Size of the US Retail Trade industry
NAICS 44-45, Retail Trade. Every figure on this page was published by a federal statistical agency and carries its source and period. Palanor does not estimate: a period the agency didn’t publish shows as missing, and a figure it withheld shows as withheld.
Key figures
- Receipts (sales, shipments or revenue)
- $6.97 trillion
- 2022 · Economic Census
All establishments, current dollars - Sales
- $677 billion
- 2026-07 · Monthly Retail Trade Survey
Employer firms by kind of business, current dollars - Employment
- 15,083,085
- 2026-Q1 · Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages
Private-sector jobs in the third month of each quarter
Over time
How it has changed
Show the numbers
| Period | Value |
|---|---|
| 2026-07 | $661 billion |
| 2026-06 | $665 billion |
| 2026-05 | $664 billion |
| 2026-04 | $658 billion |
| 2026-03 | $654 billion |
| 2026-02 | $641 billion |
| 2026-01 | $635 billion |
| 2025-12 | $635 billion |
| 2025-11 | $634 billion |
| 2025-10 | $631 billion |
| 2025-09 | $632 billion |
| 2025-08 | $631 billion |
| 2025-07 | $629 billion |
| 2025-06 | $621 billion |
| 2025-05 | $617 billion |
| 2025-04 | $624 billion |
| 2025-03 | $625 billion |
| 2025-02 | $617 billion |
| 2025-01 | $615 billion |
| 2024-12 | $622 billion |
| 2024-11 | $616 billion |
| 2024-10 | $613 billion |
| 2024-09 | $609 billion |
| 2024-08 | $604 billion |
| 2024-07 | $606 billion |
| 2024-06 | $600 billion |
| 2024-05 | $600 billion |
| 2024-04 | $596 billion |
| 2024-03 | $596 billion |
| 2024-02 | $593 billion |
| 2024-01 | $589 billion |
| 2023-12 | $594 billion |
| 2023-11 | $594 billion |
| 2023-10 | $596 billion |
| 2023-09 | $599 billion |
| 2023-08 | $595 billion |
| 2023-07 | $589 billion |
| 2023-06 | $589 billion |
| 2023-05 | $586 billion |
| 2023-04 | $584 billion |
| 2023-03 | $579 billion |
| 2023-02 | $586 billion |
| 2023-01 | $592 billion |
| 2022-12 | $569 billion |
| 2022-11 | $576 billion |
| 2022-10 | $585 billion |
| 2022-09 | $579 billion |
| 2022-08 | $581 billion |
| 2022-07 | $579 billion |
| 2022-06 | $586 billion |
| 2022-05 | $580 billion |
| 2022-04 | $581 billion |
| 2022-03 | $574 billion |
| 2022-02 | $564 billion |
| 2022-01 | $560 billion |
| 2021-12 | $547 billion |
| 2021-11 | $551 billion |
| 2021-10 | $545 billion |
| 2021-09 | $537 billion |
| 2021-08 | $532 billion |
| 2021-07 | $529 billion |
| 2021-06 | $540 billion |
| 2021-05 | $537 billion |
| 2021-04 | $542 billion |
| 2021-03 | $540 billion |
| 2021-02 | $489 billion |
| 2021-01 | $502 billion |
| 2020-12 | $486 billion |
| 2020-11 | $478 billion |
| 2020-10 | $481 billion |
| 2020-09 | $483 billion |
| 2020-08 | $474 billion |
| 2020-07 | $472 billion |
| 2020-06 | $466 billion |
| 2020-05 | $438 billion |
| 2020-04 | $370 billion |
| 2020-03 | $421 billion |
| 2020-02 | $448 billion |
| 2020-01 | $448 billion |
| 2019-12 | $450 billion |
| 2019-11 | $449 billion |
| 2019-10 | $446 billion |
| 2019-09 | $445 billion |
