GITNUXREPORT 2025

Global Retail Industry Statistics

Global retail industry valued at $25 trillion, embracing AI, e-commerce, and sustainability.

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 median age for retail store shoppers worldwide is 41 years, with variation across regions

Statistic 2

Approximately 70% of retail sales are still happening through brick-and-mortar stores worldwide in 2023

Statistic 3

Omnichannel consumers tend to spend 4 times more than single-channel consumers

Statistic 4

The average retention rate for retail customer loyalty programs increased to 72% in 2023

Statistic 5

The average online return rate in retail is approximately 15-30% depending on product category

Statistic 6

The average spend per online shopper in 2023 is approximately $150 per transaction

Statistic 7

Women make up approximately 55% of retail shoppers worldwide, influencing product offerings and marketing strategies

Statistic 8

Millennials account for approximately 35% of global retail spending, making them a crucial target demographic

Statistic 9

Retailers investing in experiential retail see a 20% increase in customer dwell time and sales conversion rates

Statistic 10

Approximately 45% of global retail sales are now influenced by online reviews and social media, shaping purchasing decisions

Statistic 11

Retail discounts and promotional offers generate an average of 18% additional sales across major categories

Statistic 12

Around 80% of retail sales improvements are attributed to digital transformation initiatives as of 2023

Statistic 13

The share of mobile payments in retail sales is expected to reach 70% in Asia-Pacific countries by 2025

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The global retail market was valued at approximately $25.04 trillion in 2022

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E-commerce accounted for 19.5% of all retail sales worldwide in 2022

Statistic 16

The top 10 global retail companies generated over $1.3 trillion in revenue in 2022

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In 2022, apparel and footwear sales worldwide reached approximately $1.9 trillion

Statistic 18

China remains the largest retail market in the world, accounting for over 50% of Asia-Pacific retail sales in 2022

Statistic 19

The United States retail sector was valued at over $7 trillion in 2022

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The global online grocery market is projected to reach $1.5 trillion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 28.3%

Statistic 21

In 2022, convenience store sales worldwide were approximately $1.6 trillion

Statistic 22

The fastest-growing retail segment globally is health and personal care, with a CAGR of around 5.8% from 2020-2025

Statistic 23

The adoption of AI in retail is expected to reach $23.1 billion by 2028

Statistic 24

Contactless payments are used in over 60% of global retail transactions as of 2023

Statistic 25

The top 5 global retail e-commerce markets are USA, China, UK, Japan, and Germany, accounting for over 65% of online retail sales

Statistic 26

Mobile commerce accounts for nearly 73% of all global e-commerce sales in 2023

Statistic 27

The fashion retail sector is expected to reach a valuation of $1.5 trillion by 2025

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The majority of global retail sales are generated in urban areas, accounting for approximately 85% of total retail activity

Statistic 29

Retail employment worldwide is estimated at over 400 million jobs in 2023, representing about 10% of global employment

Statistic 30

The global luxury retail market is projected to reach $300 billion in 2024, with Asia-Pacific leading growth

Statistic 31

E-commerce penetration in Latin America reached 20% of total retail sales in 2022, with significant growth expected

Statistic 32

Subscription-based retail services increased by 8% in 2022, covering sectors like beauty, food, and apparel

Statistic 33

The Asia-Pacific retail market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.2% from 2023 to 2028, reaching over $9 trillion

Statistic 34

Retail trade online is expected to account for nearly 22% of all retail sales in North America by 2025

Statistic 35

The global retail robotics market is projected to reach $7.4 billion by 2030, advancing automation in stores and warehouses

Statistic 36

The number of retail stores worldwide decreased by 20% from 2019 to 2023 due to digital disruption and pandemic impacts

Statistic 37

The average shelf space dedicated to private label brands in supermarkets worldwide increased from 20% to 30% between 2020 and 2023

Statistic 38

The global gift card market is expected to reach $2.8 trillion by 2027, with increasing acceptance in retail spaces

Statistic 39

Sustainability initiatives in retail are influencing 65% of consumers’ purchasing decisions

Statistic 40

The adoption of sustainable packaging in the retail industry increased by 50% from 2020 to 2023, driven by consumer demand

