GITNUXREPORT 2025

Retail Industry Statistics

Global retail sales surged to $25 trillion in 2022, driven by digital growth.

Jannik Lindner

Jannik Linder

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

First published: April 29, 2025

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Key Statistics

Statistic 1

60% of consumers prefer to shop at stores that offer personalized experiences

Statistic 2

About 62% of shoppers say they buy more from brands that offer personalized experiences

Statistic 3

The average consumer visits 3.6 stores before making a purchase decision

Statistic 4

Approximately 70% of retail purchases are still made in-store despite digital growth

Statistic 5

Approximately 46% of Americans prefer to shop in-store rather than online

Statistic 6

78% of consumers say sustainability influences their purchasing decisions

Statistic 7

Nearly 80% of retail shoppers research products online before making an in-store purchase

Statistic 8

More than 50% of retail sales are influenced by online reviews and ratings

Statistic 9

The average return rate for online retail purchases is about 20%, higher than in-store purchases

Statistic 10

The majority of consumers (about 70%) prefer shopping at local retail stores over big box brands

Statistic 11

The average time spent by consumers in retail stores is approximately 30 minutes per visit

Statistic 12

Retailers investing in sustainability initiatives report a 20% increase in customer loyalty

Statistic 13

The majority of retail purchases in emerging markets are still cash-based, accounting for about 70% of transactions

Statistic 14

40% of retail shoppers prefer to use digital wallets and mobile payments, especially among younger generations

Statistic 15

The fashion retail industry is expected to reach a valuation of $1.5 trillion globally by 2027

Statistic 16

85% of retail executives believe that customer experience will be the key competitive differentiator in the next five years

Statistic 17

The use of drone delivery in retail logistics is projected to grow at a CAGR of 50.2% from 2023 to 2028

Statistic 18

The global retail industry is expected to generate over $28 trillion in revenue by 2030, with digital channels accounting for a significant share

Statistic 19

The global retail sales reached approximately $25.04 trillion in 2022

Statistic 20

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

Statistic 21

In the United States, retail sales increased by 7.5% in 2022 compared to the previous year

Statistic 22

Mobile commerce accounted for nearly 45% of all online retail sales in 2022

Statistic 23

Online retail sales in Europe amounted to €717 billion in 2022, representing about 23% of total retail sales

Statistic 24

The average retail store size in the U.S. was approximately 13,000 square feet in 2022

Statistic 25

The retail industry in China is projected to reach $8.05 trillion in sales by 2025

Statistic 26

Retailers investing in augmented reality expect a 30% increase in conversion rates

Statistic 27

The use of AI in retail is expected to save $340 billion globally by 2027

Statistic 28

Subscription box retail sales in the U.S. totaled $12.8 billion in 2023

Statistic 29

The average retail store experiences a loss of about 2% of inventory annually due to shrinkage

Statistic 30

Omnichannel retail sales accounted for over 87% of all retail sales in the U.S. in 2022

Statistic 31

The global beauty and personal care retail market was valued at $511 billion in 2022

Statistic 32

Lighting improvements in stores can increase sales by up to 40%

Statistic 33

The online grocery market share in the U.S. was approximately 11% in 2022

Statistic 34

Environmentally sustainable retail practices are adopted by over 33% of retailers worldwide

Statistic 35

Contactless payments made up over 40% of US retail transactions in 2022

Statistic 36

The average discount offered in retail promotions is about 20%

Statistic 37

Retailers have reported a 33% increase in sales when integrating social media and ecommerce platforms

Statistic 38

75% of retailers that adopt digital technology see improved sales performance

Statistic 39

The global fast fashion market was valued at $35.8 billion in 2022, expected to grow annually by 4.5%

Statistic 40

The global retail robotic process automation (RPA) market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 22.3% from 2023 to 2030

Statistic 41

The use of cashier-less stores (like Amazon Go) increased by 126% in 2022

Statistic 42

The average profit margin in the retail sector varies between 2-3%, depending on the sub-industry

Statistic 43

The top 10 retail chains in the world account for over 30% of global retail sales

Statistic 44

Around 25% of retail sales in the US are made during holiday seasons, primarily November and December

