Atlanta’s retail sales reached $45.2 billion in the first quarter of 2024. This growth masks a clear divide between high-performing categories and those in decline.
Key Takeaways
- Atlanta retail employment averaged 214,500 jobs in 2023, up 1.8% year-over-year.
- In 2022, Atlanta's retail sales totaled $42.5 billion, marking a 4.2% increase from 2021 driven by post-pandemic recovery.
- Number of supermarkets in Atlanta metro area was 1,250 in 2023.
- Total retail sales in Atlanta reached $45.2 billion in Q1 2024.
- Atlanta's omnichannel retail penetration reached 68% of total sales in 2023.
Atlanta’s retail sector is thriving, with strong sales growth and steady consumer demand driving momentum.
Related reading
01 · Category
Employment Data20 stats
01
Atlanta retail employment averaged 214,500 jobs in 2023, up 1.8% year-over-year.
02
Retail occupations in Atlanta MSA had 185,200 filled positions in May 2023, with median hourly wage of $15.42.
03
Women comprised 52.3% of Atlanta's retail workforce in 2022.
04
Average retail manager salary in Atlanta was $68,450annually in 2023.
05
Retail salespersons employment in Atlanta grew by 3.1% from 2022 to 2023.
06
15.2% of Atlanta retail workers were part-time in 2023.
07
Unemployment rate in Atlanta retail sector was 4.1% in Q3 2023.
08
Cashiers in Atlanta earned average $14.28per hour in 2023.
09
Retail stockers and order fillers numbered 28,400 in Atlanta MSA 2023.
10
Turnover rate in Atlanta retail was 45.6% annually in 2022.
11
Retail trade employment in Atlanta MSA: 212,300 in 2022 average.
12
First-line supervisors in retail Atlanta: 18,900 jobs, $22.15/hr median 2023.
13
Black workers made up 38.4% of Atlanta retail employees 2023.
14
Customer service reps in retail Atlanta: avg salary $41,200/yr 2023.
15
Retail clerks employment up 2.7% in Atlanta 2023.
16
22% of Atlanta retail jobs required high school diploma only 2023.
17
Retail unemployment claims in Atlanta fell 15% in 2023.
18
Retail meat cutters wage: $17.89/hr avg in Atlanta 2023.
19
Personal care aides in retail beauty: 4,500 jobs Atlanta 2023.
20
Seasonal retail hiring peaked at 35,000 in Atlanta Q4 2023.
Interpretation
Employment Data Interpretation
In Atlanta’s retail employment, jobs rose to an average of 214,500 in 2023, and a growing share of the workforce is reflected in employment gains like retail salespersons up 3.1% from 2022 to 2023, all pointing to steady expansion within the Employment Data picture.
02 · Category
Market Overview19 stats
01
In 2022, Atlanta's retail sales totaled $42.5 billion, marking a 4.2% increase from 2021 driven by post-pandemic recovery.
02
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.
03
Atlanta's retail sector saw a 15% growth in e-commerce sales from 2020 to 2022, reaching $6.8 billion annually.
04
As of 2023, there were 12,450 retail establishments in the Atlanta metro area, a 2.1% rise from 2022.
05
Atlanta retail market vacancy rate stood at 4.8% in Q4 2023, down from 7.2% in 2021.
06
The average annual sales per retail square foot in Atlanta was $512in 2022.
07
Atlanta's retail industry attracted $1.2 billion in foreign direct investment in 2022.
08
Retail construction spending in Atlanta metro reached $890 million in 2023.
09
Atlanta's share of Georgia's total retail sales was 28.4% in 2022.
10
The retail sector in Atlanta contributed $2.4 billion in state and local taxes in 2022.
11
Atlanta retail sales totaled $42.3 billion in 2021, with 3.8% YoY growth.
12
Retail sector represented 11.1% of Atlanta MSA private employment in 2022.
13
Atlanta's power centers averaged 95% occupancy in 2023.
14
Total retail square footage in Atlanta metro: 520 million sq ft in 2023.
15
Atlanta retail NNN asking rents averaged $22.50psf in Q4 2023.
16
Retail bankruptcies in Atlanta dropped 22% in 2023 vs 2022.
17
Atlanta's outlet malls generated $1.8 billion in sales 2023.
18
Retail tourism contributed $3.2 billion to Atlanta economy in 2023.
19
Atlanta retail market cap rates averaged 6.8% in 2023.
Interpretation
Market Overview Interpretation
Atlanta’s retail market is showing a steady recovery with 2022 retail sales rising to $42.5 billion, a 4.2% gain, while vacancy tightened to 4.8% in Q4 2023, reinforcing that the market overview outlook is strengthening on both consumer spending and space demand.
03 · Category
Retail Segments19 stats
01
Number of supermarkets in Atlanta metro area was 1,250 in 2023.
02
Convenience stores in Atlanta totaled 2,840 outlets in 2023, generating $5.6 billion.
03
Apparel and clothing stores numbered 1,120 in Atlanta MSA 2023.
04
Shopping centers in Atlanta metro spanned 45 million sq ft in 2023.
05
Big-box retailers like Walmart operated 78 stores in Atlanta area 2023.
06
Independent specialty retail stores in Atlanta: 3,200 in 2023.
07
Grocery chains Publix and Kroger held 42% market share in Atlanta 2023.
08
Electronics retailers like Best Buy had 22 locations in metro Atlanta 2023.
09
Home improvement stores (Home Depot HQ) totaled 65 in Atlanta area 2023.
