Retail plays a major role in support of the Washington State economy.

Nearly 400,000 people work for retailers across the state. The industry supports one in four American jobs and is the nation’s largest private-sector employer.

In Washington State:

  • The retail industry has generated steadily increasing annual sales that generate tax revenues to the state. It set a record of $210.1 billion in taxable retail sales in 2022.
  • Retail sale and use taxes generate slightly more than half the state’s general fund budget for services to taxpayers.
  • Employment in retail has steadily grown in recent years. The retail industry employed 400,100 individuals statewide, as of January 2022.

State Facts & Figures

State Budget

Retailers generate about half of the state’s general operating fund from sales taxes. Sources: Office of Financial Management; Employment Security; Revenue Department

Statewide Employment

The industry employed about 400,000 workers at the beginning of 2023. Sources: Office of Financial Management; Employment Security; Revenue Department

Sales In Stores

87% of all retail sales still occur in physical stores. Sources: Office of Financial Management; Employment Security; Revenue Department

Record Retail Sales

Shoppers generated a record $210 billion in state taxable retail sales in 2022. Sources: Revenue Department

Federal Facts & Figures

One in Four Jobs

The retail industry supports one in four jobs across the nation. Source: National Retail Federation

Largest Private Sector Employer

As the nation’s largest private sector employer, retail contributes $2.6 trillion to the annual Gross Domestic Product, the monetary value of all finished goods and services products in the U.S.…
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Most Retailers Are Small

98 percent of retailers are small businesses with fewer than 50 employees. Source: National Retail Federation

Sales Increase Annually

National retail sales have grown annually for each of the past 15 years, averaging 3 percent annual growth during that time. Source: National Retail Federation