GITNUXREPORT 2025

Discount Retail Industry Statistics

Global discount retail market valued at $2.3 trillion in 2022.

Jannik Linder

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

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

The average American household spends about 8.9% of its grocery budget at discount stores.

Statistic 2

The average age of customers shopping at discount retail stores is around 44 years old.

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More than 60% of U.S. consumers shop at discount retailers regularly.

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The average credit card transaction at discount retail stores is $35.

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The majority of discount retail shoppers are from households earning less than $50,000 annually.

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Discounts on everyday household items have increased consumer electronics sales at discount stores by 12% in 2022.

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The percentage of total retail sales made via discount stores in rural areas is approximately 40%.

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The percentage of consumers who prefer discount retailers for groceries has increased by 15% since 2019.

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The percentage of elderly consumers shopping at discount stores has risen to 20% in recent years.

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The average online shopping cart value in discount retail e-commerce is approximately $75.

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The percentage of shoppers using discount retail apps for weekly deals has doubled since 2020.

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The global discount retail market was valued at approximately $2.3 trillion in 2022.

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Discount stores account for roughly 35% of total retail sales in the United States.

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The discount retail sector saw a 5% growth in sales during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

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The retail discount store channel accounts for approximately 21% of all retail trade sales in the US.

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The discount retail industry generated roughly $440 billion in U.S. sales in 2022.

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The online sales share of discount retailers grew by approximately 15% in 2022.

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The penetration of discount retail stores in urban areas has increased by 10% over the past five years.

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The growth rate of discount retail stores is projected to be 4% annually over the next five years.

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The adoption of private label brands by discount retailers has increased by 25% over the past three years.

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Online-only discount retailers like Dollar Shave Club and Harry’s have seen sales grow by over 20% in 2022.

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Discount retail industry employment in the U.S. exceeds 3 million workers.

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The rise of discount retail chains has contributed to a decrease in traditional department store sales by around 30% over the past decade.

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The fastest-growing discount retail segment is organic and eco-friendly products, with a growth rate of 18% annually.

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The growth of hybrid physical and digital discount store models has increased by 22% over the past two years.

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Discount retail stores account for roughly 25% of all clothing retail sales in the U.S., primarily through private label brands.

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The number of discount retail stores opening in emerging markets increased by 30% from 2019 to 2022.

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The share of organic and natural products sold at discount retail stores grew by 14% in 2022.

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The mobile app usage for discount retail stores increased by 33% in 2022.

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The percentage of discount retail sales through omnichannel strategies has increased to 35% in 2023.

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The growth of discount retail outlets in suburban areas has outpaced urban areas by 8% over the last three years.

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Discount retail store loyalty program memberships have increased by 20% in the past two years.

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Aldi’s private label products account for over 90% of its total sales.

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Eco-friendly and sustainable products now make up about 10% of private label offerings in discount retail stores.

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The share of private label private brands in discount stores increased to 35% in 2022.

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Walmart is the largest discount retailer worldwide with over $500 billion in annual revenue.

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Aldi has over 2,200 stores in the United States.

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The average discount store location in the U.S. generates approximately $2 million in annual sales.

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The first dollar discount stores began appearing in the United States in the 1950s.

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Dollar General operates over 18,000 stores across the U.S., making it the largest dollar store chain.

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Lidl has expanded to over 11 countries with more than 11,000 stores worldwide.

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The gross profit margin for discount retailers is typically around 20-25%.

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The average size of a discount store is approximately 10,000 square feet.

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The top 5 discount retail chains in the U.S. control nearly 60% of the market share.

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The average discount retail store experiences an annual foot traffic of approximately 250,000 shoppers.

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The average discount store invests around $2,500 in weekly marketing and promotional activities.

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The average checkout time at discount stores is approximately 3 minutes.

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The average discount retail store redesign or renovation project costs approximately $150,000.

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The number of employee work hours at discount retail stores annually sums to over 4 billion in the United States.

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The biggest challenge faced by discount retail chains is maintaining profit margins amid rising supply chain costs.

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Key Highlights

The global discount retail market was valued at approximately $2.3 trillion in 2022.
Discount stores account for roughly 35% of total retail sales in the United States.
Walmart is the largest discount retailer worldwide with over $500 billion in annual revenue.
The average American household spends about 8.9% of its grocery budget at discount stores.
The discount retail sector saw a 5% growth in sales during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
Aldi has over 2,200 stores in the United States.
The average discount store location in the U.S. generates approximately $2 million in annual sales.
The first dollar discount stores began appearing in the United States in the 1950s.
The retail discount store channel accounts for approximately 21% of all retail trade sales in the US.
Dollar General operates over 18,000 stores across the U.S., making it the largest dollar store chain.
Lidl has expanded to over 11 countries with more than 11,000 stores worldwide.
The average age of customers shopping at discount retail stores is around 44 years old.
The discount retail industry generated roughly $440 billion in U.S. sales in 2022.

The discount retail industry has evolved into a staggering $2.3 trillion global market—dominating American shopping habits, fueling economic growth, and reshaping retail landscapes with innovative strategies and widespread consumer trust.

