With the global merchandise trade market hitting a staggering $18.9 trillion, understanding its powerful currents—from e-commerce's explosive $5.8 trillion in sales to shifting consumer priorities like sustainability—is key for anyone navigating this dynamic industry.
Key Takeaways
- The global merchandise trade market was valued at $18.9 trillion in 2022
- U.S. retail merchandise sales reached $7.04 trillion in 2023, up 2.5% from 2022
- Apparel merchandise segment grew by 4.1% YoY in 2023 to $1.7 trillion globally
- Global e-commerce merchandise sales hit $5.8 trillion in 2023, up 9% YoY
- Amazon accounted for 37.6% of U.S. e-commerce merchandise sales in 2023
- Mobile commerce represented 60% of e-commerce merchandise transactions in 2023
- U.S. physical store merchandise sales $4.5 trillion in 2023, down 0.1% YoY
- Walmart U.S. merchandise sales $421 billion in FY2023
- Costco merchandise net sales $237 billion in 2023
- Footwear retail sales worldwide $400 billion 2023
- Global electronics merchandise retail $2.9 trillion 2023
- Apparel and footwear combined $2.1 trillion global retail 2023
- 52% of global consumers aged 18-34 prefer sustainable merchandise brands in 2023
- 68% of U.S. shoppers influenced by social media for merchandise purchases 2023
- Average consumer spends $1,200 annually on apparel merchandise globally 2023
The global merchandise industry is growing steadily, fueled by strong e-commerce sales.
Consumer Behavior
- 52% of global consumers aged 18-34 prefer sustainable merchandise brands in 2023
- 68% of U.S. shoppers influenced by social media for merchandise purchases 2023
- Average consumer spends $1,200 annually on apparel merchandise globally 2023
- 41% of consumers abandoned carts due to high shipping costs in e-merch 2023
- Gen Z represents 40% of luxury merchandise buyers in 2023
- 75% of consumers check reviews before buying merchandise online 2023
- Impulse buying accounts for 40% of merchandise sales in stores 2023
- 62% of women vs 52% men shop merchandise sales seasonally 2023
- Loyalty programs influence 60% of repeat merchandise purchases 2023
- 55% of consumers prefer brands with ethical sourcing in 2023
- Average shopping trip basket size 2.5 items in retail 2023
- 70% of millennials willing to pay 20% more for eco-friendly merch 2023
- Mobile influences 50% of in-store merchandise decisions 2023
- 45% of consumers buy merchandise based on influencer recs 2023
- Price sensitivity highest in grocery merch 78% of shoppers 2023
- 65% of boomers prefer physical stores for big-ticket merch 2023
- Omnichannel shoppers spend 30% more on merchandise 2023
- 38% of consumers reduced non-essential merch spending 2023
- Personalization boosts purchase intent by 20% in merch 2023
- 50% of global consumers prioritize convenience in merch shopping 2023
- Hispanic consumers 25% more likely to buy ethnic merch 2023 U.S.
- 60% of parents buy kids' merch influenced by trends 2023
- Subscription boxes retain 70% of merch subscribers yearly 2023
- 42% of consumers switch brands for better merch sustainability 2023
- Average time to purchase decision 2.6 days for merch online 2023
- 67% of urban consumers shop merch weekly 2023
- Female consumers drive 80% of household merch decisions 2023
- 55% prefer free shipping over faster delivery for merch 2023
Consumer Behavior Interpretation
It seems the modern consumer is a savvy, contradictory creature who will abandon a cart over shipping fees yet happily spend 20% more for sustainability, all while being influenced by influencers, guided by their phones in-store, and ultimately deciding in 2.6 days after reading reviews, because the path to purchase is now a winding, omnichannel journey of conscience, convenience, and, let's be honest, a healthy dose of impulse.
