GITNUXREPORT 2025

Consumer Retail Industry Statistics

Retail industry shifts towards e-commerce, personalization, sustainability, and automation.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

Our Commitment to Accuracy

Rigorous fact-checking • Reputable sources • Regular updatesLearn more

Statistic 1

The average U.S. household spends about $5,129 annually on retail goods and services

Statistic 2

Approximately 63% of shoppers research products online before making an in-store purchase

Statistic 3

Mobile commerce sales accounted for 72.9% of all e-commerce sales in 2021

Statistic 4

73% of consumers say customer experience is an important factor in their purchasing decisions

Statistic 5

The top reason customers switch retailers is poor customer service, cited by 58% of consumers

Statistic 6

About 60% of retail sales in the U.S. are made via physical stores

Statistic 7

45% of shoppers’ purchasing decisions are influenced by social media

Statistic 8

68% of consumers prefer to shop at brands that are environmentally friendly

Statistic 9

In 2022, the average return rate for online apparel purchases was around 20%, higher than other categories

Statistic 10

58% of U.S. consumers shop at discount stores, with the lowest-income households more likely to do so

Statistic 11

The omnichannel retail customer lifetime value is 30% higher than single-channel customers

Statistic 12

70% of consumers are willing to pay more for same-day or next-day delivery

Statistic 13

52% of retail consumers prefer personalized shopping experiences

Statistic 14

The average time spent shopping online per visit is about 15 minutes

Statistic 15

Approximately 85% of smartphone users in the US use their devices to shop or compare products while in-store

Statistic 16

The average annual spend on fashion per person in the US is around $590

Statistic 17

Approximately 65% of consumers prefer buying from brands that are transparent about sourcing and manufacturing

Statistic 18

42% of consumers abandoned a purchase due to high shipping costs or long delivery times

Statistic 19

The average duration from checkout to delivery for online retail orders is about 4.5 days

Statistic 20

50% of consumers are more likely to shop with brands that offer flexible payment options like buy-now-pay-later

Statistic 21

The percentage of retail shoppers dissatisfied with store cleanliness or safety measures increased by 15% during 2020-2021, reflecting heightened health concerns

Statistic 22

41% of retail shoppers say product availability and in-stock positions influence their loyalty to a retailer

Statistic 23

62% of consumers prefer to buy from brands that align with their personal values, including sustainability and ethics

Statistic 24

In 2023, curbside pickup became available at 85% of major retail chains, supporting convenience shopping

Statistic 25

55% of retail consumers globally prefer brands that offer eco-friendly packaging

Statistic 26

70% of Gen Z consumers prefer brands that support social issues, influencing retail marketing strategies

Statistic 27

In 2022, approximately 30% of retail transactions involved cryptocurrencies or digital currencies, highlighting growing acceptance

Statistic 28

The global retail market was valued at approximately $25.04 trillion in 2021

Statistic 29

E-commerce sales worldwide reached $4.9 trillion in 2021, representing 19.5% of global retail sales

Statistic 30

Retail employment in the U.S. was about 15.7 million people in 2022

Statistic 31

Private-label products account for approximately 20% of total retail sales worldwide

Statistic 32

The retail industry in China has grown by an average of 10.7% annually over the past decade

Statistic 33

Online grocery shopping increased by 54% in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic

Statistic 34

Nearly 80 million US households shopped online for groceries in 2022, up from 59 million in 2019

Statistic 35

The average retail store size in the US is approximately 18,000 square feet

Statistic 36

Subscription-based retail services have seen a 100% growth rate in the past five years

Statistic 37

Millennials are responsible for 40% of all retail spending, making them a key demographic

Statistic 38

The global luxury retail market was valued at $383 billion in 2021, with Asia-Pacific accounting for nearly 37%

Statistic 39

During 2021, social commerce sales worldwide reached $492 billion, expected to grow to $1.2 trillion by 2025

Statistic 40

The percentage of retail stores adopting cashless payments increased to 71% in 2022, up from 55% in 2019

Statistic 41

The retail robotics market is projected to reach $2.4 billion by 2026, driven by automation and efficiency needs