Statistic 45

Retail companies using big data analytics have seen up to a 15% increase in revenue

Statistic 46

In 2022, Asia-Pacific accounted for about 45% of global retail sales

Statistic 47

The average retail transaction size in the US was approximately $77 in 2022

Statistic 48

The global secondhand retail market was valued at $56 billion in 2022, expected to grow at a 15% CAGR through 2027

Statistic 49

Retail brands with strong loyalty programs see up to a 30% increase in customer retention

Statistic 50

The leading cause of retail store closures in 2022 was underperformance due to poor sales, accounting for over 50% of closures

Statistic 51

The top-performing retail categories during the holiday season in 2022 were electronics, apparel, and toys, with sales increases of over 20%

Statistic 52

The retail industry employs over 30 million people in the U.S. alone

Statistic 53

The majority of retail staff (about 65%) in the US are Millennials or Generation Z

Statistic 54

The retail industry has seen a 25% rise in employment of digital marketing specialists from 2020 to 2023

Statistic 55

Nearly 65% of retail staff in North America are satisfied with their jobs, due to improvements in workplace technology

Statistic 56

The average checkout time in retail stores decreased by 15 seconds in 2023 due to automation

Statistic 57

The adoption of blockchain technology in retail supply chains is projected to grow at a CAGR of 48.7% from 2023 to 2027

Statistic 58

The bulk of retail innovation in 2022 focused on contactless payments, AI-driven personalization, and automation, according to industry reports

Statistic 59

The retail industry’s digital transformation investment increased by 40% from 2020 to 2023

Statistic 60

Retailers with integrated supply chain systems report a 15% reduction in delivery times and inventory costs

Statistic 61

About 80% of retail brands plan to increase their investment in AI and machine learning technologies in the next two years

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Key Highlights

  • The global retail sales reached approximately $25.04 trillion in 2022
  • E-commerce sales accounted for 19.5% of total retail sales worldwide in 2022
  • In the United States, retail sales increased by 7.5% in 2022 compared to the previous year
  • The retail industry employs over 30 million people in the U.S. alone
  • Mobile commerce accounted for nearly 45% of all online retail sales in 2022
  • Online retail sales in Europe amounted to €717 billion in 2022, representing about 23% of total retail sales
  • The average retail store size in the U.S. was approximately 13,000 square feet in 2022
  • 60% of consumers prefer to shop at stores that offer personalized experiences
  • The retail industry in China is projected to reach $8.05 trillion in sales by 2025
  • About 62% of shoppers say they buy more from brands that offer personalized experiences
  • The average consumer visits 3.6 stores before making a purchase decision
  • Retailers investing in augmented reality expect a 30% increase in conversion rates
  • The use of AI in retail is expected to save $340 billion globally by 2027

The retail industry is experiencing a remarkable transformation, with global sales reaching over $25 trillion in 2022, as digital innovation, personalized shopping experiences, and omnichannel strategies drive unprecedented growth and change across markets worldwide.

Consumer Behavior and Preferences

  • 60% of consumers prefer to shop at stores that offer personalized experiences
  • About 62% of shoppers say they buy more from brands that offer personalized experiences
  • The average consumer visits 3.6 stores before making a purchase decision
  • Approximately 70% of retail purchases are still made in-store despite digital growth
  • Approximately 46% of Americans prefer to shop in-store rather than online
  • 78% of consumers say sustainability influences their purchasing decisions
  • Nearly 80% of retail shoppers research products online before making an in-store purchase
  • More than 50% of retail sales are influenced by online reviews and ratings
  • The average return rate for online retail purchases is about 20%, higher than in-store purchases
  • The majority of consumers (about 70%) prefer shopping at local retail stores over big box brands
  • The average time spent by consumers in retail stores is approximately 30 minutes per visit
  • Retailers investing in sustainability initiatives report a 20% increase in customer loyalty
  • The majority of retail purchases in emerging markets are still cash-based, accounting for about 70% of transactions
  • 40% of retail shoppers prefer to use digital wallets and mobile payments, especially among younger generations

Consumer Behavior and Preferences Interpretation

In an era where 78% of consumers research online yet 70% still prefer in-store shopping, retailers must deftly blend personalized, sustainable experiences with digital-savvy convenience—acknowledging that while cash may still reign in emerging markets, a mobile payment revolution is quietly reshaping our shopping carts.

