Once seen as a fading industry, brick-and-mortar retail is showing real momentum. Despite years of pressure from e-commerce, economic downturns, and the pandemic, in-person shopping is trending upward—and in some parts of the country, new retail businesses are opening at their fastest pace in years.
A new analysis spotlights the U.S. cities and states where physical retail businesses are growing, and the locations still struggling to keep up.
Key Takeaways, With Data for New York State
- Retail’s Long Decline—and Rapid Rebound: Over the last 20 years, the growth in total retail establishments (+4.8%) has fallen far behind overall business growth (+49.4%). But post-pandemic, the sector has seen its strongest gains in decades, adding over 38,000 stores and over 870,000 workers.
- America’s Most Popular Retail Categories: Sporting goods, hobby, book, and music stores top the list with 190,490 locations, though they employ just 1.49 million workers. Food and beverage stores (161,346 locations, 3.21 million employees) also make up a large share of the retail landscape.
- Regions With the Strongest Retail Growth: States in the Southeast and West lead for retail establishment growth from 2020 to 2024, largely driven by population gains and favorable business climates. Conversely, several states in the Northeast and Midwest have seen retail decline, likely due to higher operating costs, population shifts, and competition from e-commerce.
- How Retail Has Fared in New York State: Between 2020 and 2024, New York State lost 2,941 retail establishments—a decrease of 4.1%. However, retail employment increased by 41,999 workers (+5.3%) during that span.
The full report covers 375 U.S. metros and all 50 states, with a detailed breakdown of retail growth rates, total establishments and employment, and how those figures have changed since 2020.