Statistic 42

The pandemic accelerated online retail growth by an average of 11.4 years in terms of digital adaptation

Statistic 43

In 2023, sustainable retail accounted for approximately 23% of the global retail industry, indicating a significant shift towards eco-friendly practices

Statistic 44

The global retail wearable technology market is expected to reach $65 billion by 2027, driven by health tracking and personalization

Statistic 45

The global organic food retail market was valued at $164 billion in 2020, with strong growth driven by health-conscious consumers

Statistic 46

Approximately 35% of retailers use AI-driven chatbots to improve customer service

Statistic 47

The retail industry’s use of augmented reality (AR) for virtual try-ons increased by 35% in 2022, enhancing customer engagement

Statistic 48

Retail automation through AI and robotics is projected to generate efficiencies saving up to $80 billion annually globally by 2030

Statistic 49

The fastest-growing retail segments include health and wellness products, with a CAGR of 8.4% predicted through 2025

Statistic 50

Retail sales driven by sales promotions increased by 22.5% in 2022, indicating strong promotional impact

Statistic 51

The top three online retail categories by sales are electronics, fashion, and health & beauty products

Statistic 52

The average number of SKUs per retail store in the U.S. is approximately 25,000, indicating diversity in product offerings

Slide 1 of 52

Sources

Our Reports have been cited by:

Trust Badges - Publications that have cited our reports

Key Highlights

The global retail market was valued at approximately $25.04 trillion in 2021
E-commerce sales worldwide reached $4.9 trillion in 2021, representing 19.5% of global retail sales
The average U.S. household spends about $5,129 annually on retail goods and services
Approximately 63% of shoppers research products online before making an in-store purchase
Mobile commerce sales accounted for 72.9% of all e-commerce sales in 2021
73% of consumers say customer experience is an important factor in their purchasing decisions
Retail employment in the U.S. was about 15.7 million people in 2022
The top reason customers switch retailers is poor customer service, cited by 58% of consumers
Private-label products account for approximately 20% of total retail sales worldwide
About 60% of retail sales in the U.S. are made via physical stores
The retail industry in China has grown by an average of 10.7% annually over the past decade
Online grocery shopping increased by 54% in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic
Nearly 80 million US households shopped online for groceries in 2022, up from 59 million in 2019

The retail industry is undergoing a seismic shift, as digital innovation, sustainability concerns, and evolving consumer preferences drive global sales to a staggering $25 trillion and reshape how, where, and why we shop.

Consumer Behavior and Preferences

The average U.S. household spends about $5,129 annually on retail goods and services
Approximately 63% of shoppers research products online before making an in-store purchase
Mobile commerce sales accounted for 72.9% of all e-commerce sales in 2021
73% of consumers say customer experience is an important factor in their purchasing decisions
The top reason customers switch retailers is poor customer service, cited by 58% of consumers
About 60% of retail sales in the U.S. are made via physical stores
45% of shoppers’ purchasing decisions are influenced by social media
68% of consumers prefer to shop at brands that are environmentally friendly
In 2022, the average return rate for online apparel purchases was around 20%, higher than other categories
58% of U.S. consumers shop at discount stores, with the lowest-income households more likely to do so
The omnichannel retail customer lifetime value is 30% higher than single-channel customers
70% of consumers are willing to pay more for same-day or next-day delivery
52% of retail consumers prefer personalized shopping experiences
The average time spent shopping online per visit is about 15 minutes
Approximately 85% of smartphone users in the US use their devices to shop or compare products while in-store
The average annual spend on fashion per person in the US is around $590
Approximately 65% of consumers prefer buying from brands that are transparent about sourcing and manufacturing
42% of consumers abandoned a purchase due to high shipping costs or long delivery times
The average duration from checkout to delivery for online retail orders is about 4.5 days
50% of consumers are more likely to shop with brands that offer flexible payment options like buy-now-pay-later
The percentage of retail shoppers dissatisfied with store cleanliness or safety measures increased by 15% during 2020-2021, reflecting heightened health concerns
41% of retail shoppers say product availability and in-stock positions influence their loyalty to a retailer
62% of consumers prefer to buy from brands that align with their personal values, including sustainability and ethics
In 2023, curbside pickup became available at 85% of major retail chains, supporting convenience shopping
55% of retail consumers globally prefer brands that offer eco-friendly packaging
70% of Gen Z consumers prefer brands that support social issues, influencing retail marketing strategies

Consumer Behavior and Preferences Interpretation

With consumers spending over $5,000 annually on retail, their loyalty hinges increasingly on seamless digital experiences, ethical values, and rapid delivery—highlighting that modern retail success demands more than just in-store presence; it requires understanding that shoppers expect personalization, transparency, and convenience at every click and curbside pickup.

