Shoe retailers
NAICS Code: 458200
BLS projects Shoe retailers to contract -4.1% through 2034 - 6.5 points slower than the 2.4% average across 291 U.S. industries, faster-growing than 18% of them. It ranks among the contracting industries projected through 2034.
Where Shoe retailers sits among all industries
Projected 2024–2034 growth across 291 U.S. industries (BLS). This industry is marked in rose.
Shoe retailers has projected growth of -4.1%. Distribution: 21 industries at -15--10%; 23 industries at -10--5%; 41 industries at -5-0%; 128 industries at 0-5%; 51 industries at 5-10%; 14 industries at 10-15%; 4 industries at 15-20%; 3 industries at 20-25%; 6 industries at 25-30%.
Industry Insight
The Shoe retailers industry is classified under NAICS code 458200 and employed approximately 169,900 workers in 2024 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections program. By 2034, BLS projects employment will reach 163,000 - a net change of -6,900 jobs over the decade. That works out to a -4.1% projected growth rate, a contraction reflecting structural change, automation, or shifting consumer demand.
NAICS 458200 sits within a broader sector ecosystem whose health depends on demographic trends, technology adoption curves, and policy decisions on immigration, tax incentives, and labor regulation. The occupation mix inside Shoe retailers determines how AI displacement risk filters down to individual workers, industries dominated by clerical and routine analytical roles face the steepest exposure, while those anchored in physical skill, patient care, or creative judgment retain stronger resilience. The projected decline here signals workers should proactively assess transferable skills and adjacent occupations with stronger outlooks.
Use this industry profile alongside our occupation rankings and employer AI risk grades to build a full picture. The BLS publishes detailed wage and employment figures for each sector in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics and Employment Projections programs. The BLS Employment Projections methodology blends input-output modeling, productivity forecasts, and occupational staffing patterns, so estimates are directional rather than precise, and industry-level outcomes depend heavily on macroeconomic conditions that evolve between projection cycles.
Peer Industries by Employment
How Shoe retailers (NAICS 458200) compares to industries of similar size, ordered by 2024 BLS employment.
| Industry | 2024 | Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Beer, wine, and liquor retailers | 172,100 | -2.3% |
| Spectator sports | 171,500 | +4.7% |
| Ambulance services | 170,500 | +3.7% |
| Shoe retailers | 169,900 | -4.1% |
| Other motor vehicle dealers | 169,000 | +5.0% |
| Dairy product manufacturing | 168,000 | +6.4% |
Peers are selected by similarity in 2024 employment. Figures in thousands. Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people work in Shoe retailers?
As of 2024, the Shoe retailers industry employs approximately 169,900 workers in the United States, according to BLS Employment Projections data.
Is Shoe retailers growing or declining?
The Shoe retailers industry is projected to decline by 4.1% from 2024 to 2034, a net change of -6,900 jobs over the decade.
What jobs are in the Shoe retailers industry?
The Shoe retailers industry (NAICS 458200) employs workers across a range of occupations. Browse the full occupations directory to see AI exposure scores, wage data, and growth projections for specific roles common in this industry.
How will AI affect the Shoe retailers industry?
AI impact on the Shoe retailers industry depends on the specific occupation mix. Industries with more routine data processing and clerical roles tend to have higher AI displacement risk, while those requiring physical labor, complex judgment, or creative work face lower risk. View occupation-level AI exposure scores for detailed analysis.
Career Guides
Explore More on PlainWorkforce
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 Employment figures in thousands. Data reflects projected changes over the 2024–2034 decade