand retail chain and work-inclusion company, wholly owned by Frelsesarmeen (The Salvation Army) and headquartered in Sandnes. The company operates through four subsidiaries: Fretex Miljø (environment/reuse), Fretex Jobb og Oppfølging and Fretex Pluss (work inclusion), and Fretex International (textile export). The Miljø division runs 39 physical stores, one online store, two sorting facilities, and approximately 3,600 sensor-equipped textile collection boxes nationwide, processing 13,638 tonnes of donated textiles in 2025 and reselling through retail (224,944 thousand NOK in 2025), consignment (Fretex Kuratert in Oslo, 50/50 revenue split), and export channels (90% to Poland/Baltics, 10% to North Iraq, Pakistan, and Dubai).

The Jobb division operates 32 departments with 300 job consultants delivering NAV-funded programs — AFT (Arbeidsforberedende trening), VTA (Varig Tilrettelagt Arbeid), and IPS (Individuell Jobbstøtte) — placing 1,211 job seekers in employment and 166 into education in 2025. Technical infrastructure includes IoT fill-level sensors on collection boxes that optimize routing, Posten integration for the free Fretexpakken donation shipping service, and an online store. Marketing channels span the corporate website, LinkedIn (Fretex Jobb), Instagram (Fretex Kuratert), press releases, and the annual Fretex Jobbbarometer employer survey.

The business model blends four revenue streams: retail sales of donated goods (store and online), NAV-funded work-inclusion contracts, wholesale textile exports via Fretex International, and ancillary services (consignment commission, death-estate clearing). Approximately 1 million NOK per month is channeled to The Salvation Army's charitable work from retail profits. Fretex holds eQuass and Miljøfyrtårn certifications and is a member of Etisk handel Norge, Avfall Norge, and NHO Service Arbeid & inkludering.

Name

Fretex

Legal name

Fretex AS

Website

https://fretex.no

Company type

Private

Founded year

1905

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Fretex AS is a Norwegian non-profit, owned by The Salvation Army, operating Norway's largest secondhand retail chain (39 stores, 3,600 collection boxes) and a nationwide work-inclusion business (32 offices, 300 job consultants) that places people facing employment barriers into jobs via NAV-funded programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Secondhand Retail and Work Inclusion Services

NAICS

Textile Product Mills (314)

SIC

Wholesale-Apparel, Piece Goods & Notions (5130)

akta.pro primary industry

Donation, Resale & Textile Recycling Coordination (HSAFABAI)

Keywords

• Secondhand retail
• Textile reuse
• Work inclusion services
• Vocational rehabilitation
• Circular economy

Headquarters

HQ city

Oslo

HQ country

Norway

HQ region

Europe

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Retail sales of secondhand goods: Fretex operates 39 physical stores and one online store selling donated clothing, accessories, furniture, books, and other secondhand items. Revenue is generated through retail sales to consumers. In 2025, store sales reached 224,944 thousand Norwegian kroner.
2. Export of surplus textiles: Clothing that cannot be sold or donated in Norway is exported through Fretex International AS to sorting facilities in Poland and the Baltic states (90% of volume) and to customers in North Iraq, Pakistan, and Dubai (10% of volume, only finely sorted items). This export business supports the circular economy and generates revenue.
3. Commission sales (Fretex Kuratert): Fretex Kuratert in Oslo offers commission sales where the commission owner (seller) and Fretex split revenue equally. The portion Fretex takes supports the Salvation Army's charitable work. Commission period is 30 days.
4. Death estate services: Fretex offers a paid service for handling entire estate clearing and transportation for bereaved families, conducted with respect and in close cooperation with the bereaved.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Fretex collects used textiles through approximately 3,600 collection boxes, the Fretexpakken postal shipping service, and a network of donation drop-offs. It then sells donated clothing, accessories, furniture, books and home goods through 39 physical secondhand stores and one online store across Norway, and exports surplus textiles to sorting facilities in Poland, the Baltic states, and selected Asian markets. In parallel, Fretex Jobb operates work inclusion and vocational rehabilitation programs (AFT, VTA, IPS, Avklaring, Oppfølging) that help people with barriers to employment obtain and retain work, with 300 job consultants across 32 offices.

