GITNUXREPORT 2025

Department Store Industry Statistics

Global department store industry worth $1.2 trillion, experiencing growth and digital transformation.

Jannik Linder

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

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

Foot traffic in department stores declined by 30% during the COVID-19 pandemic from 2019 to 2021.

Statistic 2

Customer satisfaction scores for department stores in the US averaged 75 out of 100 in 2023.

Statistic 3

The largest demographic of department store shoppers in the US is aged 35-44.

Statistic 4

The adoption rate of contactless payment options in department stores reached 85% in 2023.

Statistic 5

The median age of department store shoppers in Europe is 45 years old.

Statistic 6

The majority of department store shoppers (65%) prefer shopping in stores rather than online.

Statistic 7

The share of millennial shoppers in department stores increased by 12% from 2020 to 2023.

Statistic 8

Department stores with an omnichannel strategy have seen a 25% higher customer retention rate.

Statistic 9

The percentage of mobile app users for department store brands hit 65% in 2023.

Statistic 10

The use of virtual fitting rooms in department stores has increased by 40% since 2021.

Statistic 11

Customer return rates in department stores are around 15% on average, with higher rates during holiday seasons.

Statistic 12

Department stores that incorporate experiential retail elements see a 20% increase in shopper engagement.

Statistic 13

The online loyalty program enrollment rate in department stores is over 50%, up from 30% in 2020.

Statistic 14

The percentage of consumers who prefer shopping at large department stores over specialty stores is 55%.

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The average number of in-store events hosted by department stores per year is 8.

Statistic 16

The use of augmented reality in department stores for product displays increased by 35% in 2022 and 2023.

Statistic 17

The United States has over 5,500 department stores across the country.

Statistic 18

Macy's is the largest department store chain in the United States with over 500 stores.

Statistic 19

The employment in department stores in the US fell by 12% from 2018 to 2022.

Statistic 20

Up to 60% of department stores in Europe have closed or restructured since 2015.

Statistic 21

The number of department store chains in North America has decreased by 40% over the past decade.

Statistic 22

The number of discount and outlet department stores has increased by 10% globally since 2019.

Statistic 23

The average number of checkout points per department store is approximately 10.

Statistic 24

Across the globe, department stores employ over 2 million workers.

Statistic 25

The number of department store locations has decreased by approximately 50% worldwide since 2015.

Statistic 26

The global department store industry is valued at approximately $1.2 trillion as of 2023.

Statistic 27

The department store segment accounts for roughly 10% of total retail sales in the US.

Statistic 28

The average revenue per department store in the US was approximately $45 million in 2023.

Statistic 29

The top five department store chains in the US control about 70% of the market share.

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The average store size for department stores in the US is approximately 150,000 square feet.

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Department store retail sales in China reached approximately $150 billion in 2023.

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The average shelf space allocated to fast-moving consumer goods in department stores is around 25%.

Statistic 33

The average annual marketing expenditure for a department store chain is around $2 million.

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The average customer lifetime value (CLV) for department store shoppers is estimated at $1,200.

Statistic 35

Department store sales contributed approximately 8% to overall retail sales in the US in 2023.

Statistic 36

Department store advertising spend on digital channels accounts for around 60% of total marketing expenditure.

Statistic 37

The rapid growth of discount department stores was driven by increased consumer demand for value-oriented shopping.

Statistic 38

Online sales of department store brands increased by 15% in 2022.

Statistic 39

The e-commerce share of department store sales reached nearly 20% in 2023.

Statistic 40

Fashion apparel remains the leading product category sold in department stores, accounting for 35% of sales.

Statistic 41

The growth rate of mobile shopping in department stores is projected at 22% annually through 2025.

Statistic 42

The luxury department store segment grew by 8% in global sales in 2023.

Statistic 43

Special promotions and discounts increase overall department store sales by approximately 12% during holiday seasons.

Statistic 44

Cross-category marketing in department stores has led to a 10% increase in customer spending.

Statistic 45

Approximately 40% of department store sales are generated by loyalty program members.

Statistic 46

The decline in department store sales in Japan is around 15% annually since 2018.

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The rise of private label brands in department stores accounts for 18% of total sales in 2023.

Statistic 48

Inventory turnover rates in department stores average 4.5 times per year.

Statistic 49

The average price discount offered during clearance sales in department stores is approximately 50%.

Statistic 50

The share of personal care and beauty products in department store sales increased by 5% during 2021-2023.

