Atlanta's retail scene isn't just bouncing back; it's booming and innovating, with $45.2 billion in sales kicking off 2024 as post-pandemic recovery fuels everything from a surge in e-commerce to experiential shopping spaces.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, Atlanta's retail sales totaled $42.5 billion, marking a 4.2% increase from 2021 driven by post-pandemic recovery.
- The Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Alpharetta MSA retail trade GDP contribution was $18.7 billion in 2021, accounting for 8.9% of the metro area's total GDP.
- Atlanta's retail sector saw a 15% growth in e-commerce sales from 2020 to 2022, reaching $6.8 billion annually.
- Atlanta retail employment averaged 214,500 jobs in 2023, up 1.8% year-over-year.
- Retail occupations in Atlanta MSA had 185,200 filled positions in May 2023, with median hourly wage of $15.42.
- Women comprised 52.3% of Atlanta's retail workforce in 2022.
- Total retail sales in Atlanta reached $45.2 billion in Q1 2024.
- Grocery store sales in Atlanta metro grew 5.8% YoY to $12.3 billion in 2023.
- Apparel retail sales in Atlanta surged 12.4% in holiday 2023 season.
- Number of supermarkets in Atlanta metro area was 1,250 in 2023.
- Convenience stores in Atlanta totaled 2,840 outlets in 2023, generating $5.6 billion.
- Apparel and clothing stores numbered 1,120 in Atlanta MSA 2023.
- Atlanta's omnichannel retail penetration reached 68% of total sales in 2023.
- E-commerce share of Atlanta retail sales projected to hit 25% by 2027.
- Sustainability initiatives adopted by 72% of Atlanta retailers in 2023.
Atlanta's retail industry is experiencing strong post-pandemic growth across all major metrics.
Employment Data
1Atlanta retail employment averaged 214,500 jobs in 2023, up 1.8% year-over-year.
Verified2Retail occupations in Atlanta MSA had 185,200 filled positions in May 2023, with median hourly wage of $15.42.
Verified3Women comprised 52.3% of Atlanta's retail workforce in 2022.
Verified4Average retail manager salary in Atlanta was $68,450 annually in 2023.
Directional5Retail salespersons employment in Atlanta grew by 3.1% from 2022 to 2023.
Single source615.2% of Atlanta retail workers were part-time in 2023.
Verified7Unemployment rate in Atlanta retail sector was 4.1% in Q3 2023.
Verified8Cashiers in Atlanta earned average $14.28 per hour in 2023.
Verified9Retail stockers and order fillers numbered 28,400 in Atlanta MSA 2023.
Directional10Turnover rate in Atlanta retail was 45.6% annually in 2022.
Single source11Retail trade employment in Atlanta MSA: 212,300 in 2022 average.
Verified12First-line supervisors in retail Atlanta: 18,900 jobs, $22.15/hr median 2023.
Verified13Black workers made up 38.4% of Atlanta retail employees 2023.
Verified14Customer service reps in retail Atlanta: avg salary $41,200/yr 2023.
Directional15Retail clerks employment up 2.7% in Atlanta 2023.
Single source1622% of Atlanta retail jobs required high school diploma only 2023.
Verified17Retail unemployment claims in Atlanta fell 15% in 2023.
Verified18Retail meat cutters wage: $17.89/hr avg in Atlanta 2023.
Verified19Personal care aides in retail beauty: 4,500 jobs Atlanta 2023.
Directional20Seasonal retail hiring peaked at 35,000 in Atlanta Q4 2023.
Single sourceEmployment Data Interpretation
Atlanta's retail sector, while steadily adding jobs and seeing unemployment claims fall, is a study in contrasts: it's propped up by a part-time, predominantly female workforce with a notoriously high turnover rate, all while managers and specialists manage to carve out a decent living amidst the churn.