E-commerce Trends
- Global e-commerce merchandise sales hit $5.8 trillion in 2023, up 9% YoY
- Amazon accounted for 37.6% of U.S. e-commerce merchandise sales in 2023
- Mobile commerce represented 60% of e-commerce merchandise transactions in 2023
- Cross-border e-commerce merchandise $785 billion in 2023, CAGR 26%
- Alibaba's merchandise GMV reached $1.2 trillion in 2023
- E-commerce penetration in merchandise retail at 22% globally in 2023
- U.S. e-commerce merchandise growth 7.8% in 2023 to $1.1 trillion
- Social commerce merchandise sales $992 billion globally in 2023
- E-commerce fashion merchandise $759 billion in 2023
- 45% of global consumers bought merchandise via apps in 2023
- Shopify merchandise sales volume $197 billion in 2023
- E-commerce grocery merchandise $350 billion globally in 2023
- Voice commerce merchandise projected $40 billion by 2025, 15% CAGR
- India e-commerce merchandise $70 billion in 2023, 25% growth
- Live-streaming e-commerce merchandise sales $500 billion in China 2023
- EU e-commerce merchandise B2C €850 billion in 2023
- Subscription e-commerce merchandise $120 billion globally 2023
- E-commerce return rates for merchandise averaged 24.4% in 2023
- Brazil e-commerce merchandise R$185 billion in 2023
- AR/VR used in 29% of e-commerce merchandise sites in 2023
- Southeast Asia e-commerce merchandise $218 billion in 2023
- Personalization drove 15% higher e-commerce merchandise conversion in 2023
- U.K. e-commerce merchandise £220 billion in 2023
- Cryptocurrency payments for e-merchandise 1.5% of transactions in 2023
- E-commerce merchandise ad spend $350 billion globally 2023
- Flash sales boosted e-merchandise by 20% during events in 2023
- Global BNPL for e-merchandise $300 billion in 2023
- E-commerce merchandise logistics costs 15% of sales in 2023
E-commerce Trends Interpretation
Amazon may be the world's digital mall landlord, but the real story is a planet collectively and chaotically swiping "buy now" from their phones, with China live-streaming entire economies, everyone dealing with a mountain of returns, and retailers desperately hoping that a flash sale or a personalized ad will be the thing that finally pays the brutal logistics bill.
Market Size and Growth
- The global merchandise trade market was valued at $18.9 trillion in 2022
- U.S. retail merchandise sales reached $7.04 trillion in 2023, up 2.5% from 2022
- Apparel merchandise segment grew by 4.1% YoY in 2023 to $1.7 trillion globally
- Projected CAGR for merchandise industry 2024-2028 is 5.2%, driven by e-commerce
- China's merchandise exports hit $3.59 trillion in 2023
- European Union merchandise imports totaled €2.5 trillion in 2022
- U.S. merchandise trade deficit was $1.19 trillion in 2023
- Global luxury merchandise market size $1.1 trillion in 2023, expected to reach $1.5 trillion by 2025
- Indian retail merchandise market valued at $883 billion in 2023
- Merchandise sales in Brazil grew 6.3% in 2023 to BRL 1.2 trillion
- Global footwear merchandise revenue $435 billion in 2023
- U.K. merchandise retail sales index rose 1.8% in Q4 2023
- Merchandise industry in Southeast Asia valued at $500 billion in 2023, CAGR 7%
- Australian merchandise trade surplus $119 billion in 2023
- Japan merchandise exports $717 billion in 2023, down 4.8% YoY
- Global merchandise wholesale market $25 trillion in 2022
- U.S. non-store merchandise retailers revenue $1.2 trillion in 2023
- Merchandise market in Mexico grew 3.5% to $300 billion in 2023
- South Korea merchandise exports $632 billion in 2023
- Global sports merchandise market $90 billion in 2023, projected $150 billion by 2030
- Canada merchandise trade balance -$18 billion in 2023
- Merchandise sales via marketplaces reached $1.1 trillion globally in 2023
- Turkey merchandise exports $255 billion in 2023
- Global toy merchandise market $104 billion in 2023
- Russia merchandise exports $422 billion in 2023 despite sanctions
- Merchandise industry recovery post-COVID: +8.2% growth in 2023 globally
- Vietnam merchandise exports surged 15% to $355 billion in 2023
- Global electronics merchandise $2.8 trillion in 2023
- France merchandise imports €650 billion in 2023
- Projected global merchandise market $25 trillion by 2028
Market Size and Growth Interpretation
Despite geopolitical squabbles, sanctions, and deficits, the world’s shopping cart, now valued at nearly $19 trillion, continues to fill—proving that humanity’s collective urge to buy things is perhaps the most unstoppable force on the planet.