Product overview

Fretex AS is Norway's largest nonprofit work inclusion company and secondhand retail chain, operating as a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Salvation Army in Norway. The organization comprises two main business areas: Environmental (Fretex Miljø AS) and Work Inclusion (Fretex Jobb og Oppfølging AS, Fretex Pluss AS). Fretex Miljø operates 39 physical retail stores and one online store, selling donated items and managing the Fretex Kuratert consignment service. Fretex Jobb offers work inclusion programs including AFT (Arbeidsforberedende trening), VTA (Varig Tilrettelagt Arbeid), IPS (Individuell Jobbstøtte), Avklaring, and Oppfølging. Fretex International AS handles textile exports. Additional services include Fretexpakken (postal shipping), Fretexboksene (collection boxes), and Galleri Vox (art gallery in Bergen). The organization fights exclusion by helping people obtain and retain employment, and fights for the environment by promoting reuse.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Fretex Kuratert: Commission sales concept for curated secondhand clothing and accessories, located at Universitetsgata 20 in Oslo
• Galleri Vox

Products and services

• Fretexbutikkene (Fretex Secondhand Stores) Chain of 39 physical secondhand stores across Norway selling donated clothing, shoes, accessories, books, sports equipment, small furniture and home decor to consumers at affordable prices; largest store is Fretex Alnabru in Oslo.
• Fretex Online Store E-commerce storefront at fretex.no selling selected items from the physical store network to Norwegian consumers nationwide.
• Fretexpakken Free shipping service that lets donors send clothing, shoes, belts, bags and accessories to Fretex via the Norwegian postal service (Posten), integrating with Posten parcel boxes and Post i Butikk delivery points.
• Fretexboksene (Collection Boxes) Approximately 3,600 sensor-equipped textile collection points across Norway where donors drop off clean, dry, usable clothing and textiles; boxes trigger optimized collection routes when ~80% full.
• Fretex Kuratert (Consignment Sales) Consignment sales service in Oslo that sells curated secondhand clothing and accessories on behalf of the consignor, splitting proceeds 50/50 with Fretex; items are sold for 30 days before becoming Fretex property.
• Arbeidsforberedende trening (AFT) Work Preparation Training program providing job coaches, exploration of resources and interests, work-task trials, guidance on education and training, and support finding and maintaining employment for people who struggle to obtain or function in ordinary work.
• Varig Tilrettelagt Arbeid (VTA) Permanent Adapted Work program providing job coaches, mapping of resources, support for education and training, adapted work tasks, and ongoing employer collaboration for individuals receiving or about to receive disability benefits.
• Individuell Jobbstøtte (IPS) Individual Placement and Support program that combines Fretex Jobb employment specialists with healthcare/NAV therapists to help people with mental health or other challenges find and keep competitive employment.
• Galleri Vox Art gallery and studio in Bergen that operates as a work-inclusion program for people with mental health challenges, providing creative workspace, atelier activity, and exhibition opportunities.
• Textile Export Services (Fretex International) Export of sorted and coarse-sorted used clothing from Norway to international sorting facilities and secondhand retailers in Eastern Europe and Asia, governed by Fretex's Code of Conduct.
• Death Estate Clearing Services (Dødsbo-tjenester) Paid estate clearing service that handles the full emptying and transportation of contents from the homes of deceased persons, conducted respectfully and in cooperation with bereaved families.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1,400 job seekers obtained employment or started education through Fretex Jobb programs in 2025
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Gustav Magnar WitzøeminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Celebrity collaboration where Gustav Magnar Witzøe and his mother created a generation collection, donating items to Fretex via Fretexpakken. This partnership generated media attention for Fretex's donation services.
• Ole Robert Reitan, Randi Marjamaa, Daniel Siraj KjørbergminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Top business leaders who participated in a campaign for work inclusion, helping Fretex Jobb reach out to Norwegian employers about inclusive hiring.
• NAPHA (Norsk arbeidsgiver i psykisk helsearbeid)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Nathan Bunting from Fretex Jobb IPS team presented at NAPHA Conference 2025 on work inclusion and mental health, sharing insights on value-based approaches to employment inclusion.
• NAV (Norsk arbeids- og velferdsetat)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFretex Jobb operates work inclusion programs (AFT, VTA) in collaboration with and on behalf of NAV. In 2025, over 1,400 people obtained work or started education through Fretex Jobb programs funded by NAV. The partnership is central to Fretex's social mission.
• Etisk handel Norge (Ethical Trade Norway)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFretex is a member of Ethical Trade Norway, working towards responsible supply chains. Fretex follows Ethical Trade Norway's framework for ethical trade practices, particularly in their international textile export operations through Fretex International.
• Avfall NorgeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFretex is a member of Avfall Norge (Norwegian Waste Management Association), participating in industry discussions on waste management and circular economy practices.
• NHO Service - Arbeid & inkluderingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFretex is a member of the industry association Arbeid & inkludering within NHO Service, representing Norway's largest work inclusion companies.
• Posten (Norwegian Post)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPosten provides logistics for Fretexpakken, allowing donors nationwide to send textiles to Fretex for free. Donors can use postboxes, Pakkeboks parcel lockers, or Post i Butikk delivery points.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Humana People to People: Largest Scandinavian secondhand textile collector and sortex, running secondhand shops in Denmark, Sweden, and Flanders under a development-cooperation model. Direct peer to Fretex Miljø: same donation-box + sorting + retail + export model and similar nonprofit/social-mission overlay.
• UFF (U-landshjälp från Folk till Folk): Swedish/Norwegian secondhand chain operating retail stores and textile collection, with proceeds funding international development projects. Overlaps with Fretex on secondhand retail, collection logistics, and nonprofit social-mission positioning in the Nordics.
• Kirkens Bymisjon (Church City Mission): Norwegian charitable organization running secondhand shops (Møllergata Bruktbutikk, etc.) staffed largely by volunteers, providing employment training. Closest direct Norwegian competitor on secondhand retail and work-inclusion overlap.
• Røde Kors (Norwegian Red Cross): Operates a national chain of volunteer-staffed secondhand shops in Norway (Røde Kors Butikkene) that directly competes with Fretex on donated clothing supply, store traffic, and volunteer-driven low-cost resale pricing.

