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Small Specialty Retail Stores in the US - Market Research Report (2014-2029)

Matthew Buchko Matthew Buchko New York, United States Last Updated: November 2024 NAICS 45399

Revenue

$66.8bn

2024

$66.8bn

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

$XX.Xbn

Employees

316k

Businesses

157k

Wages

$X.Xbn

Small Specialty Retail Stores in the US industry analysis

The Small Specialty Retail Stores industry is driven by broad macroeconomic variables rather than product-specific trends. Still, individual segments do respond to specific shifts in consumer preferences. Over the past five years, rising per capita disposable income has sustained demand throughout the retail sector. A recovery from the pandemic boosted consumer spending and encouraged consumers to return to brick-and-mortar stores. Specialty retailers were relatively unaffected by coronavirus declines as high-income consumers and tobacco users, two significant markets for the industry, continued to spend. Competition from online and big-box retailers has risen, putting downward pressure on industry profit. Overall, industry revenue has expanded at a CAGR of 3.5% over the past five years, reaching an estimated $65.7 billion in 2023, when profit will comprise an estimated 5.2% of revenue.
Despite intensifying competition from discount department stores and online retailers, specialty retail store sales will rise an estimated 2.8% in 2023. Big-box stores offer a one-stop shopping experience with lower prices for similar products. External competition has driven underperforming retailers to exit the industry, leaving nonemployers and small retail stores with low barriers to entry. Still, rising demand has prompted the emergence of many new specialty retailers seeking to capitalize on the post pandemic trend of shopping locally and broader sustainability trends. Small retailers have maintained a strong customer base by offering a unique in-store experience and high-quality products.
Moving forward, small specialty retailers will continue expanding, albeit slower than in the previous five-year period. Over the next five years, revenue will swell at a CAGR of 2.8% to reach an estimated $81.4 billion in 2028. A rise in consumer spending and consumer confidence compounded by growing environmental awareness will support specialty retail store sales. Ongoing competition from large-scale retailers and declining smoking rates will mitigate specialty retailers' expansion.

Trends and Insights

  • E-cigarettes maintain sales for tobacco stores. Despite a steady dip in traditional cigarette smokers, e-cigarettes have created a new market of younger consumers.
  • The rising popularity of e-cigarettes is offsetting declines in traditional cigarette usage. Cigarette and tobacco retailers remain the most popular type of specialty retail store.
  • Specialty retail stores flock to population centers to maximize potential revenue. As the most populated region of the US, the Southeast holds more specialty stores than any other region.
  • Specialty retailers have contended with increasing competition from big box retailers. Large-scale department stores offer lower prices and a more convenient shopping experience.

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  • Market estimates from 2014-2029
  • Critical performance data and rankings
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Industry Statistics and Trends

Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)

Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 2.7 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $66.8bn in 2024.

Trends and Insights

The growing focus on sustainability benefits specialty retailers

  • Environmental consciousness is becoming an increasingly significant factor for consumers, driving many to prefer sustainable and ethically produced products, a trend that small specialty stores are well-positioned to leverage.
  • Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Small Specialty Retail Stores in the US
Revenue (2014-2029)
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Industry outlook (2024-2029)

Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.

Trends and Insights

Work-from-home will limit foot traffic to specialty retail stores

  • As many companies maintain fully remote or hybrid work policies, commuting rates will dwindle. Since specialty stores are often located in high-foot-traffic areas to attract consumers, fewer commuters will lessen specialty stores' visibility.

Biggest companies in the Small Specialty Retail Stores in the US

Company
Market Share (%)
2024
Revenue ($m)
2024
Profit ($m)
2024
Profit Margin (%)
2024
Leslie's Poolmart, Inc.
1,381.9
130.9
9.5
Williams-Sonoma, Inc.
401.2
58.8
14.6

To view the market share and analysis for all 2 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.

Products & Services Segmentation

Small Specialty Retail Stores in the US
Products & Services
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Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Tobacco products and smokers' accessories, Collectibles and used goods and Home and garden. Tobacco products and smokers' accessories is the largest segment of the Small Specialty Retail Stores in the US.

