NAICS 44-45

Retail Trade in Ann Arbor, MI

Metro Market Score 52.6 (Challenging), ranked #169 of 378 metros. 942 establishments, 15,024 jobs.

Metro Market Assessment

Metro Market Score 52.6
Favorable 0-35
Moderate 35-48
Challenging 48-60
Difficult 60+
Challenging

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

⚡Rising Wages

Ann Arbor stands out for high retail trade labor costs. Wage competitiveness hits 74.6 (above the 70th percentile of metros), and year-over-year wage pressure at 75.1 signals continued increases. Plan for higher payroll if entering this market.

Industry Concentration
0.5
LQ: 0.69
Rank #2 of 378 metros
Wage Competitiveness
74.6
$40,670 avg wage
Growth Trend
↓ 37.3
Employment growth index
Rank #238 of 378 metros
Wage Pressure
75.1
YoY wage change index

942 Retail Trade Firms in Ann Arbor

942
Establishments
-8.5% YoY
15,024
Total Employment
-0.9% YoY
$40,670
Average Annual Wage
+2.6% YoY
0.69
Location Quotient
Below national avg

Ann Arbor vs Michigan Statewide

How this metro's retail trade market compares to Michigan overall. The state ranks #15/51 for entry risk.

Measure Ann Arbor MI Statewide
Overall Score 52.6 Challenging 40.5 Moderate
Score Type Metro Market Score Entry Risk Score
Rank #169 of 378 metros #15 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 Ann Arbor

Other Services 41.2 Healthcare and Social Assistance 42.4 Construction 42.6 Real Estate and Rental and Leasing 44.3 Finance and Insurance 52.0 Administrative and Support Services 54.2 Accommodation and Food Services 59.3 Information 61.6 Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services 81.1

Retail Trade in Other Michigan Metros

Niles 33.4 #15/378 Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood 37.1 #32/378 Muskegon-Norton Shores 47.1 #100/378 Midland 50.1 #141/378 Lansing-East Lansing 55.0 #197/378 Monroe 55.1 #198/378 Battle Creek 58.5 #238/378 Saginaw 60.8 #265/378 Traverse City 61.3 #268/378 Detroit-Warren-Dearborn 63.5 #293/378

+ 4 more metros. View all in Michigan →

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 Ann Arbor's retail trade sector, the employment growth component (62.7) 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.