DC is experiencing an influx of new retail stores, including high-end retailers ideal for attracting tourists. However, with the rise of branded stores the District's mom-and-pop stores are taking a hit. District Measured examined the change using data from the US Census Bureau. While stores with fewer than 20 employees still make up more than 85% of DC's retail stores, the decline since 1998 is outpacing the nation. At the same time we've seen a 50% increase for big-box retailers with 100 to 249 employees and 250 or more employees, also outpacing the nation. If the pattern continues, it's only a matter of time before DC, which has been known for its diverse smaller retail establishments, catches up to the rest of the nation in number of big-box retailers. [DM]
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