The dairy industry has a powerful economic impact – $628 billion in total – on the American economy. As part of this support, the dairy industry contributes to unique industries across the nation, like retailing.

The American retailing industry relies on support from dairy companies in three ways. First, dairy products are sold in tens of thousands of stores ranging from supermarkets to convenience stores, department stores, specialized dairy stores and dollar stores. Second, American retail workers benefit when dairy companies purchase supplies at local retailers. These purchases can include products like office supplies, coffee, bottled water and even birthday cakes for office celebrations. Third, employees of dairy companies and their suppliers frequent retailers in their communities to purchase a wide variety of consumer products.

The dairy industry directly supports thousands of retailers and their employees who are responsible for stocking and selling products like milk, cheese and ice cream to consumers. Nearly 740,000 retail employee jobs are created thanks to dairy product sales. When dairy manufacturers, wholesalers and dairy retailers buy products from other retailers, it helps the retailing industry support more than 29,000 jobs every year. When dairy professionals and supplier firm employees go shopping, it also helps the retail industry create 122,400 additional jobs.

All told, the dairy industry is responsible for more than 891,000 retail jobs, or nearly six percent of all jobs in the retail industry.

Overall, the dairy industry creates almost $54.9 billion in economic impact in retailing and supports $26.3 billion in wages for American’s retail workers.

Dairy Delivers®

IDFA is sharing these deep dives into the data of Dairy Delivers®, its economic impact tool, to demonstrate dairy’s economic power and its ripple effect on other American industries.

Access IDFA’s Dairy Delivers® here.

Members with questions may contact Dave Carlin, IDFA senior vice president of legislative affairs and economic policy, at dcarlin@idfa.org.