In the vibrant heart of the Pacific Northwest, Portland's retail sector is a powerhouse, generating over $12.4 billion in sales fueled by everything from iconic apparel stores to a booming e-commerce scene and dedicated local shoppers.
Key Takeaways
- Portland's retail trade sector generated $12.4 billion in total sales in 2022, up 5.2% from the previous year.
- Apparel stores in Portland contributed $1.8 billion to retail sales in 2021, representing 14.5% of total retail sales.
- Food and beverage stores accounted for $3.7 billion in Portland retail sales during 2022.
- Portland retail employment stood at 45,200 jobs in 2022, comprising 12% of total employment.
- Average hourly wage for retail salespersons in Portland was $18.45 in 2022.
- Retail managers in Portland earned a mean annual salary of $62,300 in 2022.
- Number of retail establishments in Portland metro: 7,250 in 2022.
- Grocery stores: 420 locations operating in Portland 2022.
- Convenience stores: 310 in Portland with 24/7 operations in 2022.
- Consumer spending on retail goods in Portland averaged $14,200 per household in 2022.
- 68% of Portland consumers shopped online for retail in past month 2022 survey.
- Average monthly grocery spending by Portland households: $620 in 2022.
- Portland retail sales growth projected at 3.8% for 2023.
- Retail employment forecasted to add 1,800 jobs in Portland by 2025.
- E-commerce retail share in Portland expected to reach 28% by 2025.
Portland retail thrives with diverse growth despite downtown's challenges.
Consumer Behavior and Spending
- Consumer spending on retail goods in Portland averaged $14,200 per household in 2022.
- 68% of Portland consumers shopped online for retail in past month 2022 survey.
- Average monthly grocery spending by Portland households: $620 in 2022.
- 42% of Portland shoppers prefer local independent retailers per 2022 poll.
- Apparel spending per capita: $1,420 annually in Portland 2022.
- 55% of Portland consumers used buy-online-pickup-in-store (BOPIS) in 2022.
- Holiday retail spending in Portland up 7% to $2.1 billion in 2022.
- 73% of Portland millennials shopped thrift/second-hand retail in 2022.
- Average receipt size at Portland grocery stores: $48.20 in 2022.
- 61% of consumers in Portland used loyalty programs for retail in 2022.
- Electronics spending grew 12% among Portland consumers in 2022.
- 38% of Portland spending on retail was via mobile payments in 2022.
- Home goods spending per household: $2,100 in Portland 2022.
- 49% of Portland shoppers bought sustainable/eco-friendly retail products 2022.
- Weekly convenience store visits average 2.8 per Portland consumer 2022.
- 67% of Portland Gen Z used social media for retail discovery in 2022.
- Alcohol retail spending: $780 per capita annually in Portland 2022.
- 52% return rate for online retail purchases by Portland consumers 2022.
- Pharmacy spending average: $450 per household/year in Portland 2022.
- 71% of Portland consumers comparison-shopped retail via apps 2022.
- Sporting goods spending up 9.5% to $520 per capita in Portland 2022.
- Jewelry/accessories: $310 average annual spend per Portland woman 2022.
- Toy spending per child household: $240 in Portland holiday 2022.
Consumer Behavior and Spending Interpretation
In a city where nearly half prioritize eco-friendly purchases, over half also initiate online returns, and thrifting thrives among millennials, Portland's retail landscape reveals a consumer who is passionately principled, persistently picky, and prefers practicality—often all in the same shopping trip.
Employment and Labor
- Portland retail employment stood at 45,200 jobs in 2022, comprising 12% of total employment.
- Average hourly wage for retail salespersons in Portland was $18.45 in 2022.
- Retail managers in Portland earned a mean annual salary of $62,300 in 2022.
- There were 4,200 retail supervisors employed in Portland metro in 2022.
- Retail stock clerks numbered 8,500 in Portland with median wage $16.80/hour in 2022.
- Cashiers in Portland retail: 12,100 employed, average wage $15.20/hour in 2022.
- Retail sales workers employment grew 2.1% in Portland from 2021 to 2022.
- Unemployment rate in Portland retail sector was 4.8% in 2022 average.
- Part-time retail workers in Portland: 22,400 or 49.6% of total retail workforce in 2022.
