Retail industry

Retail In Parramatta

The City of Parramatta’s retail trade sector is worth $1.3 billion. It employed 10,912 workers in 2022–23. With more than 200,000 square metres in retail floor space and the equally largest Westfield in New South Wales, Parramatta is already a major retail destination.

More than half of Parramatta’s retail trade sector opportunities are outside food and beverage, and fashion retailing. 

Parramatta’s retail strips extend beyond Westfield and into the CBD and surrounding neighbourhoods. Destinations such as Eat Street on Church Street, Carlingford Court and  Winston Hills generate significant retail activity for the City. 

Although employment in Parramatta’s retail sector has declined over the last 15 years, this is on par with trends across New South Wales. Factors such as online shopping have impacted consumer behaviour globally. 

Despite this, output over the same time period has increased steadily. Parramatta’s growing population, increasing visitor economy, expanding workforce and investment boom are driving the retail trade industry.

The visitor economy in Parramatta

Around 1.27 million people visit Parramatta each year. This provides significant retail opportunities in the City. 

Major music festivals, sporting fixtures, cultural venues and recreational activities already make Parramatta an attractive tourist destination.

This includes several major Council-sponsored events that are estimated to have brought more than 250-thousand visitors annually:

• Parramatta Lanes
• Naidoc
• Sydney Festival
• Christmas
• New Year’s Eve
• Australia Day
• Lunar New Year

Population and employment growth

Future Retail Sector Growth and Parramatta's Population

Parramatta’s retail trade sector is projected to remain a robust and growing industry due to three key drivers of growth:

• Population growth
• Employment growth
• City developments

More than 260,000 people call Parramatta home. Our population is expected to almost double by 2041, presenting huge opportunities for business and job growth.

By 2036, 113,000 extra jobs are expected to be created in the Parramatta region. 

City developments

The City of Parramatta is undergoing unprecedented growth. Here are some of the major developments in the City that are expected to impact and stimulate the local economy:

In 2025, Council welcomes the opening of Powerhouse Parramatta, a landmark State cultural institution which will attract over 2 million visitors to Parramatta per year. The University of Sydney and University of New South Wales campuses will attract a young and vibrant student population. 

CommBank Stadium is a 30,000 seat stadium in Parramatta made for the fans. The stadium brings fans closer to the action than ever before in Australia. The Stadium s operator VenuesLive, in conjunction with the owner of the Stadium Venues NSW, as well as sporting clubs, codes and entertainment promoters hosts a range of events that engage communities across NSW. Featuring the steepest grandstands in Australia, CommBank Stadium creates an unparalleled live event experience whether it be for sport and entertainment or cultural, community and business events.

Light rail, Metro West and WestConnex infrastructure developments improving accessibility into and within Parramatta. More than 21 mixed-use developments are in the development pipeline, which would add an extra 170,000 square metres of commercial space to the CBD, of which, 5-10%  could have retail use.