While nearly half a million Angelenos clock into retail jobs every day, making it a powerhouse that generates over $150 billion in annual sales, the true story of this vibrant industry is woven from the threads of its diverse workforce, shifting consumer habits, and ambitious digital future.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, the Los Angeles retail sector employed 482,300 workers, accounting for 9.8% of the county's total workforce with an average annual wage of $48,560.
- Retail occupations in Los Angeles saw a 2.1% year-over-year employment growth in Q4 2023, adding 10,200 jobs primarily in general merchandise stores.
- Women comprised 52.3% of the LA retail workforce in 2021, with Hispanic or Latino workers making up 48.7% of employees.
- Los Angeles County retail sales reached $152.4 billion in 2022, up 8.7% from 2021.
- Grocery retail sales in LA metro totaled $42.3 billion in 2023, 27.8% of total retail.
- E-commerce retail sales from LA-based sellers hit $28.6 billion in 2022.
- In 2023, Los Angeles had 28,450 retail establishments, with 42% in grocery trade.
- Downtown LA hosted 1,240 retail stores in 2022, down 8% from 2019.
- LA County shopping centers numbered 1,856 in 2023, totaling 210 million sq ft.
- Average annual consumer spending per capita on retail in LA was $14,820 in 2022.
- LA shoppers spent 28% of income on groceries in 2023 surveys.
- Online retail spending by LA residents hit $7,400 per household in 2023.
- LA retail sales projected to grow 4.8% annually through 2028, reaching $195B.
- E-commerce share of LA retail expected to hit 32% by 2027.
- LA retail vacancy rate was 7.2% in Q4 2023, projected to fall to 5.8% by 2025.
Los Angeles retail is thriving with strong employment, diverse workers, and robust sales growth.
Consumer Spending Patterns
- Average annual consumer spending per capita on retail in LA was $14,820 in 2022.
- LA shoppers spent 28% of income on groceries in 2023 surveys.
- Online retail spending by LA residents hit $7,400 per household in 2023.
- Impulse buying in LA retail averaged $42 per visit in 2022.
- LA luxury goods spending grew 15% to $2,100 per affluent household in 2023.
- Grocery spending frequency in LA: 2.8 trips/week per household 2023.
- LA apparel spending per capita was $1,280 annually in 2022.
- Average basket size in LA supermarkets: $68 in 2023.
- LA consumers allocated 12% of spending to electronics retail in 2023.
- Holiday retail spending in LA averaged $1,050 per shopper in 2023.
- LA thrift shopping expenditure: $320 per capita yearly in 2023.
- Dining out retail spend in LA: $2,450 per person 2022.
- LA beauty product purchases averaged $450 annually per woman in 2023.
- Pet retail spending in LA households: $1,200 average 2023.
- LA grocery organic spending share: 18% of total in 2023.
- Average LA mall visit spend: $92 in 2022.
- LA auto parts retail spend per owner: $680 yearly 2023.
- Kids' retail spending by LA parents: $950/child annually 2023.
- LA home decor spending surged to $1,100 per household in 2023.
- Alcohol retail purchases in LA: $520 per adult yearly 2022.
- LA sustainable product spending: 22% premium willingness in 2023.
- Pharmacy spending per LA senior: $1,890 annually 2023.
- LA ethnic food retail spend: $680 per multicultural household 2022.
- Fitness gear retail expenditure in LA: $420 per gym-goer 2023.
- LA book purchases averaged 15 titles per reader yearly 2023.
- Jewelry spending in LA: $380 per couple annually 2022.
- LA vape product spending: $240 per user in 2023.
Consumer Spending Patterns Interpretation
Los Angelenos, while seemingly living off avocado toast and good vibes, are actually meticulous retail alchemists, expertly blending the essential ($68 groceries, twice-daily) with the extravagant ($92 mall trips, $42 impulses) and the virtuous ($320 thrifting, a 22% green premium) to sustain their unique ecosystem of consumption.
Employment and Workforce
- In 2022, the Los Angeles retail sector employed 482,300 workers, accounting for 9.8% of the county's total workforce with an average annual wage of $48,560.
- Retail occupations in Los Angeles saw a 2.1% year-over-year employment growth in Q4 2023, adding 10,200 jobs primarily in general merchandise stores.
- Women comprised 52.3% of the LA retail workforce in 2021, with Hispanic or Latino workers making up 48.7% of employees.
- The average hourly wage for retail salespersons in Los Angeles metro area was $17.45 in May 2023, 15% above the national average.
- In 2020, retail trade in LA County had a labor force participation rate of 62.4% among workers aged 16-64.
- First-line supervisors in LA retail earned a mean annual salary of $52,340 in 2022, with 15,600 such positions filled.