| 2019-08 | $449 billion |
| 2019-07 | $445 billion |
| 2019-06 | $442 billion |
| 2019-05 | $443 billion |
| 2019-04 | $438 billion |
| 2019-03 | $438 billion |
| 2019-02 | $431 billion |
| 2019-01 | $430 billion |
| 2018-12 | $429 billion |
| 2018-11 | $439 billion |
| 2018-10 | $436 billion |
| 2018-09 | $431 billion |
| 2018-08 | $432 billion |
| 2018-07 | $432 billion |
| 2018-06 | $430 billion |
| 2018-05 | $432 billion |
| 2018-04 | $426 billion |
| 2018-03 | $425 billion |
| 2018-02 | $426 billion |
| 2018-01 | $423 billion |
| 2017-12 | $426 billion |
| 2017-11 | $423 billion |
| 2017-10 | $419 billion |
| 2017-09 | $419 billion |
| 2017-08 | $410 billion |
| 2017-07 | $409 billion |
| 2017-06 | $409 billion |
| 2017-05 | $407 billion |
| 2017-04 | $409 billion |
| 2017-03 | $408 billion |
| 2017-02 | $408 billion |
| 2017-01 | $408 billion |
| 2016-12 | $405 billion |
| 2016-11 | $399 billion |
| 2016-10 | $400 billion |
| 2016-09 | $399 billion |
| 2016-08 | $396 billion |
| 2016-07 | $397 billion |
| 2016-06 | $397 billion |
| 2016-05 | $392 billion |
| 2016-04 | $391 billion |
| 2016-03 | $389 billion |
| 2016-02 | $390 billion |
| 2016-01 | $387 billion |
| 2015-12 | $390 billion |
| 2015-11 | $389 billion |
| 2015-10 | $387 billion |
| 2015-09 | $389 billion |
| 2015-08 | $391 billion |
| 2015-07 | $391 billion |
| 2015-06 | $387 billion |
| 2015-05 | $387 billion |
| 2015-04 | $384 billion |
| 2015-03 | $384 billion |
| 2015-02 | $378 billion |
| 2015-01 | $379 billion |
| 2014-12 | $381 billion |
| 2014-11 | $384 billion |
| 2014-10 | $383 billion |
| 2014-09 | $382 billion |
| 2014-08 | $384 billion |
| 2014-07 | $381 billion |
| 2014-06 | $381 billion |
| 2014-05 | $380 billion |
| 2014-04 | $379 billion |
| 2014-03 | $375 billion |
| 2014-02 | $371 billion |
| 2014-01 | $367 billion |
| 2013-12 | $369 billion |
| 2013-11 | $367 billion |
| 2013-10 | $366 billion |
| 2013-09 | $366 billion |
| 2013-08 | $366 billion |
| 2013-07 | $366 billion |
| 2013-06 | $364 billion |
| 2013-05 | $363 billion |
| 2013-04 | $360 billion |
| 2013-03 | $362 billion |
| 2013-02 | $365 billion |
| 2013-01 | $360 billion |
| 2012-12 | $358 billion |
| 2012-11 | $356 billion |
| 2012-10 | $355 billion |
| 2012-09 | $355 billion |
| 2012-08 | $352 billion |
| 2012-07 | $347 billion |
| 2012-06 | $345 billion |
| 2012-05 | $349 billion |
| 2012-04 | $350 billion |
| 2012-03 | $352 billion |
| 2012-02 | $350 billion |
| 2012-01 | $346 billion |
| 2011-12 | $343 billion |
| 2011-11 | $342 billion |
| 2011-10 | $341 billion |
| 2011-09 | $339 billion |
| 2011-08 | $335 billion |
Last 15 years shown; published since 1992-01, all of it in the API. · Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Monthly Retail Trade Survey · Employer firms by kind of business, current dollars · Agency label: Retail Trade
Show the numbers
| Period | Value |
|---|---|
| 2026-Q1 | $1.99 trillion |
| 2025-Q4 | $1.96 trillion |
| 2025-Q3 | $1.94 trillion |
| 2025-Q2 | $1.91 trillion |
| 2025-Q1 | $1.88 trillion |
