NAICS 44-45

Retail Trade in Winston-Salem, NC

Metro Market Score 60.3 (Difficult), ranked #256 of 378 metros. 2,208 establishments, 31,566 jobs.

Metro Market Assessment

Metro Market Score 60.3
Favorable 0-35
Moderate 35-48
Challenging 48-60
Difficult 60+
Difficult

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

⚡Rising Wages

Market conditions for retail trade in Winston-Salem are tougher than average. The 60.3 market score reflects a combination of moderate wages, mixed growth signals, and moderate competition. Rank: #256 of 378 metros.

Industry Concentration
58.5
LQ: 1.17
Rank #221 of 378 metros
Wage Competitiveness
58.2
$38,623 avg wage
Growth Trend
47.1
Employment growth index
Rank #201 of 378 metros
Wage Pressure
76.2
YoY wage change index

2,208 Retail Trade Firms in Winston-Salem

2,208
Establishments
-1.4% YoY
31,566
Total Employment
-0.4% YoY
$38,623
Average Annual Wage
+2.8% YoY
1.17
Location Quotient
Above national avg

Winston-Salem 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 Winston-Salem NC Statewide
Overall Score 60.3 Difficult 43.4 Elevated
Score Type Metro Market Score Entry Risk Score
Rank #256 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 Winston-Salem

Other Services 31.6 Information 34.6 Construction 35.4 Real Estate and Rental and Leasing 39.9 Accommodation and Food Services 53.4 Administrative and Support Services 62.8 Healthcare and Social Assistance 63.5 Finance and Insurance 77.7

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 Burlington 61.6 #274/378

+ 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 Winston-Salem's retail trade sector, the employment growth component (52.9) 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.