NAICS 44-45

Retail Trade in Lansing-East Lansing, MI

Metro Market Score 55.0 (Challenging), ranked #197 of 378 metros. 1,266 establishments, 20,105 jobs.

Metro Market Assessment

Metro Market Score 55.0
Favorable 0-35
Moderate 35-48
Challenging 48-60
Difficult 60+
Challenging

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

Retail Trade employment in Lansing-East Lansing contracted year-over-year, placing the growth trend in the lower half at 13.0. Declining job counts can indicate consolidation, population shifts, or reduced local demand. Due diligence on the local economy is especially important here.

Industry Concentration
9.3
LQ: 0.92
Rank #35 of 378 metros
Wage Competitiveness
51.3
$37,717 avg wage
Growth Trend
↓ 13.0
Employment growth index
Rank #330 of 378 metros
Wage Pressure
68.9
YoY wage change index

1,266 Retail Trade Firms in Lansing-East Lansing

1,266
Establishments
-9.0% YoY
20,105
Total Employment
-2.8% YoY
$37,717
Average Annual Wage
+1.4% YoY
0.92
Location Quotient
Below national avg

Lansing-East Lansing vs Michigan Statewide

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

Measure Lansing-East Lansing MI Statewide
Overall Score 55.0 Challenging 40.5 Moderate
Score Type Metro Market Score Entry Risk Score
Rank #197 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 Lansing-East Lansing

Healthcare and Social Assistance 34.2 Accommodation and Food Services 34.6 Construction 39.8 Real Estate and Rental and Leasing 44.5 Finance and Insurance 50.5 Administrative and Support Services 59.3 Information 61.6 Other Services 64.9

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 Ann Arbor 52.6 #169/378 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 Lansing-East Lansing's retail trade sector, the employment growth component (87.0) 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.