GITNUXREPORT 2025

Grocery Retail Industry Statistics

Grocery industry grows digitally, with increased online sales and innovative technologies.

Jannik Lindner

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

Key Statistics

Statistic 1

Approximately 70% of grocery sales in the US are still made in physical stores as of 2023

Statistic 2

Millennials make up the largest demographic group of grocery shoppers, accounting for 30% of sales

Statistic 3

Approximately 60% of grocery shoppers prefer shopping in small neighborhood stores over supermarkets

Statistic 4

Approximately 40% of U.S. consumers shop for groceries at discount stores

Statistic 5

Approximately 66% of consumers prefer to receive personalized coupons and promotions based on their shopping habits

Statistic 6

The use of mobile apps for grocery shopping increased by 85% between 2020 and 2022

Statistic 7

The adoption of cashierless checkout technology in grocery stores increased by 78% in 2023

Statistic 8

The use of self-checkout systems in grocery stores increased by 65% between 2020 and 2023

Statistic 9

The average checkout time at grocery stores has decreased by 20% over the last five years due to technology improvements

Statistic 10

The number of grocery stores adopting online ordering systems increased by 60% from 2020 to 2023

Statistic 11

The global grocery retail market was valued at approximately $11.4 trillion in 2022

Statistic 12

The United States accounts for roughly 25% of the global grocery retail sales

Statistic 13

Online grocery shopping in the US increased by over 54% during 2020-2021

Statistic 14

The average grocery store size in the US is around 41,000 square feet

Statistic 15

Walmart leads the global grocery market with a 10.5% share of the worldwide grocery sales

Statistic 16

The number of grocery stores in the US exceeded 38,000 in 2023

Statistic 17

Organic food sales in the US reached $60.9 billion in 2022, representing over 11% growth from the previous year

Statistic 18

The average household in the US spends about $4,500 annually on groceries

Statistic 19

Private label products constitute approximately 20-25% of total grocery sales in North America

Statistic 20

In Europe, online grocery sales reached €50 billion in 2022, accounting for about 9% of total grocery sales

Statistic 21

The grocery delivery market worldwide is projected to grow at a CAGR of 12.3% from 2022 to 2030

Statistic 22

The number of grocery store employees in the US was over 2.6 million in 2023

Statistic 23

The percentage of grocery sales conducted via e-commerce in China reached 15% in 2022, baseline for rapid growth

Statistic 24

The global frozen foods market was valued at $291 billion in 2022, with a CAGR of 4.2% expected until 2030

Statistic 25

The COVID-19 pandemic led to a 35% increase in online grocery sales in the US between 2019 and 2021

Statistic 26

The global organic food market is projected to reach $1.9 trillion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 8%

Statistic 27

The average price of a gallon of milk in the US was $3.55 in 2023, up from $3.33 in 2022

Statistic 28

The average number of SKUs per grocery store is approximately 40,000

Statistic 29

In the US, about 55% of grocery stores have adopted sustainability initiatives, including waste reduction and eco-friendly packaging, as of 2023

Statistic 30

The average grocery store waste reduction rate improved by 15% in 2022 due to better inventory management and technology

Statistic 31

The rise of plant-based foods has resulted in a 10% annual growth rate in plant-based product sales in grocery aisles worldwide

Slide 1 of 31
Share:FacebookLinkedIn
Sources

Our Reports have been cited by:

Trust Badges - Publications that have cited our reports

Key Highlights

  • The global grocery retail market was valued at approximately $11.4 trillion in 2022
  • The United States accounts for roughly 25% of the global grocery retail sales
  • Online grocery shopping in the US increased by over 54% during 2020-2021
  • Approximately 70% of grocery sales in the US are still made in physical stores as of 2023
  • The average grocery store size in the US is around 41,000 square feet
  • Walmart leads the global grocery market with a 10.5% share of the worldwide grocery sales
  • The number of grocery stores in the US exceeded 38,000 in 2023
  • Organic food sales in the US reached $60.9 billion in 2022, representing over 11% growth from the previous year
  • Millennials make up the largest demographic group of grocery shoppers, accounting for 30% of sales
  • The use of mobile apps for grocery shopping increased by 85% between 2020 and 2022
  • The average household in the US spends about $4,500 annually on groceries
  • Private label products constitute approximately 20-25% of total grocery sales in North America
  • The adoption of cashierless checkout technology in grocery stores increased by 78% in 2023

The grocery retail industry is experiencing a seismic shift, with a $11.4 trillion global market, a rapidly expanding online presence, and innovative technologies transforming how consumers shop and brands compete.