- Retail occupations with highest growth in Portland: 1,200 new cashier jobs in 2022.
- Female employment in Portland retail: 52% of total 45,200 jobs in 2022.
- Retail worker turnover rate in Portland was 28.5% annually in 2022.
- Unionized retail workers in Portland: 3,200 or 7.1% of workforce in 2022.
- Average retail employee tenure in Portland: 2.8 years in 2022.
- Retail delivery drivers employed: 2,900 in Portland with wage $19.50/hour in 2022.
- First-line retail supervisors: 3,800 jobs, $28.60/hour mean in Portland 2022.
- Retail meat cutters employment: 450 in Portland, wage $20.10/hour 2022.
- Customer service reps in retail: 1,650 employed in Portland 2022.
- Retail pharmacists: 1,200 jobs with $65/hour mean wage in Portland 2022.
- Retail loss prevention specialists: 620 employed, $22.40/hour in 2022.
- Seasonal retail hires in Portland holiday 2022: 5,200 temporary jobs.
- Retail training hours average per employee: 28 hours/year in Portland 2022.
- Disabled workers in Portland retail: 4.1% of total employment 2022.
- Retail veteran employment in Portland: 1,800 jobs or 4% in 2022.
- Hispanic/Latino retail workers: 9,200 or 20.3% in Portland 2022.
- Retail workers aged 16-24: 11,500 or 25.4% in Portland 2022.
- Retail hourly earnings growth: 5.8% in Portland from 2021-2022.
Employment and Labor Interpretation
Portland’s retail sector runs on an engine of moderately paid, often part-time labor where a hefty 28.5% annual turnover suggests that, while nearly half the city is shopping here, many who work here are just passing through.
Industry Growth and Projections
- Portland retail sales growth projected at 3.8% for 2023.
- Retail employment forecasted to add 1,800 jobs in Portland by 2025.
- E-commerce retail share in Portland expected to reach 28% by 2025.
- Grocery retail market in Portland to grow 4.2% CAGR to 2027.
- Apparel retail recovery projected at 6% growth in Portland 2023-2024.
- Retail square footage demand up 2.5% in Portland suburbs by 2024.
- Cannabis retail sales projected to increase 15% annually in Portland to 2025.
- Downtown Portland retail vacancy to drop to 9% by end of 2024.
- Sustainable retail sector growth: 11% CAGR in Portland through 2026.
- Food hall and experiential retail to add 20 new sites by 2025 Portland.
- Second-hand retail market double to $450M by 2025 in Portland.
- Auto retail sales volume up 5% projected for Portland 2023.
- Health/beauty retail CAGR 4.8% to $1.8B by 2027 Portland.
- Tech-enabled retail stores to increase 25% by 2024 in Portland.
- Neighborhood retail density to rise 3% annually through 2025 Portland.
- Retail construction pipeline: 1.2M sq ft new space by 2025 Portland.
- Tourism-driven retail growth 7% per year post-2023 Portland.
- Omnichannel retail adoption to 85% of Portland stores by 2025.
- Luxury retail expansion: 12 new boutiques by 2024 in Portland.
- Grocery delivery market to triple to $900M by 2025 Portland.
- Retail GDP contribution projected to rise to 13.5% by 2025 Portland.
- Independent bookstore growth 8% to 55 locations by 2025 Portland.
- EV charging retail-integrated stations to 150 by 2025 Portland.
- Pop-up retail events to increase 20% yearly through 2026 Portland.
- Retail tech investment up 22% projected for 2023 Portland firms.
- Overall retail market cap rate average 6.8% in Portland 2023 forecast.
Industry Growth and Projections Interpretation
Portland's retail scene is evolving into a complex, high-tech patchwork where sustainable boutiques and food halls thrive alongside a resurgent downtown, even as groceries take flight and cannabis shops bloom, proving the city's commerce is growing in every conceivable direction except maybe boring.
Number of Establishments and Locations
- Number of retail establishments in Portland metro: 7,250 in 2022.
- Grocery stores: 420 locations operating in Portland 2022.
- Convenience stores: 310 in Portland with 24/7 operations in 2022.
- Apparel retail outlets: 580 in Portland city limits 2022.
