NAICS 44-45

Retail Trade in Gainesville, FL

Metro Market Score 24.8 (Favorable), ranked #2 of 378 metros. 1,145 establishments, 15,837 jobs.

Metro Market Assessment

Metro Market Score 24.8
Favorable 0-35
Moderate 35-48
Challenging 48-60
Difficult 60+
Favorable

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

📈Rapid Growth✓Favorable Market🌱Emerging Market

Employment in Gainesville's retail trade sector grew faster than most metros last year, pushing its growth trend index to 97.9. Combined with a 24.8 market score, this metro sits in the top 10% for overall conditions.

Industry Concentration
27.3
LQ: 1.04
Rank #103 of 378 metros
Wage Competitiveness
20.6
$34,825 avg wage
Growth Trend
↑ 97.9
Employment growth index
Rank #9 of 378 metros
Wage Pressure
61.1
YoY wage change index

1,145 Retail Trade Firms in Gainesville

1,145
Establishments
+19.1% YoY
15,837
Total Employment
+12.6% YoY
$34,825
Average Annual Wage
-0.1% YoY
1.04
Location Quotient
Above national avg

Gainesville vs Florida Statewide

How this metro's retail trade market compares to Florida overall. The state ranks #43/51 for entry risk.

Measure Gainesville FL Statewide
Overall Score 24.8 Favorable 51.0 Elevated
Score Type Metro Market Score Entry Risk Score
Rank #2 of 378 metros #43 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 Gainesville

Construction 18.0 Other Services 28.3 Finance and Insurance 38.7 Real Estate and Rental and Leasing 50.8 Information 53.9

Retail Trade in Other Florida Metros

Tallahassee 38.1 #37/378 Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville 47.7 #106/378 Jacksonville 48.1 #110/378 Homosassa Springs 49.6 #131/378 Panama City-Panama City Beach 50.1 #142/378 Sebring 50.6 #149/378 Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford 52.0 #163/378 Wildwood-The Villages 52.1 #164/378 Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent 54.0 #188/378 Port St. Lucie 55.7 #205/378

+ 11 more metros. View all in Florida →

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 Gainesville's retail trade sector, the wage pressure component (61.1) 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.