Retail Trade in New Orleans-Metairie, LA
Metro Market Score 63.3 (Difficult), ranked #290 of 378 metros. 4,266 establishments, 43,833 jobs.
Metro Market Assessment
Lower is better. Relative to national retail trade average.
New Orleans-Metairie's retail trade sector saw employment decline over the past year (growth trend: 1.1). That contraction, combined with a 63.3 market score, puts this metro in the bottom quartile for market conditions. Understand why the local market is shrinking before committing.
4,266 Retail Trade Firms in New Orleans-Metairie
New Orleans-Metairie vs Louisiana Statewide
How this metro's retail trade market compares to Louisiana overall. The state ranks #46/51 for entry risk.
| Measure | New Orleans-Metairie | LA Statewide |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Score | 63.3 Difficult | 52.3 Elevated |
| Score Type | Metro Market Score | Entry Risk Score |
| Rank | #290 of 378 metros | #46 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 New Orleans-Metairie
Retail Trade in Other Louisiana Metros
Retail Trade Metros With Similar Conditions
Metros within 5 points of New Orleans-Metairie's 63.3 score. Useful when comparing markets with comparable entry profiles.
Retail Trade in States Bordering Louisiana
State-level entry risk for retail trade in adjacent states. Use this to weigh cross-border options.
Browse Retail Trade in Other States
State-level entry risk reports for retail trade across all 51 markets, sorted by rank.
Data Sources
- Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW), Bureau of Labor Statistics. MSA-level establishment counts, employment, wages, and location quotients for the New Orleans-Metairie, LA MSA area.
Data period: 2024. Last updated: April 2026.