| 2024-Q4 | $1.86 trillion |
| 2024-Q3 | $1.87 trillion |
| 2024-Q2 | $1.84 trillion |
| 2024-Q1 | $1.83 trillion |
| 2023-Q4 | $1.82 trillion |
| 2023-Q3 | $1.80 trillion |
| 2023-Q2 | $1.75 trillion |
| 2023-Q1 | $1.74 trillion |
| 2022-Q4 | $1.71 trillion |
| 2022-Q3 | $1.66 trillion |
| 2022-Q2 | $1.63 trillion |
| 2022-Q1 | $1.60 trillion |
| 2021-Q4 | $1.59 trillion |
| 2021-Q3 | $1.53 trillion |
| 2021-Q2 | $1.55 trillion |
| 2021-Q1 | $1.48 trillion |
| 2020-Q4 | $1.40 trillion |
| 2020-Q3 | $1.43 trillion |
| 2020-Q2 | $1.23 trillion |
| 2020-Q1 | $1.29 trillion |
| 2019-Q4 | $1.30 trillion |
| 2019-Q3 | $1.30 trillion |
| 2019-Q2 | $1.27 trillion |
| 2019-Q1 | $1.25 trillion |
| 2018-Q4 | $1.23 trillion |
| 2018-Q3 | $1.23 trillion |
| 2018-Q2 | $1.22 trillion |
| 2018-Q1 | $1.21 trillion |
| 2017-Q4 | $1.20 trillion |
| 2017-Q3 | $1.19 trillion |
| 2017-Q2 | $1.17 trillion |
| 2017-Q1 | $1.16 trillion |
| 2016-Q4 | $1.15 trillion |
| 2016-Q3 | $1.14 trillion |
| 2016-Q2 | $1.13 trillion |
| 2016-Q1 | $1.12 trillion |
| 2015-Q4 | $1.10 trillion |
| 2015-Q3 | $1.10 trillion |
| 2015-Q2 | $1.07 trillion |
| 2015-Q1 | $1.06 trillion |
| 2014-Q4 | $1.04 trillion |
| 2014-Q3 | $1.03 trillion |
| 2014-Q2 | $1.01 trillion |
| 2014-Q1 | $988 billion |
| 2013-Q4 | $995 billion |
| 2013-Q3 | $986 billion |
| 2013-Q2 | $970 billion |
| 2013-Q1 | $967 billion |
| 2012-Q4 | $936 billion |
| 2012-Q3 | $927 billion |
| 2012-Q2 | $918 billion |
| 2012-Q1 | $913 billion |
| 2011-Q4 | $898 billion |
| 2011-Q3 | $884 billion |
| 2011-Q2 | $878 billion |
| 2011-Q1 | $874 billion |
| 2010-Q4 | $872 billion |
| 2010-Q3 | $867 billion |
| 2010-Q2 | $867 billion |
| 2010-Q1 | $848 billion |
| 2009-Q4 | $848 billion |
| 2009-Q3 | $825 billion |
| 2009-Q2 | $827 billion |
| 2009-Q1 | $829 billion |
| 2008-Q4 | $848 billion |
| 2008-Q3 | $859 billion |
| 2008-Q2 | $853 billion |
| 2008-Q1 | $846 billion |
| 2007-Q4 | $871 billion |
| 2007-Q3 | $868 billion |
| 2007-Q2 | $870 billion |
| 2007-Q1 | $869 billion |
| 2006-Q4 | $871 billion |
| 2006-Q3 | $873 billion |
| 2006-Q2 | $868 billion |
| 2006-Q1 | $867 billion |
| 2005-Q4 | $858 billion |
| 2005-Q3 | $846 billion |
| 2005-Q2 | $834 billion |
| 2005-Q1 | $824 billion |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, GDP by Industry · Current dollars · Agency label: Retail trade
NAICS 2022 from 2022-Q1
Show the numbers
| Period | Value | NAICS |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-Q1 | 15,083,085 | 2022 |
| 2025-Q4 | 15,731,152 | 2022 |
| 2025-Q3 | 15,259,562 | 2022 |
| 2025-Q2 | 15,370,527 | 2022 |
| 2025-Q1 | 15,275,414 | 2022 |
| 2024-Q4 | 15,862,812 | 2022 |
| 2024-Q3 | 15,369,834 | 2022 |
| 2024-Q2 | 15,485,063 | 2022 |
| 2024-Q1 | 15,336,175 | 2022 |
| 2023-Q4 | 15,946,398 | 2022 |
| 2023-Q3 | 15,414,027 | 2022 |
| 2023-Q2 | 15,547,970 | 2022 |
| 2023-Q1 | 15,350,530 | 2022 |
| 2022-Q4 | 15,954,649 | 2022 |
| 2022-Q3 | 15,369,007 | 2022 |
| 2022-Q2 | 15,419,466 | 2022 |
| 2022-Q1 | 15,316,443 | 2022 |
