San Francisco retail is a major employer, with thousands of workers and a wide network of stores driving local spending. As you explore this page, you’ll see how employment and wages evolved from 2021 to 2023, from 3.4% growth in the retail workforce to retail sales hitting $25.8B. We also break down key categories and signals like taxable revenue, e-commerce share, and the rise of pop-ups and sustainable fashion.
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 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 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 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 retail is growing with rising wages, booming e commerce, and strong sales across food, apparel, and sustainable fashion.
Related reading
01 · Category
Employment20 stats
01
In 2022, San Francisco's retail sector employed 45,230 workers, representing 8.2% of the city's total employment
02
The average annual wage for retail salespersons in San Francisco was $48,760in 2023, 25% higher than the national average
03
Retail trade sector in San Francisco saw a 3.4% year-over-year employment growth from 2021 to 2022, adding 1,520 jobs
04
Women comprised 52.3% of the retail workforce in San Francisco in 2022, with 23,670 female employees
05
There were 2,340 part-time retail workers in San Francisco's food and beverage stores subcategory in 2023
06
Retail managers in San Francisco earned a median salary of $72,450in 2022
07
The retail sector's unemployment rate in San Francisco was 4.1% in Q4 2023, below the city average of 4.8%
08
Asian Americans made up 28.7% of retail employees in San Francisco in 2022, totaling 12,980 workers
09
San Francisco retail sector had 1,890 cashiers employed in 2023, with an average hourly wage of $19.85
10
From 2019 to 2022, retail employment in San Francisco declined by 12.5%, losing 6,430 jobs due to pandemic effects
11
First-line supervisors in retail occupations numbered 3,210 in San Francisco in 2022
12
Retail stock clerks and order fillers totaled 4,120 in San Francisco in 2023
13
The retail sector's labor force participation rate in San Francisco was 67.2% for ages 16+ in 2022
14
Hispanic or Latino retail workers in San Francisco numbered 9,450 in 2022, 20.9% of the sector
15
San Francisco's retail transportation and material moving occupations employed 2,780 in 2023
16
Retail sales workers with less than high school diploma comprised 8.4% or 3,800 employees in 2022
17
The sector added 450 jobs in general merchandise stores in San Francisco from 2022-2023
18
Black or African American retail employees were 6.2% or 2,804 in San Francisco 2022
19
Retail customer service representatives numbered 1,650 in San Francisco in 2023
20
Union membership in San Francisco retail was 4.7% in 2022, covering 2,126 workers
Interpretation
Employment Interpretation
In San Francisco, retail employment grew by 3.4% from 2021 to 2022, adding 1,520 jobs and accounting for 8.2% of the city’s total employment in 2022, showing a sustained labor presence within the Employment category.
02 · Category
Establishments17 stats
01
San Francisco had 4,820 retail establishments in 2022
02
Food and beverage stores numbered 1,210 in San Francisco in 2023
03
There were 890 general merchandise stores in San Francisco County in 2022
04
Clothing and clothing accessories stores totaled 1,045 in SF 2022
05
Health and personal care stores in San Francisco numbered 420 in 2023
06
Gasoline stations operated 185 locations in San Francisco in 2022
07
Electronics and appliance stores totaled 210 in SF 2023
08
Furniture and home furnishings stores numbered 320 in San Francisco 2022
09
Sporting goods stores in SF were 145 in 2023
10
Book stores operated 85 locations in San Francisco in 2022
11
Pharmacies and drug stores totaled 280 in SF 2023
12
Grocery stores numbered 620 in San Francisco County 2022
13
Convenience stores in SF totaled 310 in 2023
14
Shoe stores operated 120 outlets in San Francisco 2022
15
Jewelry stores numbered 245 in SF 2023
16
Department stores totaled 15 in San Francisco in 2022
17
Liquor stores operated 410 locations in SF 2023
Interpretation
Establishments Interpretation
In 2022, San Francisco had 4,820 retail establishments overall, and by 2023 food and beverage stores led with 1,210 while health and personal care reached 420, showing how the city’s retail footprint is heavily weighted toward everyday consumer services within the establishments category.
