From the high-end boutiques of Union Square generating nearly $2 billion annually to the resilient spirit shown in a 5.2% sales rebound, San Francisco's retail industry is a complex tapestry of luxury, local grit, and a remarkable recovery story woven with the threads of its diverse workforce.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, San Francisco's retail sector employed 45,230 workers, representing 8.2% of the city's total employment
- The average annual wage for retail salespersons in San Francisco was $48,760 in 2023, 25% higher than the national average
- Retail trade sector in San Francisco saw a 3.4% year-over-year employment growth from 2021 to 2022, adding 1,520 jobs
- San Francisco retail sector's total payroll reached $2.8 billion in 2022
- Retail sales in San Francisco generated $18.7 billion in taxable revenue in 2022
- E-commerce retail sales in San Francisco amounted to $4.2 billion in 2023, 22.4% of total retail sales
- San Francisco had 4,820 retail establishments in 2022
- Food and beverage stores numbered 1,210 in San Francisco in 2023
- There were 890 general merchandise stores in San Francisco County in 2022
- San Francisco retail sales volume reached $24.5 billion in 2023
- Online retail sales from SF-based businesses totaled $6.8 billion in 2022
- Apparel sales volume in San Francisco was $3.2 billion in 2023
- San Francisco retail sales grew 5.2% YoY in 2023 to $25.8 billion
- E-commerce penetration in SF retail reached 28% of total sales in 2023
- Pop-up retail shops in San Francisco increased by 40% from 2021 to 2023, totaling 250 events
San Francisco's retail industry shows growth with higher wages and diverse shopping trends.
Employment
- In 2022, San Francisco's retail sector employed 45,230 workers, representing 8.2% of the city's total employment
- The average annual wage for retail salespersons in San Francisco was $48,760 in 2023, 25% higher than the national average
- Retail trade sector in San Francisco saw a 3.4% year-over-year employment growth from 2021 to 2022, adding 1,520 jobs
- Women comprised 52.3% of the retail workforce in San Francisco in 2022, with 23,670 female employees
- There were 2,340 part-time retail workers in San Francisco's food and beverage stores subcategory in 2023
- Retail managers in San Francisco earned a median salary of $72,450 in 2022
- The retail sector's unemployment rate in San Francisco was 4.1% in Q4 2023, below the city average of 4.8%
- Asian Americans made up 28.7% of retail employees in San Francisco in 2022, totaling 12,980 workers
- San Francisco retail sector had 1,890 cashiers employed in 2023, with an average hourly wage of $19.85
- From 2019 to 2022, retail employment in San Francisco declined by 12.5%, losing 6,430 jobs due to pandemic effects
- First-line supervisors in retail occupations numbered 3,210 in San Francisco in 2022
- Retail stock clerks and order fillers totaled 4,120 in San Francisco in 2023
- The retail sector's labor force participation rate in San Francisco was 67.2% for ages 16+ in 2022
- Hispanic or Latino retail workers in San Francisco numbered 9,450 in 2022, 20.9% of the sector
- San Francisco's retail transportation and material moving occupations employed 2,780 in 2023
- Retail sales workers with less than high school diploma comprised 8.4% or 3,800 employees in 2022
- The sector added 450 jobs in general merchandise stores in San Francisco from 2022-2023
- Black or African American retail employees were 6.2% or 2,804 in San Francisco 2022
- Retail customer service representatives numbered 1,650 in San Francisco in 2023
- Union membership in San Francisco retail was 4.7% in 2022, covering 2,126 workers
Employment Interpretation
San Francisco's retail sector, while still nursing a pandemic hangover, is showing a resilient pulse—its wages are high, its workforce is diversely vibrant, and it's even adding jobs, proving the city's cash registers and conscience are both still ticking.
Establishments
- San Francisco had 4,820 retail establishments in 2022
- Food and beverage stores numbered 1,210 in San Francisco in 2023
- There were 890 general merchandise stores in San Francisco County in 2022
- Clothing and clothing accessories stores totaled 1,045 in SF 2022
- Health and personal care stores in San Francisco numbered 420 in 2023
- Gasoline stations operated 185 locations in San Francisco in 2022
- Electronics and appliance stores totaled 210 in SF 2023
- Furniture and home furnishings stores numbered 320 in San Francisco 2022
- Sporting goods stores in SF were 145 in 2023
- Book stores operated 85 locations in San Francisco in 2022
- Pharmacies and drug stores totaled 280 in SF 2023
- Grocery stores numbered 620 in San Francisco County 2022
- Convenience stores in SF totaled 310 in 2023
- Shoe stores operated 120 outlets in San Francisco 2022
- Jewelry stores numbered 245 in SF 2023
- Department stores totaled 15 in San Francisco in 2022
- Liquor stores operated 410 locations in SF 2023
Establishments Interpretation
San Francisco’s retail scene reveals a city that clearly prioritizes sustenance and style, with over a quarter of its stores dedicated to food, drink, and fashion, while the mere 15 department stores suggest that the era of one-stop shopping has been decisively replaced by the artisanal, hyper-specific destination.