| 2021-Q4 | 16,027,980 | 2017 |
| 2021-Q3 | 15,196,048 | 2017 |
| 2021-Q2 | 15,299,282 | 2017 |
| 2021-Q1 | 15,065,463 | 2017 |
| 2020-Q4 | 15,649,781 | 2017 |
| 2020-Q3 | 14,815,310 | 2017 |
| 2020-Q2 | 14,306,824 | 2017 |
| 2020-Q1 | 15,257,954 | 2017 |
| 2019-Q4 | 16,150,660 | 2017 |
| 2019-Q3 | 15,409,511 | 2017 |
| 2019-Q2 | 15,556,564 | 2017 |
| 2019-Q1 | 15,400,404 | 2017 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages · Private-sector jobs in the third month of each quarter
Show the numbers
| Period | Value |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 16,046,207 |
| 2022 | 15,922,438 |
| 2021 | 15,530,630 |
| 2020 | 15,808,465 |
| 2019 | 15,693,290 |
| 2018 | 15,683,147 |
| 2017 | 15,705,808 |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns · Paid employees in the pay period including March 12
NAICS 2022 from 2022-Q1
Show the numbers
| Period | Value | NAICS |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-Q1 | 1,058,376 | 2022 |
| 2025-Q4 | 1,062,326 | 2022 |
| 2025-Q3 | 1,061,178 | 2022 |
| 2025-Q2 | 1,060,413 | 2022 |
| 2025-Q1 | 1,061,442 | 2022 |
| 2024-Q4 | 1,070,476 | 2022 |
| 2024-Q3 | 1,070,214 | 2022 |
| 2024-Q2 | 1,071,313 | 2022 |
| 2024-Q1 | 1,068,442 | 2022 |
| 2023-Q4 | 1,077,309 | 2022 |
| 2023-Q3 | 1,073,704 | 2022 |
| 2023-Q2 | 1,069,522 | 2022 |
| 2023-Q1 | 1,067,861 | 2022 |
| 2022-Q4 | 1,067,544 | 2022 |
| 2022-Q3 | 1,062,572 | 2022 |
| 2022-Q2 | 1,055,217 | 2022 |
| 2022-Q1 | 1,049,355 | 2022 |
| 2021-Q4 | 1,061,429 | 2017 |
| 2021-Q3 | 1,054,234 | 2017 |
| 2021-Q2 | 1,047,229 | 2017 |
| 2021-Q1 | 1,043,216 | 2017 |
| 2020-Q4 | 1,048,849 | 2017 |
| 2020-Q3 | 1,043,148 | 2017 |
| 2020-Q2 | 1,037,726 | 2017 |
| 2020-Q1 | 1,042,124 | 2017 |
| 2019-Q4 | 1,046,756 | 2017 |
| 2019-Q3 | 1,043,974 | 2017 |
| 2019-Q2 | 1,043,323 | 2017 |
| 2019-Q1 | 1,040,988 | 2017 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages · Private ownership
Show the numbers
| Period | Value |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 1,043,373 |
| 2022 | 1,045,890 |
| 2021 | 1,036,879 |
| 2020 | 1,036,821 |
| 2019 | 1,044,957 |
| 2018 | 1,050,175 |
| 2017 | 1,064,449 |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns
NAICS 2022 from 2022-Q1
Show the numbers
| Period | Value | NAICS |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-Q1 | $165 billion | 2022 |
| 2025-Q4 | $175 billion | 2022 |
| 2025-Q3 | $165 billion | 2022 |
| 2025-Q2 | $163 billion | 2022 |
| 2025-Q1 | $166 billion | 2022 |
| 2024-Q4 | $169 billion | 2022 |
| 2024-Q3 | $160 billion | 2022 |
| 2024-Q2 | $159 billion | 2022 |
| 2024-Q1 | $163 billion | 2022 |
| 2023-Q4 | $165 billion | 2022 |
| 2023-Q3 | $158 billion | 2022 |
| 2023-Q2 | $155 billion | 2022 |
| 2023-Q1 | $161 billion | 2022 |
| 2022-Q4 | $162 billion | 2022 |
| 2022-Q3 | $160 billion | 2022 |
| 2022-Q2 | $152 billion | 2022 |
| 2022-Q1 | $152 billion | 2022 |
| 2021-Q4 | $170 billion | 2017 |
| 2021-Q3 | $153 billion | 2017 |
| 2021-Q2 | $150 billion | 2017 |