Statistic 41

The fashion retail industry is increasingly adopting sustainable materials, with 50% of brands reporting at least 60% sustainable fabrics in 2023

Statistic 42

The share of sustainable and ethically sourced products in retail sales increased by 25% in 2023, reflecting rising consumer values

Statistic 43

Retail automation is expected to save the industry over $400 billion annually by 2025

Statistic 44

Retail stores incorporating AR/VR technology increase customer engagement by over 35%

Statistic 45

The retail industry using IoT technology grew by 19% in 2022, enabling real-time inventory and supply chain tracking

Statistic 46

The use of chatbots in retail customer service increased by 70% between 2020 and 2023, improving response times and customer satisfaction

Statistic 47

The retail industry’s investment in blockchain technology increased by over 30% in 2022, focusing on supply chain transparency

Statistic 48

Augmented reality-based fitting rooms are now available in over 300 retail stores globally, enhancing the try-before-you-buy experience

Statistic 49

The major retail technology trends in 2023 include AI, automation, augmented reality, and sustainability initiatives, shaping the future of retail industry

Slide 1 of 49

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Key Highlights

The global retail market was valued at approximately $25.04 trillion in 2022
E-commerce accounted for 19.5% of all retail sales worldwide in 2022
The top 10 global retail companies generated over $1.3 trillion in revenue in 2022
In 2022, apparel and footwear sales worldwide reached approximately $1.9 trillion
China remains the largest retail market in the world, accounting for over 50% of Asia-Pacific retail sales in 2022
The United States retail sector was valued at over $7 trillion in 2022
The global online grocery market is projected to reach $1.5 trillion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 28.3%
In 2022, convenience store sales worldwide were approximately $1.6 trillion
The fastest-growing retail segment globally is health and personal care, with a CAGR of around 5.8% from 2020-2025
The adoption of AI in retail is expected to reach $23.1 billion by 2028
Contactless payments are used in over 60% of global retail transactions as of 2023
The top 5 global retail e-commerce markets are USA, China, UK, Japan, and Germany, accounting for over 65% of online retail sales
The median age for retail store shoppers worldwide is 41 years, with variation across regions

The retail industry is experiencing a seismic shift driven by technological innovation, changing consumer preferences, and a remarkable $25 trillion global market—here’s what you need to know about its dynamic future.

Consumer Behavior and Demographics

The median age for retail store shoppers worldwide is 41 years, with variation across regions
Approximately 70% of retail sales are still happening through brick-and-mortar stores worldwide in 2023
Omnichannel consumers tend to spend 4 times more than single-channel consumers
The average retention rate for retail customer loyalty programs increased to 72% in 2023
The average online return rate in retail is approximately 15-30% depending on product category
The average spend per online shopper in 2023 is approximately $150 per transaction
Women make up approximately 55% of retail shoppers worldwide, influencing product offerings and marketing strategies
Millennials account for approximately 35% of global retail spending, making them a crucial target demographic
Retailers investing in experiential retail see a 20% increase in customer dwell time and sales conversion rates
Approximately 45% of global retail sales are now influenced by online reviews and social media, shaping purchasing decisions
Retail discounts and promotional offers generate an average of 18% additional sales across major categories

Consumer Behavior and Demographics Interpretation

Despite the digital shift and strategic investments in experiential retail, the global retail industry reveals that with a median shopper age of 41, a steadfast 70% of sales still occur in physical stores, where omnichannel consumers—spending four times more—are fueling a revenue landscape increasingly shaped by social media influences and loyalty programs boasting a 72% retention rate.

E-commerce and Digital Payment Trends

Around 80% of retail sales improvements are attributed to digital transformation initiatives as of 2023
The share of mobile payments in retail sales is expected to reach 70% in Asia-Pacific countries by 2025

E-commerce and Digital Payment Trends Interpretation

With digital transformation fueling an 80% boost in retail sales and mobile payments poised to hit 70% in Asia-Pacific by 2025, it’s clear that retail’s future isn’t just online — it’s everywhere your smartphone can take you.

