Retail Trade in Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC
Metro Market Score 62.9 (Difficult), ranked #286 of 378 metros. 937 establishments, 13,333 jobs.
Metro Market Assessment
Lower is better. Relative to national retail trade average.
With a 1.63 location quotient, Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal has an outsized retail trade presence relative to its population. That concentration (index: 98.2) creates a mature local market where supplier networks are established but differentiation matters more.
937 Retail Trade Firms in Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal
Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal vs South Carolina Statewide
How this metro's retail trade market compares to South Carolina overall. The state ranks #30/51 for entry risk.
| Measure | Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal | SC Statewide |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Score | 62.9 Difficult | 44.3 Elevated |
| Score Type | Metro Market Score | Entry Risk Score |
| Rank | #286 of 378 metros | #30 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 Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal
Retail Trade in Other South Carolina Metros
Retail Trade Metros With Similar Conditions
Metros within 5 points of Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal's 62.9 score. Useful when comparing markets with comparable entry profiles.
Retail Trade in States Bordering South Carolina
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 Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC MSA area.
Data period: 2024. Last updated: April 2026.