NAICS 44-45

Retail Trade in Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL

Metro Market Score 61.9 (Difficult), ranked #276 of 378 metros. 649 establishments, 8,152 jobs.

Metro Market Assessment

Metro Market Score 61.9
Favorable 0-35
Moderate 35-48
Challenging 48-60
Difficult 60+
Difficult

ⓘ Lower is better. Relative to national retail trade average.

Florence-Muscle Shoals is a specialized hub for retail trade, with a location quotient of 1.47 and industry concentration in the lower half. Higher-than-average firm density means more competition for talent and customers, but also a deeper local supply chain and client pool.

Industry Concentration
95.0
LQ: 1.47
Rank #359 of 378 metros
Wage Competitiveness
22.2
$35,009 avg wage
Growth Trend
↓ 37.6
Employment growth index
Rank #237 of 378 metros
Wage Pressure
69.4
YoY wage change index

649 Retail Trade Firms in Florence-Muscle Shoals

649
Establishments
+2.2% YoY
8,152
Total Employment
-0.9% YoY
$35,009
Average Annual Wage
+1.5% YoY
1.47
Location Quotient
Above national avg

Florence-Muscle Shoals vs Alabama Statewide

How this metro's retail trade market compares to Alabama overall. The state ranks #36/51 for entry risk.

Measure Florence-Muscle Shoals AL Statewide
Overall Score 61.9 Difficult 46.4 Elevated
Score Type Metro Market Score Entry Risk Score
Rank #276 of 378 metros #36 of 51 states

Metro and state scores use different methodologies (metro has 4 QCEW-based metrics; state adds BDS survival and momentum data). Direct score comparisons are approximate.

Other Industries in Florence-Muscle Shoals

Real Estate and Rental and Leasing 26.8 Other Services 29.4 Information 29.8 Accommodation and Food Services 40.7 Construction 41.5 Finance and Insurance 43.2 Healthcare and Social Assistance 43.7 Administrative and Support Services 46.7

Retail Trade in Other Alabama Metros

Tuscaloosa 32.9 #14/378 Auburn-Opelika 35.6 #27/378 Decatur 37.0 #31/378 Gadsden 41.9 #55/378 Huntsville 44.8 #81/378 Montgomery 49.9 #137/378 Birmingham 51.8 #161/378 Anniston-Oxford 52.9 #175/378 Mobile 54.9 #195/378 Daphne-Fairhope-Foley 62.9 #285/378

+ 1 more metros. View all in Alabama →

About Metro Market Score: A weighted composite of industry concentration (25%), wage competitiveness (25%), wage pressure (20%), and employment growth trend (30%). Lower scores indicate more favorable conditions. For Florence-Muscle Shoals's retail trade sector, the industry concentration component (95.0) has the strongest pull on the composite. Metro scores use QCEW data only (no BDS survival data at metro level). Read full methodology →

Data Sources

Data period: 2024. Last updated: April 2026.