Consumer Goods

Exclusive brands, highest quality.

Vermont’s specialty retail products–from hand sewn teddy bears to plush flannel shirts to finely crafted furniture–have a reputation for the highest quality and enjoy a loyal following in New England and around the world.

69.5K

DIRECT RETAIL EMPLOYMENT (2020)

10,000+

retail establishments (2020)

2.2$ billion

retail labor income (2020)

2.43%

of Vermont GDP

Consumer goods and sales are part of the backbone
of Vermont’s economy.

Vermont’s retail and consumer goods businesses support over 69,000 jobs and bring in more than $2 billion in labor income.

Vermont’s specialty retail products–from maple syrup infused spirits to plush flannel shirts to finely crafted furniture–have a reputation for the highest quality and enjoy a loyal following in New England and around the world. 

Consumer goods and sales are part of the backbone of Vermont’s economy, supporting almost 70,000 jobs and bringing in more than $2.2 billion in labor income. Over 10,000 retail businesses thrive in Vermont, such as Danforth Pewter, making and selling quality pewter goods and art in Vermont. Find more Vermont retail businesses. 

Burlington’s Church Street Marketplace is a hub for quality goods and specialty retail. Vermont’s historic downtowns are all home to unique shopping experiences. More than 50,000 of Vermont’s small businesses have 20 employees or fewer; many are owned by sole proprietors. Vermont’s traditional retail offers a one-of-a-kind experience for Vermonters and visitors alike, offering relaxation and personal service and creating long-lasting customer relationships. 

Classic general stores carry a treasure trove of product ranges curated by knowledgeable owners.  

Vermont fosters entrepreneurialism. Take companies like Vermont Teddy Bear, which got its start on Burlington’s Church Street Marketplace selling teddy bears from a wheeled cart, or Ben & Jerry’s, inventing and scooping its first creations in a renovated gas station and finding global success. New Vermont businesses are incubating around the state, such as Renoun Skis, making tracks in the ski industry with new and innovative models.  

Vermont values form the bedrock for socially responsible and sustainability-focused companies to thrive, like Seventh Generation, focusing on high standards in transparency and safe ingredientsMany of our consumer goods and specialty retail businesses promote a balanced triple bottom line, where people, planet, and profits all receive the same high priorityRead more about Vermont’s many triple bottom line businesses. 

woman hands a customer a Ben and Jerry's ice cream cone

Interested in the consumer goods industry but don’t know where to start?

Vermont Businesses Are Hiring:

Consumer Goods in Vermont

Meet the Maple Sugarmaker: Baird Farm

Meet the Maple Sugarmaker: Baird Farm

Is there anything more Vermont than making maple syrup?  We all look forward to those warmer winter days and cold nights because we know the maple...

Buy Local Vermont

#BuyLocalVermont was created by the state to give an economic boost to local retail businesses, restaurants, and lodging establishments impacted by Covid-19. Over 90% of participating businesses received money from the program. Hear from some local businesses that saw increased business as consumers participated in #BuyLocalVermont.

Representative Consumer Goods Organizations in Vermont

Here’s a sample of just a few businesses throughout the state:

Region
Location
Southern
Springfield
Northwest
Burlington
Central
Bradford
Central
Northfield
Southern
Castleton
Northeast
Derby
Southern
Forrest Dale
Southern
Sunderland
Southern
East Thetford
Northwest
Burlington
Northwest
Burlington
Southern
Windsor
Northwest
Burlington