According to Capital One Shopping Research, global retail sales are projected to reach $31.3 trillion in 2025, driven by steady consumer demand and the continuing rise of e-commerce worldwide. Moreover, as reported by Capital One Shopping and Bizplanr, online shopping accounted for more than $6 trillion in sales in 2024 and is expected to approach $9 trillion by 2030, showing how digital platforms now play a central role in global retail growth.
In the United States, retail is one of the largest and most stable sectors of the economy. The National Retail Federation forecasts that total U.S. retail sales in 2025 will reach between $5.42 trillion and $5.48 trillion, representing a growth rate of 2.7 percent to 3.7 percent over 2024. In addition, data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows that e-commerce sales reached $304.2 billion in the second quarter of 2025, accounting for 16.3 percent of total retail sales. Furthermore, as reported by Reuters, monthly figures confirm this steady trend: in July 2025, overall U.S. retail sales rose 0.5 percent, with online sales climbing 0.8 percent during the same period.
Retail businesses are often a practical fit for the E-2 Treaty Investor category because they are real, operating enterprises with clear revenue and hiring potential. According to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the E-2 classification lets a national of a treaty country be admitted based on investing a substantial amount of capital in a bona fide U.S. business and entering to develop and direct that enterprise. Moreover, the investor must be a national of a treaty country, must own at least 50 percent of the business or otherwise have control of it, and must ensure that the enterprise is not marginal, meaning it has the capacity to generate more than a minimal living for the investor and family.
In addition, filing instructions for E-2 applicants emphasize several proof points that retail ventures can document well: funds must be at risk, the business must be real and operating (not idle or speculative), and the investment should be sufficient to ensure the enterprise’s success relative to its costs. Typical evidence includes leases, inventory purchases, payroll plans, and operating contracts, which are common in retail.
E-2 Visa Requirements for Retail Businesses
To qualify for an E-2 Treaty Investor Visa, an investor in a retail business must meet all of the following requirements:
- Nationality
The investor must be a citizen of a country that maintains a treaty of commerce and navigation with the United States. - Substantial Investment
The investor must have already invested or be actively in the process of investing a substantial amount of capital in the retail business. There is no set minimum, but the amount must be sufficient to ensure the business’s success in proportion to its overall cost. - At Risk Investment
The investment must be at risk in the commercial sense. This means the capital must be subject to partial or total loss if the business fails. - Real and Operating Enterprise
The business must be real, active, and producing goods or services for profit. A functioning retail operation with premises, inventory, and customer activity is considered real and operating. - Develop and Direct the Enterprise
The investor must come to the United States to develop and direct the enterprise. This requirement is generally met by owning at least 50 percent of the business or by holding a position that provides operational control. - Not Marginal
The business must not be marginal. It should have the present or future capacity to generate more than enough income to provide for the investor and family, or it should create jobs for U.S. workers. - Lawful Source of Funds
The investor must demonstrate that the funds used for the investment were obtained through legal means, such as earnings, savings, or loans secured by personal assets. - Proper Filing
Investors applying from within the United States must file Form I-129, Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker, to request E-2 classification. Those applying from outside the United States must follow the U.S. Department of State’s application process through a U.S. consulate.
Tips for E-2 Retail Investors
- Choose a retail concept with demonstrable demand
Select a retail business that meets a clear market need in the U.S., whether a convenience store, boutique, or specialty shop. Support your choice with local market research, customer demographics, and competitor analysis. This helps prove the business is real, operating, and has growth potential. - Secure a visible location or digital storefront
A signed lease, store build-out, or fully operational e-commerce site strengthens your case. For brick-and-mortar, photographs, permits, and contracts show consular officers the business is tangible. For online retail, functioning websites and sales platforms demonstrate the enterprise is active. - Commit funds to inventory and fixtures
In retail, inventory is a key marker of investment at risk. Purchase stock, shelving, point-of-sale systems, or display equipment before applying. Receipts and invoices are concrete proof that your capital is already deployed in the business. - Document supplier and distribution relationships
Provide contracts or invoices with wholesalers, distributors, or shipping partners. These demonstrate that the retail operation is integrated into supply chains and prepared for continuous activity. - Highlight employment plans
Retail businesses often hire clerks, cashiers, stockers, or customer service staff. Including projected payroll and job descriptions shows the business will not be marginal and will contribute to U.S. employment. - Show marketing and customer outreach
Retail success depends on visibility. Include examples of advertising campaigns, social media presence, promotions, or loyalty programs. This demonstrates the business is designed to generate sales beyond subsistence. - Maintain strong record-keeping
Keep clear financial records for purchases, sales, and supplier payments. Retail transactions can produce a high volume of receipts and invoices, which consular officers may view as strong evidence of an active and genuine enterprise.
Conclusion
Retail businesses align closely with the requirements of the E-2 Treaty Investor Visa because they are active, customer-facing enterprises that naturally involve investment, operations, and employment. The global retail sector continues to expand, and U.S. retail sales remain strong, offering a stable environment for foreign entrepreneurs. By committing capital to a real and operating business, maintaining detailed records, and demonstrating the ability to grow beyond subsistence, retail investors can present a strong case for approval. For many applicants, the E-2 visa provides both a pathway to manage a U.S. retail venture and an opportunity to contribute to the country’s economy.
Sources
- Capital One Shopping. https://capitaloneshopping.com/research/retail-statistics
- Bizplanr. https://bizplanr.ai/blog/retail-industry-statistics
- National Retail Federation.https://nrf.com/media-center/press-releases/nrf-forecasts-2025-retail-sales-to-hit-5-42-trillion-despite-economic-uncertainty
- U.S. Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/retail/mrts/www/data/pdf/ec_current.pdf
- Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/sustainable-finance-reporting/automobiles-promotions-bolster-rise-us-retail-sales-july-2025-08-15