US retail industry supported 55 million full-time and part-time jobs in 2022, accounting for 26% of total US employment and remaining the largest private-sector employer, according to NRF report

WASHINGTON , March 19, 2024 (press release) –

The retail industry remains the largest private-sector employer, supporting 55 million jobs in 2022, up from 52 million in 2018. It contributes 26% to total U.S. employment, with a total labor income of $3 trillion and GDP contribution of $5.3 trillion in 2022. The majority of retail establishments have fewer than 50 employees.

Key Highlights:

* Retail industry's total labor income contribution was $3 trillion in 2022, 20% of national labor income

* There were nearly 4.6 million retail establishments in 2022, accounting for 11.1% of all business establishments

* States with the largest total number of retail establishments in 2022 were California , Texas , Florida, New York , and Georgia

Original Press Release:

WASHINGTON , March 18 -- National Retail Federation, Inc. issued the following news release:

The retail industry supported 55 million full-time and part-time jobs in 2022, accounting for 26% of total U.S. employment, according to a new report released today by the National Retail Federation . The figures are up from 52 million jobs and 25% of total U.S. employment in 2018. Conducted by PwC, The Economic Contribution of the U.S. Retail Industry examines the direct, indirect and induced contribution of the retail industry to the U.S. economy.

“The retail industry continues to expand in every way possible, from the number of jobs it supports to the number of retail businesses, and its total impact on GDP,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. “As the largest private-sector employer, American families and workers depend on a strong retail economy for continued growth and opportunity in communities large and small across the country.”

The retail industry continues to expand in every way possible, from the number of jobs it supports to the number of retail businesses, and its total impact on GDP.

NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay

According to the report, the retail industry’s total labor income contribution was approximately $3 trillion , or 20% of total national labor income in 2022. The industry’s total gross domestic product (GDP) contribution was $5.3 trillion , accounting for 20.4% of U.S. GDP.

In terms of direct economic contribution, the report found that there were nearly 4.6 million retail establishments in 2022, which accounted for 11.1% of all business establishments in the country. Retailers also directly provided 32.2 million jobs for American workers.

While retailers can range from small, local businesses to global operations, the study found that the vast majority (98.6%) had fewer than 50 employees in 2022. These firms accounted for 40.1% of all retail jobs and 35.6% of total labor income in the retail industry. Those with 50 or more employees accounted for a significant portion of retail employment (59.9%) and labor income (64.4%).

The report also examined retail’s economic impact for each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia . The states with the largest total number of retail establishments in 2022 were California , Texas , Florida, New York and Georgia .

The report was released in advance of NRF’s fourth annual State of Retail & the Consumer virtual discussion on the health of the American consumer, the U.S. economy and the retail industry.

Read the full report here(https://nrf.com/research-insights/retails-impact).

As the leading authority and voice for the retail industry, NRF conducts research throughout the year, staying on the pulse of the industry and consumer behavior as they evolve.

About NRF

The National Retail Federation passionately advocates for the people, brands, policies and ideas that help retail succeed. From its headquarters in Washington, D.C. , NRF empowers the industry that powers the economy. Retail is the nation’s largest private-sector employer, contributing $5.3 trillion to annual GDP and supporting more than one in four U.S. jobs — 55 million working Americans. For over a century, NRF has been a voice for every retailer and every retail job, educating, inspiring and communicating the powerful impact retail has on local communities and global economies. nrf.com

Source: National Retail Federation, Inc.

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