Revenue
- San Francisco retail sector's total payroll reached $2.8 billion in 2022
- Retail sales in San Francisco generated $18.7 billion in taxable revenue in 2022
- E-commerce retail sales in San Francisco amounted to $4.2 billion in 2023, 22.4% of total retail sales
- Food and beverage stores contributed $5.1 billion to San Francisco's retail revenue in 2022
- General merchandise stores in San Francisco reported $3.4 billion in sales revenue for 2022
- Clothing and clothing accessories stores generated $2.9 billion in San Francisco retail revenue 2022
- Health and personal care stores in San Francisco had $1.8 billion revenue in 2023
- San Francisco's retail sector average revenue per establishment was $2.1 million in 2022
- Gasoline stations contributed $1.2 billion to retail revenue in San Francisco 2022
- Sporting goods, hobby, and musical instrument stores revenue was $450 million in SF 2023
- San Francisco retail sales tax revenue collected was $312 million in FY2022
- Electronics and appliance stores generated $780 million in San Francisco 2022
- Furniture and home furnishings stores revenue totaled $1.1 billion in SF 2023
- Book stores and news dealers in San Francisco earned $120 million revenue 2022
- Florists retail revenue in San Francisco was $85 million in 2023
- Used merchandise stores generated $210 million in SF retail revenue 2022
- Office supplies and stationery stores revenue was $145 million in SF 2023
- San Francisco's total retail gross receipts were $22.3 billion in 2021
- Miscellaneous store retailers revenue reached $320 million in SF 2022
Revenue Interpretation
Despite the city's famed tech ascendance, the cold, hard data shows San Franciscans are still fundamentally powered by a potent mix of gourmet groceries, stylish wardrobes, and the stubborn, multi-billion dollar human need to simply go out and buy stuff.
Sales Volume
- San Francisco retail sales volume reached $24.5 billion in 2023
- Online retail sales from SF-based businesses totaled $6.8 billion in 2022
- Apparel sales volume in San Francisco was $3.2 billion in 2023
- Grocery sales volume hit $7.1 billion in SF retail 2022
- Luxury goods sales in San Francisco Union Square totaled $1.9 billion annually in 2023
- Holiday season retail sales in SF surged 12.4% to $4.2 billion in 2022 Q4
- Electronics sales volume was $1.05 billion in San Francisco 2023
- Home improvement retail sales reached $890 million in SF 2022
- Beauty product sales volume totaled $620 million in SF 2023
- Wine and spirits sales volume was $1.3 billion in San Francisco 2022
- Second-hand clothing sales volume hit $180 million in SF thrift stores 2023
- Pet supply sales in San Francisco totaled $210 million in 2022
- Toy sales volume during holidays was $95 million in SF 2023
- Organic food retail sales volume reached $2.4 billion in SF 2022
- Jewelry sales volume was $450 million in San Francisco 2023
- San Francisco retail sales per capita were $28,450 in 2022
- Footwear sales volume totaled $380 million in SF 2023
Sales Volume Interpretation
While San Franciscans will drop a cool $7.1 billion on groceries and $1.3 billion on wine to cope, they'll also spend $28,450 per person to ensure they're impeccably dressed in $380 million worth of shoes, draped in $450 million of jewelry, and carrying $1.9 billion in luxury bags, all while philosophically thrifting $180 million in second-hand clothes and spending $890 million to improve the homes they can't afford to leave.
Trends
- San Francisco retail sales grew 5.2% YoY in 2023 to $25.8 billion
- E-commerce penetration in SF retail reached 28% of total sales in 2023
- Pop-up retail shops in San Francisco increased by 40% from 2021 to 2023, totaling 250 events
- Sustainable fashion retail sales grew 18% YoY in SF to $750 million in 2023
- Contactless payment usage in SF retail hit 72% of transactions in 2023
- Retail vacancy rates in San Francisco dropped to 9.2% in Q4 2023 from 15% in 2021
- Experiential retail concepts like showrooms increased 25% in SF since 2020
- Buy-online-pickup-in-store (BOPIS) orders rose 35% in SF retail 2022-2023
- Vegan and plant-based product sales in SF grocery retail up 22% to $450M in 2023
- Retail theft incidents in San Francisco increased 20% YoY to 12,500 cases in 2023
- Omnichannel retail adoption by SF stores reached 65% in 2023
- Local artisan goods sales in SF markets grew 15% to $120M in 2023
- Mobile commerce sales in SF retail hit $2.1 billion in 2023, 31% of e-com
- Retail foot traffic in SF tourist areas rebounded to 92% of pre-pandemic levels in 2023
- Zero-waste retail stores in San Francisco numbered 45 in 2023, up 50% since 2020
Trends Interpretation
San Francisco’s retail scene is having a conspicuously tech-savvy and socially conscious comeback, even if the occasional shoplifter tries to swipe its progress.
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