NAICS 44-45

Retail Trade in Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL

Metro Market Score 61.6 (Difficult), ranked #273 of 378 metros. 2,064 establishments, 31,939 jobs.

Metro Market Assessment

Metro Market Score 61.6
Favorable 0-35
Moderate 35-48
Challenging 48-60
Difficult 60+
Difficult

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

⚡Rising Wages

Lakeland-Winter Haven scores 61.6 on the Metro Market Score for retail trade, placing it in the lower half. High wage costs, strong existing competition, or slowing growth contribute to tougher entry conditions compared to most metros.

Industry Concentration
71.4
LQ: 1.23
Rank #270 of 378 metros
Wage Competitiveness
56.4
$38,548 avg wage
Growth Trend
49.5
Employment growth index
Rank #192 of 378 metros
Wage Pressure
72.5
YoY wage change index

2,064 Retail Trade Firms in Lakeland-Winter Haven

2,064
Establishments
+2.3% YoY
31,939
Total Employment
-0.2% YoY
$38,548
Average Annual Wage
+2.1% YoY
1.23
Location Quotient
Above national avg

Lakeland-Winter Haven vs Florida Statewide

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

Measure Lakeland-Winter Haven FL Statewide
Overall Score 61.6 Difficult 51.0 Elevated
Score Type Metro Market Score Entry Risk Score
Rank #273 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 Lakeland-Winter Haven

Information 28.8 Healthcare and Social Assistance 31.4 Real Estate and Rental and Leasing 37.1 Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services 42.7 Construction 43.2 Administrative and Support Services 58.7 Other Services 59.4 Accommodation and Food Services 62.6 Finance and Insurance 64.6

Retail Trade in Other Florida Metros

Gainesville 24.8 #2/378 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

+ 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 Lakeland-Winter Haven's retail trade sector, the industry concentration component (71.4) 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.