| 2021-Q1 | $136 billion | 2017 |
| 2020-Q4 | $154 billion | 2017 |
| 2020-Q3 | $134 billion | 2017 |
| 2020-Q2 | $123 billion | 2017 |
| 2020-Q1 | $132 billion | 2017 |
| 2019-Q4 | $138 billion | 2017 |
| 2019-Q3 | $129 billion | 2017 |
| 2019-Q2 | $130 billion | 2017 |
| 2019-Q1 | $128 billion | 2017 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages · Private ownership
Show the numbers
| Period | Value |
|---|---|
| 2023 | $606 billion |
| 2022 | $584 billion |
| 2021 | $541 billion |
| 2020 | $485 billion |
| 2019 | $471 billion |
| 2018 | $457 billion |
| 2017 | $444 billion |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns
The ledger
Every published measure
| Measure | Source | Latest | Period | History |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Value added (GDP by industry)Current dollars | GDP by Industry | $1.92 trillion | 2025 | 1997–2025 · 29 published |
| Value added, seasonally adjusted annual rateCurrent dollars | GDP by Industry | $1.99 trillion | 2026-Q1 | 2005-Q1–2026-Q1 · 85 published |
| EmploymentPrivate-sector jobs in the third month of each quarter | Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages | 15,083,085 | 2026-Q1 | 2019-Q1–2026-Q1 · 29 published |
| EstablishmentsPrivate ownership | Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages | 1,058,376 | 2026-Q1 | 2019-Q1–2026-Q1 · 29 published |
| Total wages in the quarterPrivate ownership | Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages | $165 billion | 2026-Q1 | 2019-Q1–2026-Q1 · 29 published |
| Annual payroll | County Business Patterns | $606 billion | 2023 | 2017–2023 · 7 published |
| EmploymentPaid employees in the pay period including March 12 | County Business Patterns | 16,046,207 | 2023 | 2017–2023 · 7 published |
| Establishments | County Business Patterns | 1,043,373 | 2023 | 2017–2023 · 7 published |
| Annual payroll | Economic Census | $612 billion | 2022 | 2017–2022 · 2 published |
| EmploymentPaid employees in the pay period including March 12 | Economic Census | 17,077,240 | 2022 | 2017–2022 · 2 published |
| Establishments | Economic Census | 1,040,277 | 2022 | 2017–2022 · 2 published |
| Firms | Economic Census | 644,146 | 2022 | 2017–2022 · 2 published |
| Receipts (sales, shipments or revenue)All establishments, current dollars | Economic Census | $6.97 trillion | 2022 | 2017–2022 · 2 published |
| SalesEmployer firms by kind of business, current dollars | Monthly Retail Trade Survey | $677 billion | 2026-07 | 1992-01–2026-07 · 415 published |
| Sales, seasonally adjustedEmployer firms by kind of business, current dollars | Monthly Retail Trade Survey | $661 billion | 2026-07 | 1992-01–2026-07 · 415 published |
Breakdown
Industries within Retail Trade
| NAICS | Industry | Size | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 441 | Motor Vehicle and Parts Dealers | $1.60 trillionReceipts · 2022 · Economic Census | 2,015,1402026-Q1 · QCEW |
| 442 | Furniture and Home Furnishings Stores | $113 billionReceipts · 2017 · Economic Census | 409,5632023 · CBP |
