NAICS 44-45

Retail Trade in Greenville, NC

Metro Market Score 62.9 (Difficult), ranked #283 of 378 metros. 612 establishments, 9,274 jobs.

Metro Market Assessment

Metro Market Score 62.9
Favorable 0-35
Moderate 35-48
Challenging 48-60
Difficult 60+
Difficult

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

Greenville's retail trade sector saw employment decline over the past year (growth trend: 8.2). That contraction, combined with a 62.9 market score, puts this metro in the lower half for market conditions. Understand why the local market is shrinking before committing.

Industry Concentration
49.7
LQ: 1.14
Rank #188 of 378 metros
Wage Competitiveness
36.0
$36,300 avg wage
Growth Trend
↓ 8.2
Employment growth index
Rank #348 of 378 metros
Wage Pressure
69.4
YoY wage change index

612 Retail Trade Firms in Greenville

612
Establishments
-1.8% YoY
9,274
Total Employment
-3.5% YoY
$36,300
Average Annual Wage
+1.5% YoY
1.14
Location Quotient
Above national avg

Greenville vs North Carolina Statewide

How this metro's retail trade market compares to North Carolina overall. The state ranks #25/51 for entry risk.

Measure Greenville NC Statewide
Overall Score 62.9 Difficult 43.4 Elevated
Score Type Metro Market Score Entry Risk Score
Rank #283 of 378 metros #25 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 Greenville

Other Services 23.3 Construction 29.9 Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services 32.3 Healthcare and Social Assistance 33.8 Finance and Insurance 39.1 Information 46.9 Real Estate and Rental and Leasing 47.9 Accommodation and Food Services 54.0 Administrative and Support Services 77.1

Retail Trade in Other North Carolina Metros

Durham-Chapel Hill 40.3 #51/378 Wilmington 42.4 #61/378 Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton 42.7 #65/378 Raleigh-Cary 44.4 #78/378 Goldsboro 45.0 #83/378 Pinehurst-Southern Pines 47.0 #99/378 Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia 50.4 #146/378 Rocky Mount 56.1 #210/378 Greensboro-High Point 56.3 #212/378 Winston-Salem 60.3 #256/378

+ 4 more metros. View all in North Carolina →

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 Greenville's retail trade sector, the employment growth component (91.8) 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.