Market Overview
1In 2022, Atlanta's retail sales totaled $42.5 billion, marking a 4.2% increase from 2021 driven by post-pandemic recovery.
Verified2The Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Alpharetta MSA retail trade GDP contribution was $18.7 billion in 2021, accounting for 8.9% of the metro area's total GDP.
Verified3Atlanta's retail sector saw a 15% growth in e-commerce sales from 2020 to 2022, reaching $6.8 billion annually.
Verified4As of 2023, there were 12,450 retail establishments in the Atlanta metro area, a 2.1% rise from 2022.
Directional5Atlanta retail market vacancy rate stood at 4.8% in Q4 2023, down from 7.2% in 2021.
Single source6The average annual sales per retail square foot in Atlanta was $512 in 2022.
Verified7Atlanta's retail industry attracted $1.2 billion in foreign direct investment in 2022.
Verified8Retail construction spending in Atlanta metro reached $890 million in 2023.
Verified9Atlanta's share of Georgia's total retail sales was 28.4% in 2022.
Directional10The retail sector in Atlanta contributed $2.4 billion in state and local taxes in 2022.
Single source11Atlanta retail sales totaled $42.3 billion in 2021, with 3.8% YoY growth.
Verified12Retail sector represented 11.1% of Atlanta MSA private employment in 2022.
Verified13Atlanta's power centers averaged 95% occupancy in 2023.
Verified14Total retail square footage in Atlanta metro: 520 million sq ft in 2023.
Directional15Atlanta retail NNN asking rents averaged $22.50 psf in Q4 2023.
Single source16Retail bankruptcies in Atlanta dropped 22% in 2023 vs 2022.
Verified17Atlanta's outlet malls generated $1.8 billion in sales 2023.
Verified18Retail tourism contributed $3.2 billion to Atlanta economy in 2023.
Verified19Atlanta retail market cap rates averaged 6.8% in 2023.
DirectionalMarket Overview Interpretation
Atlanta’s retail sector is thriving with such vigor that its stores are practically bursting at the seams, pulling in billions in sales and investment while stubbornly refusing to vacate its premises, all because the city has masterfully blended a brick-and-mortar resurgence with a digital shopping spree.
Retail Segments
1Number of supermarkets in Atlanta metro area was 1,250 in 2023.
Verified2Convenience stores in Atlanta totaled 2,840 outlets in 2023, generating $5.6 billion.
Verified3Apparel and clothing stores numbered 1,120 in Atlanta MSA 2023.
Verified4Shopping centers in Atlanta metro spanned 45 million sq ft in 2023.
Directional5Big-box retailers like Walmart operated 78 stores in Atlanta area 2023.
Single source6Independent specialty retail stores in Atlanta: 3,200 in 2023.
Verified7Grocery chains Publix and Kroger held 42% market share in Atlanta 2023.
Verified8Electronics retailers like Best Buy had 22 locations in metro Atlanta 2023.
Verified9Home improvement stores (Home Depot HQ) totaled 65 in Atlanta area 2023.
Directional10Drug stores like CVS and Walgreens operated 450 outlets in Atlanta 2023.
Single source11Beer, wine, liquor stores: 1,100 outlets Atlanta 2023.
Verified12Department stores: 45 locations in metro Atlanta 2023.
Verified13Discount department stores like Target: 52 stores Atlanta 2023.
Verified14Premium outlet centers: 3 major in Atlanta suburbs 2023.
Directional15Ethnic grocery stores: 320 in Atlanta MSA 2023.
Single source16Mall-based retailers: 4,200 tenants in Atlanta malls 2023.
Verified17Warehouse clubs like Costco: 12 locations Atlanta 2023.
Verified18Pet stores: 280 outlets in metro Atlanta 2023.
Verified19Toy and hobby stores: 210 in Atlanta 2023.
DirectionalRetail Segments Interpretation
Atlanta’s retail landscape reveals a populace meticulously segmented, where one can buy a gallon of milk, a power tool, a cocktail dress, and a bag of kibble all within a few million square feet, yet still feel oddly bereft of a genuine department store.