- Shopping centers/malls: 28 major ones in Portland metro 2022.
- Electronics stores: 145 locations in Portland 2022.
- Home improvement stores: 85 big-box and independents in Portland 2022.
- Pharmacies/retail drug stores: 240 in Portland 2022.
- Auto dealerships: 120 new and used in Portland metro 2022.
- Furniture stores: 210 locations across Portland 2022.
- Sporting goods retailers: 95 stores in Portland 2022.
- Bookstores/independent: 45 in Portland neighborhoods 2022.
- Jewelry stores: 160 specialty shops in Portland 2022.
- Toy and hobby stores: 75 locations in Portland 2022.
- Liquor stores: 350 licensed in Portland 2022.
- Farmers markets with retail vendors: 12 permanent sites in Portland 2022.
- Pop-up retail shops: 180 temporary in Portland 2022.
- Cannabis retail dispensaries: 95 licensed in Portland 2022.
- Vintage/thrift stores: 220 in Portland metro 2022.
- Mall anchor stores: 45 operating in Portland area malls 2022.
- Neighborhood strip malls: 210 with retail focus in Portland 2022.
- Downtown Portland retail storefronts: 1,250 active in 2022.
- Average retail store size in Portland: 4,200 sq ft in 2022.
- New retail openings in Portland: 85 in 2022.
- Vacant retail spaces: 12.5% vacancy rate in Portland 2022.
Number of Establishments and Locations Interpretation
Portland’s 7,250 retail establishments reveal a city equally devoted to outdoor gear, fine jewelry, and cannabis, all while politely side-stepping its 12.5% of vacant storefronts.
Retail Sales and Revenue
- Portland's retail trade sector generated $12.4 billion in total sales in 2022, up 5.2% from the previous year.
- Apparel stores in Portland contributed $1.8 billion to retail sales in 2021, representing 14.5% of total retail sales.
- Food and beverage stores accounted for $3.7 billion in Portland retail sales during 2022.
- General merchandise stores in Portland saw sales of $2.1 billion in 2023 Q1.
- Health and personal care stores generated $1.2 billion in sales in Portland for 2022.
- Gasoline stations contributed $1.5 billion to Portland's retail sales in 2022.
- Nonstore retailers in Portland had e-commerce sales of $850 million in 2022.
- Sporting goods stores sales in Portland reached $450 million in 2022.
- Electronics and appliance stores generated $320 million in Portland sales for 2022.
- Furniture and home furnishings stores in Portland sold $610 million worth in 2022.
- Building material and garden equipment stores contributed $950 million to Portland retail in 2022.
- Miscellaneous store retailers in Portland had $280 million in sales in 2022.
- Motor vehicle dealers sales in Portland totaled $4.2 billion in 2022.
- Retail sales per capita in Portland was $18,450 in 2022.
- Portland's retail sales tax revenue was $145 million in FY2022.
- Year-over-year retail sales growth in Portland was 6.1% in Q4 2022.
- Downtown Portland retail sales dropped 12% in 2022 compared to 2019 levels.
- Mall-based retail sales in Portland metro area were $2.8 billion in 2022.
- Grocery store sales in Portland increased 8.3% to $3.2 billion in 2022.
- Luxury retail sales in Portland's Pearl District hit $420 million in 2022.
- Second-hand retail sales grew 15% to $210 million in Portland 2022.
- Portland retail sales from tourist spending was $1.1 billion in 2022.
- Online retail pickup sales in Portland stores reached $650 million in 2022.
- Retail sales in Portland's Alberta Arts District were $180 million in 2022.
- Automotive parts retail sales in Portland totaled $310 million in 2022.
- Bookstore sales in Portland generated $95 million in 2022.
- Jewelry store sales in Portland were $240 million in 2022.
- Pharmacy retail sales in Portland hit $890 million in 2022.
- Toy store sales in Portland reached $75 million in 2022 holiday season.
- Office supply retail sales in Portland were $140 million in 2022.
Retail Sales and Revenue Interpretation
While Portlanders are clearly still shopping, their tastes are shifting towards comfort and convenience—evidenced by roaring grocery and e-commerce numbers—even as they abandon downtown’s traditional storefronts faster than a pair of last season’s skinny jeans.
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