Market Size and Regional Insights

The global retail market was valued at approximately $25.04 trillion in 2022
E-commerce accounted for 19.5% of all retail sales worldwide in 2022
The top 10 global retail companies generated over $1.3 trillion in revenue in 2022
In 2022, apparel and footwear sales worldwide reached approximately $1.9 trillion
China remains the largest retail market in the world, accounting for over 50% of Asia-Pacific retail sales in 2022
The United States retail sector was valued at over $7 trillion in 2022
The global online grocery market is projected to reach $1.5 trillion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 28.3%
In 2022, convenience store sales worldwide were approximately $1.6 trillion
The fastest-growing retail segment globally is health and personal care, with a CAGR of around 5.8% from 2020-2025
The adoption of AI in retail is expected to reach $23.1 billion by 2028
Contactless payments are used in over 60% of global retail transactions as of 2023
The top 5 global retail e-commerce markets are USA, China, UK, Japan, and Germany, accounting for over 65% of online retail sales
Mobile commerce accounts for nearly 73% of all global e-commerce sales in 2023
The fashion retail sector is expected to reach a valuation of $1.5 trillion by 2025
The majority of global retail sales are generated in urban areas, accounting for approximately 85% of total retail activity
Retail employment worldwide is estimated at over 400 million jobs in 2023, representing about 10% of global employment
The global luxury retail market is projected to reach $300 billion in 2024, with Asia-Pacific leading growth
E-commerce penetration in Latin America reached 20% of total retail sales in 2022, with significant growth expected
Subscription-based retail services increased by 8% in 2022, covering sectors like beauty, food, and apparel
The Asia-Pacific retail market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.2% from 2023 to 2028, reaching over $9 trillion
Retail trade online is expected to account for nearly 22% of all retail sales in North America by 2025
The global retail robotics market is projected to reach $7.4 billion by 2030, advancing automation in stores and warehouses
The number of retail stores worldwide decreased by 20% from 2019 to 2023 due to digital disruption and pandemic impacts
The average shelf space dedicated to private label brands in supermarkets worldwide increased from 20% to 30% between 2020 and 2023
The global gift card market is expected to reach $2.8 trillion by 2027, with increasing acceptance in retail spaces

Market Size and Regional Insights Interpretation

As retail pivots towards digital dominance—with e-commerce now comprising nearly one-fifth of global sales, mobile commerce commanding roughly three-quarters of online transactions, and AI expected to revolutionize customer experience—traditional brick-and-mortar stores face a stark reality: embrace innovation or risk becoming relics in a $25 trillion industry increasingly led by China, the U.S., and Asia-Pacific giants, all while health, convenience, and luxury sectors surge ahead amidst a backdrop of declining store numbers and expanding private labels.

Sustainability and Future Industry Trends

Sustainability initiatives in retail are influencing 65% of consumers’ purchasing decisions
The adoption of sustainable packaging in the retail industry increased by 50% from 2020 to 2023, driven by consumer demand
The fashion retail industry is increasingly adopting sustainable materials, with 50% of brands reporting at least 60% sustainable fabrics in 2023
The share of sustainable and ethically sourced products in retail sales increased by 25% in 2023, reflecting rising consumer values

Sustainability and Future Industry Trends Interpretation

As sustainability becomes a decisive factor in retail, with over half of consumers now influenced by eco-friendly initiatives and half of fashion brands embracing sustainable fabrics, the industry is clearly stitching a future where ethics and profits are seamlessly intertwined.

Technological Innovations and Automation

Retail automation is expected to save the industry over $400 billion annually by 2025
Retail stores incorporating AR/VR technology increase customer engagement by over 35%
The retail industry using IoT technology grew by 19% in 2022, enabling real-time inventory and supply chain tracking
The use of chatbots in retail customer service increased by 70% between 2020 and 2023, improving response times and customer satisfaction
The retail industry’s investment in blockchain technology increased by over 30% in 2022, focusing on supply chain transparency
Augmented reality-based fitting rooms are now available in over 300 retail stores globally, enhancing the try-before-you-buy experience
The major retail technology trends in 2023 include AI, automation, augmented reality, and sustainability initiatives, shaping the future of retail industry

Technological Innovations and Automation Interpretation

As retail embraces AI, AR/VR, IoT, and blockchain to cut costs, boost engagement, and foster transparency, it's clear that the industry is no longer just about selling products but about creating a high-tech, customer-centric shopping universe—proof that the future of retail is both smart and engaging.