Customer Behavior and Preferences

In 2022, approximately 30% of retail transactions involved cryptocurrencies or digital currencies, highlighting growing acceptance

Customer Behavior and Preferences Interpretation

With nearly a third of retail transactions in 2022 embracing cryptocurrencies, the retail industry is undeniably cashing in on digital currencies' rising tide of acceptance—proof that the future of shopping is truly in the virtual wallet.

Market Size and Growth

The global retail market was valued at approximately $25.04 trillion in 2021
E-commerce sales worldwide reached $4.9 trillion in 2021, representing 19.5% of global retail sales
Retail employment in the U.S. was about 15.7 million people in 2022
Private-label products account for approximately 20% of total retail sales worldwide
The retail industry in China has grown by an average of 10.7% annually over the past decade
Online grocery shopping increased by 54% in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic
Nearly 80 million US households shopped online for groceries in 2022, up from 59 million in 2019
The average retail store size in the US is approximately 18,000 square feet
Subscription-based retail services have seen a 100% growth rate in the past five years
Millennials are responsible for 40% of all retail spending, making them a key demographic
The global luxury retail market was valued at $383 billion in 2021, with Asia-Pacific accounting for nearly 37%
During 2021, social commerce sales worldwide reached $492 billion, expected to grow to $1.2 trillion by 2025
The percentage of retail stores adopting cashless payments increased to 71% in 2022, up from 55% in 2019
The retail robotics market is projected to reach $2.4 billion by 2026, driven by automation and efficiency needs
The pandemic accelerated online retail growth by an average of 11.4 years in terms of digital adaptation
In 2023, sustainable retail accounted for approximately 23% of the global retail industry, indicating a significant shift towards eco-friendly practices
The global retail wearable technology market is expected to reach $65 billion by 2027, driven by health tracking and personalization
The global organic food retail market was valued at $164 billion in 2020, with strong growth driven by health-conscious consumers

Market Size and Growth Interpretation

With e-commerce now commanding nearly one-fifth of global retail sales and social commerce projected to triple by 2025, the retail industry is clearly navigating a high-speed digital transformation—where millennials' spending power, sustainability moves, and robotic helpers are all shaping a future that’s as smart as it is savvy.

Retail Technology and Innovation

Approximately 35% of retailers use AI-driven chatbots to improve customer service
The retail industry’s use of augmented reality (AR) for virtual try-ons increased by 35% in 2022, enhancing customer engagement
Retail automation through AI and robotics is projected to generate efficiencies saving up to $80 billion annually globally by 2030

Retail Technology and Innovation Interpretation

With over a third of retailers deploying AI chatbots, a 35% surge in AR try-ons, and automation promising $80 billion in annual savings by 2030, the retail industry is undeniably lacing its shopping carts with a dose of digital savvy—making consumer experience smarter, more engaging, and economically sharper.

Segment-specific Trends and Insights

The fastest-growing retail segments include health and wellness products, with a CAGR of 8.4% predicted through 2025
Retail sales driven by sales promotions increased by 22.5% in 2022, indicating strong promotional impact
The top three online retail categories by sales are electronics, fashion, and health & beauty products
The average number of SKUs per retail store in the U.S. is approximately 25,000, indicating diversity in product offerings

Segment-specific Trends and Insights Interpretation

As health and wellness bask in double-digit growth, savvy retailers amass a treasure trove of 25,000 SKUs to cater to diverse consumer cravings, while a 22.5% spike in promotional sales underscores that in retail, sometimes a good deal is the best prescription.