Trends and Insights

E-cigarettes keep tobacco product retailers afloat

  • These products include cigars, cigarettes, chewing tobacco, snuff and accessories like lighters, pipes, rolling papers, vaporizers and hookahs. Social and governmental efforts, including national antismoking campaigns and state excise taxes, have reduced the number of smokers.
  • More insights available in the full report

Table of Contents

About this industry

Industry definition

Industry operators retail specialized lines of goods: kitchenware, art supplies, cigarettes and cigars, collectors’ items, fireworks and trophies. This industry also includes general merchandise auction houses (except electronic auctions), but excludes mass merchandisers, department stores, grocery stores, warehouse clubs and supercenters.

What's included in this industry?

General merchandise Tobacco and tobacco productsArt suppliesCollectors' itemsFireworksCandlesHome goodsBooksSpecialized occupational supplies Sports equipment

Companies

Leslie's Poolmart, Inc.Williams-Sonoma, Inc.

Purchase this report to view all 2 major companies in this industry.

Related Terms

POINT-OF-SALEBRICK-AND-MORTAR STOREE-TAILERELECTRONIC DATA INTERCHANGEBIG-BOX STOREHOOKAHE-CIGARETTE

Industry Code

NAICS 2017

NAICS 45399 - Small Specialty Retail Stores in the US

Performance

Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.

Analyst insights

E-cigarettes maintain sales for tobacco stores. Despite a steady dip in traditional cigarette smokers, e-cigarettes have created a new market of younger consumers.

In this chapter (4)

  • Current Performance
  • Outlook
  • Volatility
  • Life Cycle

Key metrics

  • Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
  • Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
  • Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
  • Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business

Charts

  • Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
  • Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
  • Industry Life Cycle

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
  • Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
  • Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
  • How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.

Products and Markets

Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.

Analyst insight

The rising popularity of e-cigarettes is offsetting declines in traditional cigarette usage. Cigarette and tobacco retailers remain the most popular type of specialty retail ...

In this chapter

  • Products & Services
  • Major Markets

Key metrics

  • Largest market segment and value in 2024
  • Product innovation level

Charts

  • Products & services segmentation in 2024
  • Major market segmentation in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
  • Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
  • Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
  • Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services

Geographic Breakdown

Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.

Analyst insights

Specialty retail stores flock to population centers to maximize potential revenue. As the most populated region of the US, the Southeast holds more specialty stores than any ...

In this chapter (1)

  • Business Locations

Charts

  • Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each state
  • Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024

Tables

  • Number and share of establishments in each state in 2024
  • Number and share of revenue each state accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of wages each state accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of employees in each state in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Geographic spread of the industry across North America, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
  • Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage

Competitive Forces

Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.

Analyst insights

Specialty retailers have contended with increasing competition from big box retailers. Large-scale department stores offer lower prices and a more convenient shopping experie...

In this chapter (4)

  • Concentration
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Substitutes
  • Buyer & Supplier Analysis

Key metrics

  • Industry concentration level
  • Industry competition level and trend
  • Barriers to entry level and trend
  • Substitutes level and trend
  • Buyer power level and trend
  • Supplier power level and trend

Charts

  • Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
  • Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart

Detailed analysis

  • Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
  • Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
  • Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
  • Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
  • Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
  • Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
  • Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
  • Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
  • Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.

Companies

Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.

Analyst insights

No specialty retailer generates more than 5.0% of revenue. The nature of specialty retail keeps any company from expanding significantly since stores’ product portfolios are ...

In this chapter

  • Market Share Concentration
  • Companies
  • Company Spotlights

Charts

  • Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
  • Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
  • Overview of Leslie's Poolmart, Inc.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of Williams-Sonoma, Inc.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Description and key data for Leslie's Poolmart, Inc., and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for Williams-Sonoma, Inc., and factors influencing its performance in the industry

External Environment

Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.   

Analyst insights

Specialty retailers are subject to cigarette and tobacco product regulations. Tobacco products comprise more than one-third of specialty retail store sales.