Consumer Demographics and Preferences

  • Approximately 70% of grocery sales in the US are still made in physical stores as of 2023
  • Millennials make up the largest demographic group of grocery shoppers, accounting for 30% of sales
  • Approximately 60% of grocery shoppers prefer shopping in small neighborhood stores over supermarkets
  • Approximately 40% of U.S. consumers shop for groceries at discount stores
  • Approximately 66% of consumers prefer to receive personalized coupons and promotions based on their shopping habits

Consumer Demographics and Preferences Interpretation

Even as digital aisles grow and discount deals draw more shoppers, the enduring appeal of neighborhood stores and personalized perks underscores that in grocery retail, in-store experience and tailored engagement still reign supreme.

Digital Transformation and Technology Adoption

  • The use of mobile apps for grocery shopping increased by 85% between 2020 and 2022
  • The adoption of cashierless checkout technology in grocery stores increased by 78% in 2023
  • The use of self-checkout systems in grocery stores increased by 65% between 2020 and 2023
  • The average checkout time at grocery stores has decreased by 20% over the last five years due to technology improvements
  • The number of grocery stores adopting online ordering systems increased by 60% from 2020 to 2023

Digital Transformation and Technology Adoption Interpretation

These rapid technological strides—a surge in mobile app use, cashierless checkouts, and online ordering—are transforming grocery shopping from a slow, familiar ritual into a swift, almost futuristic experience, signaling the industry's urgent pivot toward digital convenience rather than tradition.

Market Size and Valuation

  • The global grocery retail market was valued at approximately $11.4 trillion in 2022
  • The United States accounts for roughly 25% of the global grocery retail sales
  • Online grocery shopping in the US increased by over 54% during 2020-2021
  • The average grocery store size in the US is around 41,000 square feet
  • Walmart leads the global grocery market with a 10.5% share of the worldwide grocery sales
  • The number of grocery stores in the US exceeded 38,000 in 2023
  • Organic food sales in the US reached $60.9 billion in 2022, representing over 11% growth from the previous year
  • The average household in the US spends about $4,500 annually on groceries
  • Private label products constitute approximately 20-25% of total grocery sales in North America
  • In Europe, online grocery sales reached €50 billion in 2022, accounting for about 9% of total grocery sales
  • The grocery delivery market worldwide is projected to grow at a CAGR of 12.3% from 2022 to 2030
  • The number of grocery store employees in the US was over 2.6 million in 2023
  • The percentage of grocery sales conducted via e-commerce in China reached 15% in 2022, baseline for rapid growth
  • The global frozen foods market was valued at $291 billion in 2022, with a CAGR of 4.2% expected until 2030
  • The COVID-19 pandemic led to a 35% increase in online grocery sales in the US between 2019 and 2021
  • The global organic food market is projected to reach $1.9 trillion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 8%

Market Size and Valuation Interpretation

With the grocery industry worth over $11 trillion worldwide and the U.S. commanding a quarter of that, it's clear that while Americans spend about $4,500 annually on groceries—favoring large stores averaging 41,000 square feet and private labels making up a quarter of sales—the real recipe for success now involves swift online growth, organic options booming at 11% annually, and the ever-evolving grocery delivery market expanding at a 12.3% CAGR, all amid a global shift that's turning every aisle—physical or virtual—into a battleground for dominance.

Operational and Market Dynamics

  • The average price of a gallon of milk in the US was $3.55 in 2023, up from $3.33 in 2022
  • The average number of SKUs per grocery store is approximately 40,000
  • In the US, about 55% of grocery stores have adopted sustainability initiatives, including waste reduction and eco-friendly packaging, as of 2023
  • The average grocery store waste reduction rate improved by 15% in 2022 due to better inventory management and technology

Operational and Market Dynamics Interpretation

Despite the milk price creaming past previous levels and stores stocking around 40,000 SKUs, nearly half are championing sustainability initiatives—showing that even amid rising costs, American grocers are pouring effort and innovation into a greener, more efficient future.

Product Trends and Market Segments

  • The rise of plant-based foods has resulted in a 10% annual growth rate in plant-based product sales in grocery aisles worldwide

Product Trends and Market Segments Interpretation

As plant-based products sprout faster than ever, grocery aisles worldwide are witnessing a green revolution, growing at a 10% annual clip—proof that nourishing the planet might soon be as common as grabbing a bag of chips.