Valley retail sales climb 5.6% despite loss of more than 1,900 stores

Gross retail sales across the Rio Grande Valley increased by 5.6%, or nearly $325 million, in the first six months of 2025 when compared to the same time frame last year, according to the latest data from the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts released on Thursday. 

Retail activity is a key economic indicator because many communities rely on slices of local sales tax allocations to keep local government and its services afloat. 

Despite higher gross sales, the Rio Grande Valley lost more than 1,900 retail outlets over the year during the second quarter, which ended June 30. 

The Valley’s four-county region — Hidalgo, Cameron, Starr, and Willacy — did show moderate growth in gross retail sales compared to their 250 counterparts statewide, data shows. 

It was not immediately clear whether the existing retail outlets sold more merchandise or if inflation, the increased price of goods, contributed to the higher gross retail sales data. 

Hidalgo County alone lost about 1,000 retail outlets, but reported higher gross sales. It ended the second quarter with 7,107 establishments and $3.8 billion in sales, up from $3.5 billion in 2024.

Cameron County lost 697 retailers over the year as of June 30, but its gross retail sales still increased from $1.61 billion to $1.68 billion. 

Willacy County lost 36 establishments, dropping from 168 to 132, but it also grew in terms of gross sales from $29.3 million to $29.6 million. 

Starr County lost 86 retailers, dipping from 549 to 463 outlets, but it also grew gross sales from $166 million to $176 million. 

About 30 counties across Texas — most of which had fewer than 1,000 retail establishments — saw double-digit retail sales growth for the year ending June 30. 

Guadalupe County is among the larger counties with significant retail sales growth. There was a 23% increase over the year, with 2,300 retailers. Brazoria County experienced a 10% increase in retail sales across 4,300 retailers. However, both of these counties also lost retail outlets, about 300 and 500, respectively. 

More than 100 Texas counties experienced a decline in retail sales growth and the number of retail outlets when comparing the second quarter of 2024 to 2025. 

Notably, Nueces County had a 0.40% decline in gross retail sales to $1.77 billion, while it also lost 471 retail outlets. 

El Paso was among the hardest hit Texas-Mexico border communities. 

Its retail sales dropped 4.3% over the year from $3.8 billion to $3.6 billion, and saw a loss of 780 retail outlets for a total of 6,393 as of June 2025. 

For a breakdown of the McAllen-Edinburg-Mission metro area, check out this chart. And for the Brownsville-Harlingen metro here, see this chart.