10
Drug stores like CVS and Walgreens operated 450 outlets in Atlanta 2023.
11
Beer, wine, liquor stores: 1,100 outlets Atlanta 2023.
12
Department stores: 45 locations in metro Atlanta 2023.
13
Discount department stores like Target: 52 stores Atlanta 2023.
14
Premium outlet centers: 3 major in Atlanta suburbs 2023.
15
Ethnic grocery stores: 320 in Atlanta MSA 2023.
16
Mall-based retailers: 4,200 tenants in Atlanta malls 2023.
17
Warehouse clubs like Costco: 12 locations Atlanta 2023.
18
Pet stores: 280 outlets in metro Atlanta 2023.
19
Toy and hobby stores: 210 in Atlanta 2023.
Interpretation
Retail Segments Interpretation
Atlanta’s retail ecosystem is broad and diversified, with 1,250 supermarkets, 1,120 apparel and clothing stores, and 3,200 independent specialty retailers in 2023 alongside 45 million sq ft of shopping centers, signaling strong demand across both everyday essentials and destination shopping.
More related reading
04 · Category
Sales Performance19 stats
01
Total retail sales in Atlanta reached $45.2 billion in Q1 2024.
02
Grocery store sales in Atlanta metro grew 5.8% YoY to $12.3 billion in 2023.
03
Apparel retail sales in Atlanta surged 12.4% in holiday 2023 season.
04
General merchandise stores sales hit $8.1 billion in Atlanta 2023.
05
Atlanta luxury retail sales increased 7.9% to $2.4 billion in 2023.
06
Food and beverage store sales per capita in Atlanta was $4,210in 2022.
07
Electronics and appliance sales declined 2.1% in Atlanta 2023.
08
Health and personal care sales rose 6.7% to $3.9 billion in Atlanta 2023.
09
Sporting goods sales in Atlanta jumped 9.2% YoY in 2023.
10
Furniture and home furnishings sales totaled $4.2 billion in Atlanta 2023.
11
Building material sales in Atlanta: $2.9 billion 2023.
12
Gasoline stations sales $7.4 billion in Atlanta metro 2023.
13
Bookstores and news dealers sales up 4.5% to $420 million Atlanta 2023.
14
Florists sales totaled $285 million in Atlanta 2023.
15
Motor vehicle dealers sales $15.6 billion Atlanta 2023.
16
Miscellaneous store retailers sales $1.7 billion Atlanta 2023.
17
Nonstore retailers sales exploded 22% to $7.9 billion Atlanta 2023.
18
Office supplies sales $890 million Atlanta 2023.
19
Used merchandise stores sales $650 million Atlanta 2023.
Interpretation
Sales Performance Interpretation
Atlanta’s sales performance is showing broad strength as total Q1 2024 retail reached $45.2 billion and key categories are outperforming, including apparel sales up 12.4% in the 2023 holiday season.
05 · Category
Trends And Projections19 stats
01
Atlanta's omnichannel retail penetration reached 68% of total sales in 2023.
02
E-commerce share of Atlanta retail sales projected to hit 25% by 2027.
03
Sustainability initiatives adopted by 72% of Atlanta retailers in 2023.
04
Contactless payment usage in Atlanta retail soared to 89% in 2023.
05
Retail automation investments in Atlanta totaled $450 million in 2023.
06
Experiential retail spaces grew 18% in Atlanta malls by 2024 projection.
07
Atlanta retail projected to add 12,000 jobs by 2028.
08
Ghost kitchens in Atlanta retail foodservice up 35% since 2022.
09
Retail media networks revenue in Atlanta expected to reach $1.1 billion by 2025.
10
AI-driven personalization used by 55% Atlanta retailers 2024.
11
Buy-online-pickup-in-store (BOPIS) at 42% of sales Atlanta 2023.
12
Retail crime losses in Atlanta: $1.2 billion estimated 2023.
13
Pop-up shops increased 28% in Atlanta 2023.
14
Social commerce sales projected $2.5 billion Atlanta by 2026.
15
Zero-waste retail initiatives in 31% of Atlanta stores 2023.
16
Retail analytics software adoption: 76% Atlanta 2023.
17
Curbside pickup accounted for 35% grocery sales Atlanta 2023.
18
Metaverse retail experiments by 12 Atlanta brands 2023.
19
Retail sales growth forecast 3.5% annually for Atlanta to 2028.
Interpretation
Trends And Projections Interpretation
Atlanta’s Trends And Projections data show that digital and innovation-led retail is accelerating fast, with omnichannel reaching 68% of sales in 2023 and e-commerce expected to climb to 25% by 2027 as contactless payments hit 89% and automation investment tops $450 million.
report visual · Key figures
Atlanta retail jobs are rising—while key workforce shares reflect a changing mix
Atlanta’s retail employment increased year-over-year, with demographic and scheduling shares highlighting how the workforce is evolving.
1.8%
Atlanta retail employment averaged 214,500 jobs in 2023, up 1.8% year-over-year.
52.3%
Women comprised 52.3% of Atlanta's retail workforce in 2022.
15.2%
15.2% of Atlanta retail workers were part-time in 2023.
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Emilia Santos. (2026, February 13). Atlanta Retail Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/atlanta-retail-industry-statistics
MLA
Emilia Santos. "Atlanta Retail Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/atlanta-retail-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Emilia Santos. 2026. "Atlanta Retail Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/atlanta-retail-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
62 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level