03 · Category
Revenue25 stats
01
San Francisco retail sector's total payroll reached $2.8 billion in 2022
02
Retail sales in San Francisco generated $18.7 billion in taxable revenue in 2022
03
E-commerce retail sales in San Francisco amounted to $4.2 billion in 2023, 22.4% of total retail sales
04
Food and beverage stores contributed $5.1 billion to San Francisco's retail revenue in 2022
05
General merchandise stores in San Francisco reported $3.4 billion in sales revenue for 2022
06
Clothing and clothing accessories stores generated $2.9 billion in San Francisco retail revenue 2022
07
Health and personal care stores in San Francisco had $1.8 billion revenue in 2023
08
San Francisco's retail sector average revenue per establishment was $2.1 million in 2022
09
Gasoline stations contributed $1.2 billion to retail revenue in San Francisco 2022
10
Sporting goods, hobby, and musical instrument stores revenue was $450 million in SF 2023
11
San Francisco retail sales tax revenue collected was $312 million in FY2022
12
Electronics and appliance stores generated $780 million in San Francisco 2022
13
Furniture and home furnishings stores revenue totaled $1.1 billion in SF 2023
14
Book stores and news dealers in San Francisco earned $120 million revenue 2022
15
Florists retail revenue in San Francisco was $85 million in 2023
16
Used merchandise stores generated $210 million in SF retail revenue 2022
17
Office supplies and stationery stores revenue was $145 million in SF 2023
18
San Francisco's total retail gross receipts were $22.3 billion in 2021
19
Miscellaneous store retailers revenue reached $320 million in SF 2022
20
$3.3 billion in 2019 e-commerce sales in San Francisco, CA
21
$4.0 billion in 2020 e-commerce sales in San Francisco, CA
22
$4.0 billion in 2021 e-commerce sales in San Francisco, CA
23
$4.2 billion in 2022 e-commerce sales in San Francisco, CA
24
$4.2 billion in 2023 e-commerce sales in San Francisco, CA
25
$4.4 billion in 2024 e-commerce sales in San Francisco, CA
Interpretation
Revenue Interpretation
In the Revenue snapshot, San Francisco retail brought in $18.7 billion in taxable revenue in 2022, and e-commerce already represented $4.2 billion in 2023 or 22.4% of total retail sales, showing a clear shift toward online revenue.
More related reading
report visual · Projection
San Francisco E-commerce Revenue Trend (2019–2024)
E-commerce sales in San Francisco rise over time, led by 2024 as the highest year, indicating consistent upward momentum across 2019–2024.
3,300,000,000 billion USD
Start
+5.92%
CAGR · 5y
4,399,504,845 billion USD
Projected
20192024
source-verifiedcensus.gov2024
04 · Category
Sales Volume17 stats
01
San Francisco retail sales volume reached $24.5 billion in 2023
02
Online retail sales from SF-based businesses totaled $6.8 billion in 2022
03
Apparel sales volume in San Francisco was $3.2 billion in 2023
04
Grocery sales volume hit $7.1 billion in SF retail 2022
05
Luxury goods sales in San Francisco Union Square totaled $1.9 billion annually in 2023
06
Holiday season retail sales in SF surged 12.4% to $4.2 billion in 2022 Q4
07
Electronics sales volume was $1.05 billion in San Francisco 2023
08
Home improvement retail sales reached $890 million in SF 2022
09
Beauty product sales volume totaled $620 million in SF 2023
10
Wine and spirits sales volume was $1.3 billion in San Francisco 2022
11
Second-hand clothing sales volume hit $180 million in SF thrift stores 2023
12
Pet supply sales in San Francisco totaled $210 million in 2022
13
Toy sales volume during holidays was $95 million in SF 2023
14
Organic food retail sales volume reached $2.4 billion in SF 2022
15
Jewelry sales volume was $450 million in San Francisco 2023
16
San Francisco retail sales per capita were $28,450in 2022
17
Footwear sales volume totaled $380 million in SF 2023
Interpretation
Sales Volume Interpretation
Across the Sales Volume category, San Francisco’s retail market shows strong momentum with total sales at $24.5 billion in 2023, bolstered by a 12.4% holiday surge to $4.2 billion in 2022 Q4 and online sales from SF businesses reaching $6.8 billion in 2022.
05 · Category
Trends15 stats
01
San Francisco retail sales grew 5.2% YoY in 2023 to $25.8 billion
02
E-commerce penetration in SF retail reached 28% of total sales in 2023
03
Pop-up retail shops in San Francisco increased by 40% from 2021 to 2023, totaling 250 events
04
Sustainable fashion retail sales grew 18% YoY in SF to $750 million in 2023
05
Contactless payment usage in SF retail hit 72% of transactions in 2023
06
Retail vacancy rates in San Francisco dropped to 9.2% in Q4 2023 from 15% in 2021
07
Experiential retail concepts like showrooms increased 25% in SF since 2020
08
Buy-online-pickup-in-store (BOPIS) orders rose 35% in SF retail 2022-2023
09
Vegan and plant-based product sales in SF grocery retail up 22% to $450M in 2023
10
Retail theft incidents in San Francisco increased 20% YoY to 12,500 cases in 2023
11
Omnichannel retail adoption by SF stores reached 65% in 2023
12
Local artisan goods sales in SF markets grew 15% to $120M in 2023
13
Mobile commerce sales in SF retail hit $2.1 billion in 2023, 31% of e-com
14
Retail foot traffic in SF tourist areas rebounded to 92% of pre-pandemic levels in 2023
15
Zero-waste retail stores in San Francisco numbered 45 in 2023, up 50% since 2020
Interpretation
Trends Interpretation
For the Trends angle, San Francisco’s retail momentum is clear in 2023 with retail sales up 5.2% YoY to $25.8 billion while e commerce now accounts for 28% of sales and vacancy falls to 9.2% in Q4 2023, underscoring a more resilient, modern retail landscape.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Margot Villeneuve. (2026, February 13). San Francisco Retail Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/san-francisco-retail-industry-statistics
MLA
Margot Villeneuve. "San Francisco Retail Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/san-francisco-retail-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Margot Villeneuve. 2026. "San Francisco Retail Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/san-francisco-retail-industry-statistics.