Emerging players

• Sellpy (H&M Group): Online resale platform owned by H&M that collects used clothing from consumers and resells via a centralized operation. Comparable to Fretex's online store and Fretexpakken collection model, but with a digital-first, for-profit structure.
• Vinted: Peer-to-peer secondhand fashion marketplace with strong Nordic presence, directly competing with Fretex Kuratert and Fretex's online store for higher-quality donated items and price-conscious buyers.
• Beyond Retro: Curated vintage and secondhand fashion retailer with stores in the UK, Nordics, and Europe; comparable to Fretex Kuratert's curated resale tier, with similar emphasis on style-led positioning of secondhand clothing.

Regional players

• Samlaren / Myrorna (Stockholms Stadsmission): Swedish charitable secondhand chain affiliated with Stockholms Stadsmission; comparable retail + reuse model in the Nordic region with similar work-inclusion programs for vulnerable job seekers.

Broad incumbents

• Oxfam (UK charity shops): Large UK-based charitable chain operating thousands of secondhand shops funded by donated goods. Comparable to Fretex at the broader mission and operational scale, though geographically distinct and primarily UK-focused.

Others

• NHO Service - Arbeid & Inkludering member companies: Industry peers through NHO Service membership (e.g., Attendo, Stendi, Aleris omsorg work-inclusion arms) competing for NAV-funded AFT/VTA/IPS contracts that today flow to Fretex Jobb. Direct competitors on the work-inclusion side of the business.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fretex-norge-as
• Instagraminstagram.com/fretex_kuratert
• Xx.com/FretexNorge
• Facebookfacebook.com/FretexFashion

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Fretex