- Unemployment rate in LA retail sector was 5.8% in 2023, down from 12.4% in 2020 due to pandemic recovery.
- 28.5% of LA retail workers were part-time in 2022, higher than the national retail average of 25.2%.
- Cashiers in Los Angeles numbered 67,400 in 2023, with median hourly pay of $16.20.
- Retail stockers and order fillers grew by 4.3% in LA from 2021-2023, reaching 42,100 jobs.
- LA retail management positions totaled 38,200 in 2022, with average tenure of 4.7 years.
- Union membership in LA retail was 4.2% in 2023, concentrated in grocery chains.
- Customer service reps in retail LA earned $19.75/hour median in 2023.
- Retail employment density in LA was 1,240 jobs per square mile in urban core areas in 2022.
- Turnover rate in LA retail averaged 62% annually in 2022, highest among service sectors.
- LA retail workforce aged 25-34 comprised 31.6% in 2021 census data.
- Security guards in LA retail totaled 12,500 in 2023, wage $18.90/hour average.
- Remote work adoption in LA retail admin roles was only 3.2% post-2022.
- LA retail apprenticeships trained 2,800 workers in 2023 via city programs.
- Disability employment rate in LA retail was 4.1% in 2022.
- LA retail saw 7,400 net job gains in e-commerce fulfillment in 2021-2023.
- Median age of LA retail workers was 36.2 years in 2023.
- Veteran employment in LA retail stood at 3.8% of workforce in 2022.
- Overtime hours in LA retail averaged 2.4 hours/week per full-time worker in 2023.
- LA retail workforce diversity: 22.4% Asian, 11.6% Black in 2021.
- Entry-level retail jobs in LA had 18.2% vacancy rate in Q3 2023.
- LA retail training hours averaged 28 per employee annually in 2022.
- Gig economy retail delivery drivers in LA numbered 15,200 in 2023.
- LA retail executives averaged 12.6 years experience in 2023 surveys.
- Seasonal hiring in LA retail peaked at 45,000 jobs during 2023 holidays.
Employment and Workforce Interpretation
Despite employing nearly half a million Angelenos as the county's second-largest job sector, the LA retail landscape is a study in contrasts: it's a vital engine of diverse, youthful employment paying above national wages, yet it’s also defined by precarious part-time work, rampant turnover, and a glaring lack of remote options, proving it’s an industry of resilient opportunity that still has a long checkout line of systemic issues to address.
Growth, Challenges, Projections
- LA retail sales projected to grow 4.8% annually through 2028, reaching $195B.
- E-commerce share of LA retail expected to hit 32% by 2027.
- LA retail vacancy rate was 7.2% in Q4 2023, projected to fall to 5.8% by 2025.
- Sustainability initiatives boosted LA retail growth by 6.1% in green stores 2023.
- LA omnichannel retail adoption projected to increase sales 15% by 2026.
- Theft losses in LA retail hit $4.7B in 2023, challenging profitability.
- LA retail tech investments to reach $2.1B by 2025 for AI analytics.
- Experiential retail in LA expected to grow 22% annually to 2028.
- LA grocery retail consolidation projected to reduce independents by 12% by 2027.
- Tourism-driven retail sales in LA forecasted at $18B in 2025.
- LA pop-up retail market to expand 18% YoY through 2026.
- Supply chain disruptions cost LA retail $1.2B in delays 2023.
- LA luxury retail projected CAGR of 7.2% to 2030.
- Adaptive reuse of retail spaces in LA to add 5M sq ft by 2027.
- LA retail rent growth forecasted at 3.4% annually 2024-2028.
- Contactless payment adoption in LA retail at 68%, to 85% by 2026.
- LA ethnic retail segment growth projected 9% annually to 2028.
- Inflation impacted LA retail margins by 2.8% decline in 2023.
- Ghost kitchens in LA retail food to multiply 3x by 2027.
- LA retail workforce automation to displace 8% jobs by 2030.
- Social commerce sales in LA projected $5.2B by 2025.
- LA mall redevelopment to create 12,000 jobs by 2028.
- Cybersecurity threats cost LA retailers $890M in 2023 breaches.
- BNPL services usage in LA retail to reach 42% by 2027.
- LA resale market growth 21% CAGR to $3.5B by 2028.
- Extreme weather events projected to disrupt LA retail 5 days/year by 2030.
- Voice commerce in LA retail expected $1.8B sales by 2026.
- LA retail export sales via platforms to grow 14% YoY to 2028.
- Pandemic recovery led to 11% sales rebound in LA retail 2023.
- AR/VR retail experiences in LA to boost conversion 30% by 2027.