Statistic 51

The average profit margin for department stores is around 4%, making it a low-margin retail sector.

Statistic 52

The productivity per employee in department stores averaged $150,000 annually in 2023.

Statistic 53

The percentage of revenue generated from online channels in department stores increased by 18% from 2021 to 2023.

Statistic 54

The percentage of total retail sales made through mobile devices in department stores reached 30% in 2023.

Statistic 55

Sustainability initiatives in department stores increased by 25% between 2020 and 2023.

Statistic 56

The adoption of AI and automation in department stores increased by 30% between 2021 and 2023.

Statistic 57

The average wait time at checkout in department stores has reduced to under 3 minutes thanks to new technology.

Statistic 58

Department store sustainability programs have reduced waste by 20% since 2020.

Statistic 59

Environmental certifications for department stores have increased by 35% since 2020.

Statistic 60

The shift towards sustainable packaging has been adopted by 45% of department stores globally.

Statistic 61

The majority of department store websites feature virtual try-on tools for apparel, with 70% implementing this technology by 2023.

Statistic 62

Customer complaints about long wait times at checkout have decreased by 25% due to technology upgrades.

Statistic 63

Implementing green building standards has become common, with 55% of department stores obtaining LEED certification as of 2023.

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Key Highlights

The global department store industry is valued at approximately $1.2 trillion as of 2023.
The United States has over 5,500 department stores across the country.
The department store segment accounts for roughly 10% of total retail sales in the US.
Foot traffic in department stores declined by 30% during the COVID-19 pandemic from 2019 to 2021.
Online sales of department store brands increased by 15% in 2022.
Macy's is the largest department store chain in the United States with over 500 stores.
The average revenue per department store in the US was approximately $45 million in 2023.
The e-commerce share of department store sales reached nearly 20% in 2023.
The employment in department stores in the US fell by 12% from 2018 to 2022.
The top five department store chains in the US control about 70% of the market share.
Fashion apparel remains the leading product category sold in department stores, accounting for 35% of sales.
Sustainability initiatives in department stores increased by 25% between 2020 and 2023.
The average store size for department stores in the US is approximately 150,000 square feet.

Despite a challenging decade marked by a 40% decline in North American store chains and a 30% drop in foot traffic during the pandemic, the global department store industry remains a $1.2 trillion powerhouse navigating digital innovation, sustainability efforts, and evolving shopper preferences.

Consumer Engagement and Events

Foot traffic in department stores declined by 30% during the COVID-19 pandemic from 2019 to 2021.
Customer satisfaction scores for department stores in the US averaged 75 out of 100 in 2023.
The largest demographic of department store shoppers in the US is aged 35-44.
The adoption rate of contactless payment options in department stores reached 85% in 2023.
The median age of department store shoppers in Europe is 45 years old.
The majority of department store shoppers (65%) prefer shopping in stores rather than online.
The share of millennial shoppers in department stores increased by 12% from 2020 to 2023.
Department stores with an omnichannel strategy have seen a 25% higher customer retention rate.
The percentage of mobile app users for department store brands hit 65% in 2023.
The use of virtual fitting rooms in department stores has increased by 40% since 2021.
Customer return rates in department stores are around 15% on average, with higher rates during holiday seasons.
Department stores that incorporate experiential retail elements see a 20% increase in shopper engagement.
The online loyalty program enrollment rate in department stores is over 50%, up from 30% in 2020.
The percentage of consumers who prefer shopping at large department stores over specialty stores is 55%.
The average number of in-store events hosted by department stores per year is 8.
The use of augmented reality in department stores for product displays increased by 35% in 2022 and 2023.

Consumer Engagement and Events Interpretation

Despite a 30% plunge in foot traffic during the pandemic and a customer satisfaction score of 75 in 2023, department stores are successfully revitalizing their appeal—especially among younger Millennials and Gen X shoppers—by embracing contactless payments, virtual fitting rooms, augmented reality, and experiential retail experiences that boost engagement and loyalty in a fashion that suggests retail resilience is far from obsolete.

Employment and Store Count

The United States has over 5,500 department stores across the country.
Macy's is the largest department store chain in the United States with over 500 stores.
The employment in department stores in the US fell by 12% from 2018 to 2022.
Up to 60% of department stores in Europe have closed or restructured since 2015.
The number of department store chains in North America has decreased by 40% over the past decade.
The number of discount and outlet department stores has increased by 10% globally since 2019.
The average number of checkout points per department store is approximately 10.
Across the globe, department stores employ over 2 million workers.
The number of department store locations has decreased by approximately 50% worldwide since 2015.