Consumer Behavior and Demographics

The average American household spends about 8.9% of its grocery budget at discount stores.
The average age of customers shopping at discount retail stores is around 44 years old.
More than 60% of U.S. consumers shop at discount retailers regularly.
The average credit card transaction at discount retail stores is $35.
The majority of discount retail shoppers are from households earning less than $50,000 annually.
Discounts on everyday household items have increased consumer electronics sales at discount stores by 12% in 2022.
The percentage of total retail sales made via discount stores in rural areas is approximately 40%.
The percentage of consumers who prefer discount retailers for groceries has increased by 15% since 2019.
The percentage of elderly consumers shopping at discount stores has risen to 20% in recent years.
The average online shopping cart value in discount retail e-commerce is approximately $75.
The percentage of shoppers using discount retail apps for weekly deals has doubled since 2020.

Consumer Behavior and Demographics Interpretation

With over 60% of Americans regularly snagging bargains at discount stores—where the typical shopper, around 44, earning less than $50K, spends about $35 per trip—the drive for affordable prices has notably shifted consumer electronics sales up 12%, increased rural retail dominance to 40%, and seen seniors—a growing 20%—and online carts averaging $75, all while doubling weekly app deal users since 2020.

Market Size and Growth Trends

The global discount retail market was valued at approximately $2.3 trillion in 2022.
Discount stores account for roughly 35% of total retail sales in the United States.
The discount retail sector saw a 5% growth in sales during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
The retail discount store channel accounts for approximately 21% of all retail trade sales in the US.
The discount retail industry generated roughly $440 billion in U.S. sales in 2022.
The online sales share of discount retailers grew by approximately 15% in 2022.
The penetration of discount retail stores in urban areas has increased by 10% over the past five years.
The growth rate of discount retail stores is projected to be 4% annually over the next five years.
The adoption of private label brands by discount retailers has increased by 25% over the past three years.
Online-only discount retailers like Dollar Shave Club and Harry’s have seen sales grow by over 20% in 2022.
Discount retail industry employment in the U.S. exceeds 3 million workers.
The rise of discount retail chains has contributed to a decrease in traditional department store sales by around 30% over the past decade.
The fastest-growing discount retail segment is organic and eco-friendly products, with a growth rate of 18% annually.
The growth of hybrid physical and digital discount store models has increased by 22% over the past two years.
Discount retail stores account for roughly 25% of all clothing retail sales in the U.S., primarily through private label brands.
The number of discount retail stores opening in emerging markets increased by 30% from 2019 to 2022.
The share of organic and natural products sold at discount retail stores grew by 14% in 2022.
The mobile app usage for discount retail stores increased by 33% in 2022.
The percentage of discount retail sales through omnichannel strategies has increased to 35% in 2023.
The growth of discount retail outlets in suburban areas has outpaced urban areas by 8% over the last three years.
Discount retail store loyalty program memberships have increased by 20% in the past two years.

Market Size and Growth Trends Interpretation

With a staggering $2.3 trillion global valuation and accounting for nearly a quarter of all retail sales, the discount retail industry is not only growing at a steady 4% annual clip but also quietly reshaping consumer habits—especially as its online share soars 15%, private label brands increase by 25%, and loyalty programs pull in 20% more members—proving that when it comes to value, these stores are more than just a cheap thrill; they're the retail world's savvy powerhouse.

Product Offerings and Private Labels

Aldi’s private label products account for over 90% of its total sales.
Eco-friendly and sustainable products now make up about 10% of private label offerings in discount retail stores.
The share of private label private brands in discount stores increased to 35% in 2022.

Product Offerings and Private Labels Interpretation

With over 90% of Aldi’s sales stemming from private labels, the industry’s pivot toward sustainable offerings now comprising 10%, and private brands reaching a 35% market share in 2022, it’s clear that discount retailers are increasingly turning labels into their most valuable assets—and eco-conscious consumers into loyal customers.

Retailer Profiles and Operations

Walmart is the largest discount retailer worldwide with over $500 billion in annual revenue.
Aldi has over 2,200 stores in the United States.
The average discount store location in the U.S. generates approximately $2 million in annual sales.
The first dollar discount stores began appearing in the United States in the 1950s.
Dollar General operates over 18,000 stores across the U.S., making it the largest dollar store chain.
Lidl has expanded to over 11 countries with more than 11,000 stores worldwide.
The gross profit margin for discount retailers is typically around 20-25%.
The average size of a discount store is approximately 10,000 square feet.
The top 5 discount retail chains in the U.S. control nearly 60% of the market share.
The average discount retail store experiences an annual foot traffic of approximately 250,000 shoppers.
The average discount store invests around $2,500 in weekly marketing and promotional activities.
The average checkout time at discount stores is approximately 3 minutes.
The average discount retail store redesign or renovation project costs approximately $150,000.
The number of employee work hours at discount retail stores annually sums to over 4 billion in the United States.
The biggest challenge faced by discount retail chains is maintaining profit margins amid rising supply chain costs.

Retailer Profiles and Operations Interpretation

With over 500 billion dollars in annual revenue and dominating nearly 60% of the U.S. market, the discount retail industry—led by giants like Walmart and Dollar General—proves that even in a hectic three-minute shopping trip, efficiency and scale triumph over margins, all while the legacy of the 1950s dollar store boom continues to shape America's cost-conscious shopping landscape.