Growth, Challenges, Projections Interpretation
Los Angeles retail is a thrilling, high-stakes race where stores are furiously innovating with tech and experiences to outrun a pack of problems like theft and inflation, all while trying to keep their physical doors open in a city that still loves to shop.
Retail Establishments and Locations
- In 2023, Los Angeles had 28,450 retail establishments, with 42% in grocery trade.
- Downtown LA hosted 1,240 retail stores in 2022, down 8% from 2019.
- LA County shopping centers numbered 1,856 in 2023, totaling 210 million sq ft.
- Fashion District LA had 4,200 wholesale-retail businesses in 2023.
- Standalone retail stores in LA suburbs grew to 9,200 in 2022.
- LA had 2,340 supermarkets and grocery stores in 2023.
- Strip mall retail outlets in LA totaled 5,670 in 2023.
- High-end retail in Beverly Hills featured 180 luxury boutiques in 2023.
- LA pop-up retail shops operated 450 locations in 2023 peak season.
- Outlet malls around LA had 1,200 stores across 4 major centers in 2023.
- LA ethnic markets numbered 1,100, serving diverse communities in 2022.
- Convenience stores in LA totaled 3,450 in 2023, mostly independent.
- LA big-box retailers like Walmart and Target operated 89 stores in 2023.
- Farmers markets in LA County had 1,200 vendor stalls weekly in 2023.
- LA pharmacy chains had 1,560 locations in 2022.
- Neighborhood retail corridors in LA featured 7,200 small shops in 2023.
- LA closed 420 retail stores in 2023 due to bankruptcies and shifts.
- Premium retail plazas in West LA totaled 320 outlets in 2023.
- LA dollar stores expanded to 890 locations by 2023.
- Artisan retail shops in LA arts districts numbered 650 in 2022.
- LA auto dealerships stood at 1,120 in 2023.
- Flea markets in LA hosted 2,500 vendor spots weekly in 2023.
- LA home improvement centers totaled 240 in 2023.
- Electronics specialty stores in LA: 780 in 2022.
- LA wine and spirits retailers numbered 1,450 in 2023.
- Bookstores in LA totaled 320 independent ones in 2023.
- LA vape and tobacco shops reached 950 in 2023.
Retail Establishments and Locations Interpretation
Despite a dynamic shift towards suburban sprawl, luxury indulgence, and pop-up spontaneity, Los Angeles’ retail heart still beats strongest in the everyday aisles of groceries and strip malls, proving that while trends may flicker, the city’s fundamental appetite remains reliably constant.
Sales and Revenue
- Los Angeles County retail sales reached $152.4 billion in 2022, up 8.7% from 2021.
- Grocery retail sales in LA metro totaled $42.3 billion in 2023, 27.8% of total retail.
- E-commerce retail sales from LA-based sellers hit $28.6 billion in 2022.
- Apparel retail revenue in LA was $18.9 billion in 2023, driven by fashion district.
- LA County taxable retail sales grew 6.2% YoY to $165.7 billion in Q1 2024.
- General merchandise stores generated $22.4 billion in LA sales in 2022.
- Food service retail sales in LA reached $15.8 billion in 2023.
- LA luxury retail sales surged 12.4% to $9.2 billion in 2023.
- Health and personal care retail sales in LA totaled $13.1 billion in 2022.
- LA automotive retail sales volume was $24.7 billion in 2023.
- Building materials retail revenue in LA hit $11.5 billion in 2023 post-pandemic.
- Electronics retail sales in LA grew to $10.9 billion in 2022.
- LA furniture and home furnishings sales reached $8.4 billion in 2023.
- Sporting goods retail in LA generated $4.2 billion in sales 2023.
- LA bookstore sales totaled $1.1 billion in 2022, with indie shops up 5%.
- Gas station retail sales in LA were $7.6 billion in 2023.
- LA thrift and second-hand retail sales hit $2.3 billion in 2023.
- Online grocery sales from LA retailers reached $6.8 billion in 2022.
- LA mall-based retail sales declined 3.1% to $12.5 billion in 2023.
- Beauty product retail sales in LA totaled $5.7 billion in 2023.
- LA toy store sales peaked at $1.4 billion during 2023 holidays.
- Office supply retail revenue in LA was $2.1 billion in 2022.
- LA jewelry retail sales reached $3.9 billion in 2023.
- Pet supply retail sales in LA grew to $1.8 billion in 2023.
- LA shoe retail sales totaled $4.6 billion in 2022.
- Hardware store sales in LA hit $3.2 billion in 2023.
- LA retail sales tax revenue for city was $1.2 billion in FY2023.
Sales and Revenue Interpretation
Los Angeles is a retail juggernaut where people are simultaneously splurging on luxury goods and groceries online, proving that whether it's a five-dollar latte or a five-figure handbag, the city's real religion is commerce.
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