| 443 | Electronics and Appliance Stores | $91.1 billionReceipts · 2017 · Economic Census | 196,5572023 · CBP |
| 444 | Building Material and Garden Equipment and Supplies Dealers | $549 billionReceipts · 2022 · Economic Census | 1,349,5472026-Q1 · QCEW |
| 445 | Food and Beverage Retailers | $972 billionReceipts · 2022 · Economic Census | 3,197,8292026-Q1 · QCEW |
| 446 | Health and Personal Care Stores | $319 billionReceipts · 2017 · Economic Census | 1,066,1422023 · CBP |
| 447 | Gasoline Stations | $475 billionReceipts · 2017 · Economic Census | 1,016,9602023 · CBP |
| 448 | Clothing and Clothing Accessories Stores | $255 billionReceipts · 2017 · Economic Census | 1,505,8222023 · CBP |
| 449 | Furniture, Home Furnishings, Electronics, and Appliance Retailers | $367 billionReceipts · 2022 · Economic Census | 740,1242026-Q1 · QCEW |
| 451 | Sporting Goods, Hobby, Musical Instrument, and Book Stores | $80.5 billionReceipts · 2017 · Economic Census | 471,7222023 · CBP |
| 452 | General Merchandise Stores | $690 billionReceipts · 2017 · Economic Census | 2,666,4632023 · CBP |
| 453 | Miscellaneous Store Retailers | $110 billionReceipts · 2017 · Economic Census | 831,5512023 · CBP |
| 454 | Nonstore Retailers | $579 billionReceipts · 2017 · Economic Census | 1,108,3652023 · CBP |
| 455 | General Merchandise Retailers | $1.29 trillionReceipts · 2022 · Economic Census | 3,179,1822026-Q1 · QCEW |
| 456 | Health and Personal Care Retailers | $655 billionReceipts · 2022 · Economic Census | 1,029,6232026-Q1 · QCEW |
| 457 | Gasoline Stations and Fuel Dealers | $765 billionReceipts · 2022 · Economic Census | 1,033,7982026-Q1 · QCEW |
| 458 | Clothing, Clothing Accessories, Shoe, and Jewelry Retailers | $399 billionReceipts · 2022 · Economic Census | 1,105,3602026-Q1 · QCEW |
| 459 | Sporting Goods, Hobby, Musical Instrument, Book, and Miscellaneous Retailers | $384 billionReceipts · 2022 · Economic Census | 1,432,4822026-Q1 · QCEW |
Sources
Where every number comes from
- GDP by Industry, U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. Quarterly and annual. Public domain (U.S. Government work). Terms.
- Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Quarterly. Public domain (U.S. Government work). Terms.
- County Business Patterns, U.S. Census Bureau. Annual. Public domain (U.S. Government work). Terms.
- Economic Census, U.S. Census Bureau. Every five years (2017, 2022). Public domain (U.S. Government work). Terms.
- Monthly Retail Trade Survey, U.S. Census Bureau. Monthly. Public domain (U.S. Government work). Terms.
Figures are in current dollars and are the agencies’ own, revised when they revise. Each program defines its universe differently (employer firms, private ownership, all establishments), so figures from different sources are not meant to add up. This page is not endorsed by the Census Bureau, BEA or BLS. The same data is in the Palanor API (/v1/industries) and the MCP (palanor_get_industry). All industries.