In this chapter

  • External Drivers
  • Regulation & Policy
  • Assistance

Key metrics

  • Regulation & policy level and trend
  • Assistance level and trend

Charts

  • Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 
  • Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 

Detailed analysis

  • Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
  • Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
  • Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.

Financial Benchmarks

View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time. 

Analyst insights

Profit varies among specialty retailers since these stores sell a wide range of products. Different product lines carry distinct purchase costs and selling prices.

In this chapter

  • Cost Structure
  • Financial Ratios
  • Key Ratios

Key metrics

  • Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
  • Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
  • Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
  • Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio

Charts

  • Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Investment vs. share of economy

Data tables

  • Industry Multiples (2017-2022)
  • Industry Tax Structure (2017-2022)
  • Income Statement (2017-2022)
  • Balance Sheet (2017-2022)
  • Liquidity Ratios (2017-2022)
  • Coverage Ratios (2017-2022)
  • Leverage Ratios  (2017-2022)
  • Operating Ratios (2017-2022)
  • Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Average Wage (2014-2029)
  • Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
  • Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability 

Key Statistics

Industry Data

Data Tables

Including values and annual change:

  • Revenue (2014-2029)
  • IVA (2014-2029)
  • Establishments (2014-2029)
  • Enterprises (2014-2029)
  • Employment (2014-2029)
  • Exports (2014-2029)
  • Imports (2014-2029)
  • Wages (2014-2029)

Top Questions Answered

Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.

What is the market size of the Small Specialty Retail Stores in the US industry in United States in 2024?

The market size of the Small Specialty Retail Stores in the US industry in United States is $66.8bn in 2024.

How many businesses are there in the Small Specialty Retail Stores in the US industry in 2024?

There are 157k businesses in the Small Specialty Retail Stores in the US industry in United States, which has grown at a CAGR of 1.9 % between 2019 and 2024.

Has the Small Specialty Retail Stores in the US industry in United States grown or declined over the past 5 years?

The market size of the Small Specialty Retail Stores in the US industry in United States has been growing at a CAGR of 2.7 % between 2019 and 2024.

What is the forecast growth of the Small Specialty Retail Stores in the US industry in United States over the next 5 years?

Over the next five years, the Small Specialty Retail Stores in the US industry in United States is expected to grow.

What are the biggest companies in the Small Specialty Retail Stores in the US market in United States?

The biggest companies operating in the Small Specialty Retail Stores market in United States are Leslie's Poolmart, Inc. and Williams-Sonoma, Inc.

What does the Small Specialty Retail Stores in the US in United States include?

General merchandise and Tobacco and tobacco products are part of the Small Specialty Retail Stores in the US industry.

Which companies have the highest market share in the Small Specialty Retail Stores in the US in United States?

The company holding the most market share in United States is Leslie's Poolmart, Inc..

How competitive is the Small Specialty Retail Stores in the US industry in United States?

The level of competition is high and steady in the Small Specialty Retail Stores in the US industry in United States.

Related Industries

Widen your competitive advantage with related industries

Competitors

  • Jewelry Stores in the US
  • Department Stores in the US
  • Gift Shops & Card Stores in the US
  • Used Goods Stores in the US
  • Art Dealers in the US
  • E-Commerce & Online Auctions in the US
  • Mail Order in the US

Complementors

  • There are no industries to display.

International industries

  • Small Specialty Retail Stores in Canada
  • Tobacconists in the UK

View all industries in United States

Methodology

How are Alfabank-Adres reports created?

Alfabank-Adres has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.

Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for Alfabank-Adres readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of Alfabank-Adres’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.

Alfabank-Adres relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.

What data sources do Alfabank-Adres analysts use?

Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.

Key data sources in the US include: 

  • US Census Bureau
  • US Bureau of Labor Statistics
  • US International Trade Commission

Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.

These sources include:

  • Industry and trade associations
  • Industry federations or regulators
  • Major industry players annual or quarterly filings

Finally, Alfabank-Adres’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.

How does Alfabank-Adres forecast its data?

Alfabank-Adres’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.

Alfabank-Adres prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.

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