County’s Retail Sales 15th Highest in U.S.

Orange County is the 15th most populous metropolitan region in the country, and ranks 14th in total after-tax income. So it’s hardly surprising that the county’s total retail sales are the 15th highest in the United States.

But how does the county stack up in, say, total grocery and food sales? Eleventh in the nation, according to Market Statistics, a New York research firm. Orange County also ranks 10th in sales of major household appliances, and in audio equipment, musical instrument and supply sales.

The county’s highest ranking of all the general retail categories is in computer hardware, software and supply sales--we’re seventh. That makes sense, given that Orange County is a hub of high-tech industry.

Could it be, though, that all those computer nerds aren’t getting enough rest? The county’s lowest ranking, 21st, is in sales of furniture and sleep equipment.

* Patrice Apodaca covers economic issues for The Times. She can be reached at (714) 966-5979 and at patrice.apodaca@latimes.com.