Sales Performance
1Total retail sales in Atlanta reached $45.2 billion in Q1 2024.
Verified2Grocery store sales in Atlanta metro grew 5.8% YoY to $12.3 billion in 2023.
Verified3Apparel retail sales in Atlanta surged 12.4% in holiday 2023 season.
Verified4General merchandise stores sales hit $8.1 billion in Atlanta 2023.
Directional5Atlanta luxury retail sales increased 7.9% to $2.4 billion in 2023.
Single source6Food and beverage store sales per capita in Atlanta was $4,210 in 2022.
Verified7Electronics and appliance sales declined 2.1% in Atlanta 2023.
Verified8Health and personal care sales rose 6.7% to $3.9 billion in Atlanta 2023.
Verified9Sporting goods sales in Atlanta jumped 9.2% YoY in 2023.
Directional10Furniture and home furnishings sales totaled $4.2 billion in Atlanta 2023.
Single source11Building material sales in Atlanta: $2.9 billion 2023.
Verified12Gasoline stations sales $7.4 billion in Atlanta metro 2023.
Verified13Bookstores and news dealers sales up 4.5% to $420 million Atlanta 2023.
Verified14Florists sales totaled $285 million in Atlanta 2023.
Directional15Motor vehicle dealers sales $15.6 billion Atlanta 2023.
Single source16Miscellaneous store retailers sales $1.7 billion Atlanta 2023.
Verified17Nonstore retailers sales exploded 22% to $7.9 billion Atlanta 2023.
Verified18Office supplies sales $890 million Atlanta 2023.
Verified19Used merchandise stores sales $650 million Atlanta 2023.
DirectionalSales Performance Interpretation
While Atlantans are clearly dressing up and dining out (as evidenced by surging apparel, luxury, and grocery sales), the true fashion statement of 2023 was staying in comfy clothes and shopping from the couch, where nonstore retailers saw explosive growth as electronics sales sadly gathered dust.
Trends and Projections
1Atlanta's omnichannel retail penetration reached 68% of total sales in 2023.
Verified2E-commerce share of Atlanta retail sales projected to hit 25% by 2027.
Verified3Sustainability initiatives adopted by 72% of Atlanta retailers in 2023.
Verified4Contactless payment usage in Atlanta retail soared to 89% in 2023.
Directional5Retail automation investments in Atlanta totaled $450 million in 2023.
Single source6Experiential retail spaces grew 18% in Atlanta malls by 2024 projection.
Verified7Atlanta retail projected to add 12,000 jobs by 2028.
Verified8Ghost kitchens in Atlanta retail foodservice up 35% since 2022.
Verified9Retail media networks revenue in Atlanta expected to reach $1.1 billion by 2025.
Directional10AI-driven personalization used by 55% Atlanta retailers 2024.
Single source11Buy-online-pickup-in-store (BOPIS) at 42% of sales Atlanta 2023.
Verified12Retail crime losses in Atlanta: $1.2 billion estimated 2023.
Verified13Pop-up shops increased 28% in Atlanta 2023.
Verified14Social commerce sales projected $2.5 billion Atlanta by 2026.
Directional15Zero-waste retail initiatives in 31% of Atlanta stores 2023.
Single source16Retail analytics software adoption: 76% Atlanta 2023.
Verified17Curbside pickup accounted for 35% grocery sales Atlanta 2023.
Verified18Metaverse retail experiments by 12 Atlanta brands 2023.
Verified19Retail sales growth forecast 3.5% annually for Atlanta to 2028.
DirectionalTrends and Projections Interpretation
Atlanta's retail scene is betting big on a digital and sustainable future, rapidly embracing everything from AI to ghost kitchens, yet it remains anchored by the stubborn persistence of crime and the human craving for experience.
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