Employment and Store Count Interpretation

While department stores still employ over 2 million workers worldwide and boast thousands of locations, the industry’s shift towards discount outlets, coupled with a 50% global reduction in stores since 2015, signals a retail landscape in transition—favoring efficiency over expansiveness and brick-and-mortar over online shopping.

Market Size and Valuation

The global department store industry is valued at approximately $1.2 trillion as of 2023.
The department store segment accounts for roughly 10% of total retail sales in the US.
The average revenue per department store in the US was approximately $45 million in 2023.
The top five department store chains in the US control about 70% of the market share.
The average store size for department stores in the US is approximately 150,000 square feet.
Department store retail sales in China reached approximately $150 billion in 2023.
The average shelf space allocated to fast-moving consumer goods in department stores is around 25%.
The average annual marketing expenditure for a department store chain is around $2 million.
The average customer lifetime value (CLV) for department store shoppers is estimated at $1,200.
Department store sales contributed approximately 8% to overall retail sales in the US in 2023.
Department store advertising spend on digital channels accounts for around 60% of total marketing expenditure.
The rapid growth of discount department stores was driven by increased consumer demand for value-oriented shopping.

Market Size and Valuation Interpretation

With the global industry worth a staggering $1.2 trillion and US giants controlling 70% of the market, department stores—spanning sprawling 150,000-square-foot spaces to dominate over 10% of retail sales—must innovate and adapt, especially amid the rise of discount chains and digital advertising that now consumes 60% of their $2 million marketing budgets, all while balancing vast inventories and a $1,200 average customer lifetime value to stay relevant in an increasingly value-driven shopping landscape.

Sales Performance and Revenue Trends

Online sales of department store brands increased by 15% in 2022.
The e-commerce share of department store sales reached nearly 20% in 2023.
Fashion apparel remains the leading product category sold in department stores, accounting for 35% of sales.
The growth rate of mobile shopping in department stores is projected at 22% annually through 2025.
The luxury department store segment grew by 8% in global sales in 2023.
Special promotions and discounts increase overall department store sales by approximately 12% during holiday seasons.
Cross-category marketing in department stores has led to a 10% increase in customer spending.
Approximately 40% of department store sales are generated by loyalty program members.
The decline in department store sales in Japan is around 15% annually since 2018.
The rise of private label brands in department stores accounts for 18% of total sales in 2023.
Inventory turnover rates in department stores average 4.5 times per year.
The average price discount offered during clearance sales in department stores is approximately 50%.
The share of personal care and beauty products in department store sales increased by 5% during 2021-2023.
The average profit margin for department stores is around 4%, making it a low-margin retail sector.
The productivity per employee in department stores averaged $150,000 annually in 2023.
The percentage of revenue generated from online channels in department stores increased by 18% from 2021 to 2023.
The percentage of total retail sales made through mobile devices in department stores reached 30% in 2023.

Sales Performance and Revenue Trends Interpretation

As department stores embrace digital shifts with a 15% online sales boost and nearly 20% of sales now e-commerce, fashion remains king—driving 35% of total revenue—while mobile shopping’s robust 22% annual growth and savvy cross-category marketing fuel a low-margin but steadily evolving retail landscape, all amidst a notable downturn in Japan and the brands’ relentless push through private labels, loyalty programs, and aggressive holiday promos.

Technological Innovations and Sustainability

Sustainability initiatives in department stores increased by 25% between 2020 and 2023.
The adoption of AI and automation in department stores increased by 30% between 2021 and 2023.
The average wait time at checkout in department stores has reduced to under 3 minutes thanks to new technology.
Department store sustainability programs have reduced waste by 20% since 2020.
Environmental certifications for department stores have increased by 35% since 2020.
The shift towards sustainable packaging has been adopted by 45% of department stores globally.
The majority of department store websites feature virtual try-on tools for apparel, with 70% implementing this technology by 2023.
Customer complaints about long wait times at checkout have decreased by 25% due to technology upgrades.
Implementing green building standards has become common, with 55% of department stores obtaining LEED certification as of 2023.

Technological Innovations and Sustainability Interpretation

As department stores accelerate their embrace of sustainability and automation—cutting waste by 20%, slashing checkout times by over a minute, and adopting virtual try-ons—it's clear they're striving to turn green initiatives and customer convenience from trendy perks into the new standard for retail, proving that profit and planet can indeed check out together.