Product Categories
- Footwear retail sales worldwide $400 billion 2023
- Global electronics merchandise retail $2.9 trillion 2023
- Apparel and footwear combined $2.1 trillion global retail 2023
- Grocery merchandise category $12 trillion worldwide 2023
- Luxury goods retail $1.1 trillion 2023
- Home furnishings merchandise $800 billion global 2023
- Toys and games retail $120 billion 2023
- Beauty and personal care $580 billion global 2023
- Sports equipment merchandise $150 billion 2023
- Jewelry retail $350 billion worldwide 2023
- Automotive parts merchandise $500 billion global 2023
- Books retail $90 billion 2023
- Eyewear merchandise $140 billion 2023
- Pet supplies retail $120 billion global 2023
- Furniture retail $700 billion 2023
- Household appliances $550 billion global 2023
- Handbags and luggage $100 billion 2023
- Watches retail $50 billion luxury segment 2023
- Office supplies $250 billion 2023
- Musical instruments merchandise $15 billion 2023
- Baby products retail $100 billion 2023
- Camping/outdoor gear $50 billion 2023
- Dietary supplements $160 billion 2023
- Video games merchandise $200 billion 2023
- Cosmetics retail $450 billion 2023
- Skincare products $180 billion 2023
Product Categories Interpretation
While our collective obsession with shoes and screens rakes in trillions, it seems we still primarily spend our gargantuan retail fortune, to the sobering tune of $12 trillion, on the simple, non-luxury act of feeding ourselves.
Retail Sales
- U.S. physical store merchandise sales $4.5 trillion in 2023, down 0.1% YoY
- Walmart U.S. merchandise sales $421 billion in FY2023
- Costco merchandise net sales $237 billion in 2023
- Target merchandise revenue $107 billion in 2023
- Brick-and-mortar apparel sales $1.2 trillion globally 2023
- U.K. non-food store merchandise sales up 2.4% in 2023
- Grocery store merchandise sales $900 billion U.S. 2023
- Department stores merchandise sales declined 8% to $80 billion U.S. 2023
- Sporting goods store sales $55 billion U.S. 2023
- Electronics retail merchandise $250 billion U.S. 2023
- Furniture store merchandise sales $140 billion U.S. 2023
- Health/personal care store sales $400 billion U.S. 2023
- Gasoline stations merchandise (ex-fuel) $250 billion U.S. 2023
- General merchandise stores sales $850 billion U.S. 2023
- Clothing store sales $280 billion U.S. 2023
- Home improvement retail $500 billion U.S. 2023
- Book store merchandise sales $18 billion U.S. 2023
- Hobby/toy store sales $35 billion U.S. 2023
- Office supply stores $25 billion U.S. 2023
- Liquor store sales $30 billion U.S. 2023
- Motor vehicle dealers merchandise $1.2 trillion U.S. 2023
- Food service/drinking places $900 billion U.S. 2023
- Retail trade employment 15.5 million U.S. 2023
- Average retail merchandise margin 30.5% in 2023
- Holiday season retail sales peak 20% of annual merchandise U.S. 2023
- Global apparel retail sales $1.7 trillion in 2023
- U.S. apparel retail sales $350 billion in 2023
Retail Sales Interpretation
It appears the American consumer is a creature of habit, stubbornly shopping in person across a staggering $4.5 trillion landscape where Walmart and Costco reign as titans, yet their loyalty has its limits—as shown by the quiet demise of department stores and the selective splurging on cars, homes, and nights out.
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