Editor's Note: This story originally appeared on Printastic.
Traditional retail has faced major headwinds over the past two decades, first driven by the rise of e-commerce and then accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
As online shopping grew, physical retailers struggled to compete, leading to widespread closures of department stores, malls, and independent shops. The pandemic dealt a final blow to many, with lockdowns and shifting consumer habits forcing major chains like J.Crew, Neiman Marcus, and JCPenney into bankruptcy, while countless small businesses shut their doors.
Despite these challenges, recent trends suggest a rebound in physical retail. Some brands are expanding, consumer interest in in-person shopping is rising, and independent retailers are re-embracing storefronts.
However, retail demand varies across the U.S., with some regions experiencing a surge in new businesses while others continue to see declines.
This analysis by Printastic, a leading provider of custom signs and banners for businesses, highlights the cities with the fastest-growing retail sectors, offering insight into where demand for in-person shopping is rising. Learn more about the methodology at the end.
Here are the top major metro areas for retail business growth.
15. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
- Retail establishment growth (2020–2024): +5.8%
- Retail employment growth (2020–2024): +6.0%
- Change in retail establishments (2020–2024): +2,196
- Change in retail employment (2020–2024): +30,688
- Total retail establishments (2024): 40,240
- Total retail employment (2024): 538,321
14. Jacksonville, FL
- Retail establishment growth (2020–2024): +6.0%
- Retail employment growth (2020–2024): +9.8%
- Change in retail establishments (2020–2024): +327
- Change in retail employment (2020–2024): +7,479
- Total retail establishments (2024): 5,781
- Total retail employment (2024): 83,646
13. Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA
- Retail establishment growth (2020–2024): +6.7%
- Retail employment growth (2020–2024): +3.9%
- Change in retail establishments (2020–2024): +381
- Change in retail employment (2020–2024): +3,637
- Total retail establishments (2024): 6,106
- Total retail employment (2024): 96,583
12. Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
- Retail establishment growth (2020–2024): +6.9%
- Retail employment growth (2020–2024): +8.3%
- Change in retail establishments (2020–2024): +725
- Change in retail employment (2020–2024): +18,756
- Total retail establishments (2024): 11,283
- Total retail employment (2024): 244,304
11. Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL
- Retail establishment growth (2020–2024): +7.0%
- Retail employment growth (2020–2024): +8.5%
- Change in retail establishments (2020–2024): +770
- Change in retail employment (2020–2024): +12,644
- Total retail establishments (2024): 11,799
- Total retail employment (2024): 161,396
10. Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX
- Retail establishment growth (2020–2024): +7.3%
- Retail employment growth (2020–2024): +13.9%
- Change in retail establishments (2020–2024): +434
- Change in retail employment (2020–2024): +14,190
- Total retail establishments (2024): 6,365
- Total retail employment (2024): 116,458
9. Memphis, TN-MS-AR
- Retail establishment growth (2020–2024): +7.6%
- Retail employment growth (2020–2024): -0.3%
- Change in retail establishments (2020–2024): +317
- Change in retail employment (2020–2024): -185
- Total retail establishments (2024): 4,483
- Total retail employment (2024): 61,416
8. Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL
- Retail establishment growth (2020–2024): +8.2%
- Retail employment growth (2020–2024): +10.5%
- Change in retail establishments (2020–2024): +755
- Change in retail employment (2020–2024): +14,342
- Total retail establishments (2024): 9,976
- Total retail employment (2024): 150,471
7. Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
- Retail establishment growth (2020–2024): +8.7%
- Retail employment growth (2020–2024): +5.7%
- Change in retail establishments (2020–2024): +380
- Change in retail employment (2020–2024): +3,472
- Total retail establishments (2024): 4,726
- Total retail employment (2024): 64,857
6. Raleigh-Cary, NC
- Retail establishment growth (2020–2024): +9.7%
- Retail employment growth (2020–2024): +7.9%
- Change in retail establishments (2020–2024): +403
- Change in retail employment (2020–2024): +5,379
- Total retail establishments (2024): 4,564
- Total retail employment (2024): 73,635
5. Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
- Retail establishment growth (2020–2024): +9.8%
- Retail employment growth (2020–2024): +10.5%
- Change in retail establishments (2020–2024): +793
- Change in retail employment (2020–2024): +12,833
- Total retail establishments (2024): 8,866
- Total retail employment (2024): 135,175
4. Salt Lake City-Murray, UT
- Retail establishment growth (2020–2024): +10.2%
- Retail employment growth (2020–2024): +3.8%
- Change in retail establishments (2020–2024): +419
- Change in retail employment (2020–2024): +2,720
- Total retail establishments (2024): 4,517
- Total retail employment (2024): 74,617
3. Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA
- Retail establishment growth (2020–2024): +10.2%
- Retail employment growth (2020–2024): +9.3%
- Change in retail establishments (2020–2024): +1,042
- Change in retail employment (2020–2024): +15,301
- Total retail establishments (2024): 11,248
- Total retail employment (2024): 180,605
2. Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA
- Retail establishment growth (2020–2024): +13.1%
- Retail employment growth (2020–2024): +8.2%
- Change in retail establishments (2020–2024): +2,232
- Change in retail employment (2020–2024): +22,179
- Total retail establishments (2024): 19,281
- Total retail employment (2024): 291,990
1. Nashville-Davidson-Murfreesboro-Franklin, TN
- Retail establishment growth (2020–2024): +19.2%
- Retail employment growth (2020–2024): +9.7%
- Change in retail establishments (2020–2024): +1,218
- Change in retail employment (2020–2024): +9,215
- Total retail establishments (2024): 7,550
- Total retail employment (2024): 104,236
Methodology
This analysis is based on data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW).
To identify locations with the most retail business growth, researchers at Printastic calculated the percentage change in the number of retail business establishments between 2020 and 2024. Because Q4 2024 data has not yet been released, data from the first three quarters of each year was averaged.
In cases where two locations experienced the same percentage increase in retail establishments, the location with the larger percentage increase in retail employment over the same period was ranked higher.
Only metro areas with complete data for all six quarters were included. Connecticut metros were excluded due to county boundary changes.
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