Future Industry Outlook and Trends

  • The fashion retail industry is expected to reach a valuation of $1.5 trillion globally by 2027
  • 85% of retail executives believe that customer experience will be the key competitive differentiator in the next five years
  • The use of drone delivery in retail logistics is projected to grow at a CAGR of 50.2% from 2023 to 2028
  • The global retail industry is expected to generate over $28 trillion in revenue by 2030, with digital channels accounting for a significant share

Future Industry Outlook and Trends Interpretation

As the fashion retail sector soars to $1.5 trillion by 2027, with customer experience becoming the ultimate battleground and drone deliveries soaring at over 50% annually, it's clear that the industry is swiftly transforming into a high-flying, digital-first arena where innovation and personalized service are the new currency for competitive survival.

Market Performance and Sales Data

  • The global retail sales reached approximately $25.04 trillion in 2022
  • E-commerce sales accounted for 19.5% of total retail sales worldwide in 2022
  • In the United States, retail sales increased by 7.5% in 2022 compared to the previous year
  • Mobile commerce accounted for nearly 45% of all online retail sales in 2022
  • Online retail sales in Europe amounted to €717 billion in 2022, representing about 23% of total retail sales
  • The average retail store size in the U.S. was approximately 13,000 square feet in 2022
  • The retail industry in China is projected to reach $8.05 trillion in sales by 2025
  • Retailers investing in augmented reality expect a 30% increase in conversion rates
  • The use of AI in retail is expected to save $340 billion globally by 2027
  • Subscription box retail sales in the U.S. totaled $12.8 billion in 2023
  • The average retail store experiences a loss of about 2% of inventory annually due to shrinkage
  • Omnichannel retail sales accounted for over 87% of all retail sales in the U.S. in 2022
  • The global beauty and personal care retail market was valued at $511 billion in 2022
  • Lighting improvements in stores can increase sales by up to 40%
  • The online grocery market share in the U.S. was approximately 11% in 2022
  • Environmentally sustainable retail practices are adopted by over 33% of retailers worldwide
  • Contactless payments made up over 40% of US retail transactions in 2022
  • The average discount offered in retail promotions is about 20%
  • Retailers have reported a 33% increase in sales when integrating social media and ecommerce platforms
  • 75% of retailers that adopt digital technology see improved sales performance
  • The global fast fashion market was valued at $35.8 billion in 2022, expected to grow annually by 4.5%
  • The global retail robotic process automation (RPA) market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 22.3% from 2023 to 2030
  • The use of cashier-less stores (like Amazon Go) increased by 126% in 2022
  • The average profit margin in the retail sector varies between 2-3%, depending on the sub-industry
  • The top 10 retail chains in the world account for over 30% of global retail sales
  • Around 25% of retail sales in the US are made during holiday seasons, primarily November and December
  • Retail companies using big data analytics have seen up to a 15% increase in revenue
  • In 2022, Asia-Pacific accounted for about 45% of global retail sales
  • The average retail transaction size in the US was approximately $77 in 2022
  • The global secondhand retail market was valued at $56 billion in 2022, expected to grow at a 15% CAGR through 2027
  • Retail brands with strong loyalty programs see up to a 30% increase in customer retention
  • The leading cause of retail store closures in 2022 was underperformance due to poor sales, accounting for over 50% of closures
  • The top-performing retail categories during the holiday season in 2022 were electronics, apparel, and toys, with sales increases of over 20%

Market Performance and Sales Data Interpretation

In 2022, as global retail sales hit $25.04 trillion with e-commerce claiming nearly one-fifth and mobile commerce nearly half of online sales, the industry dances a delicate balance between tech-driven efficiency—like AI saving $340 billion—and traditional charm, such as lighting that can boost sales by 40%, all while adapting to sustainable practices embraced by a third of retailers worldwide and the rapid rise of cashier-less stores growing 126%, underscoring that in retail, as in life, evolution is the only constant.

Retail Industry Employment and Workforce

  • The retail industry employs over 30 million people in the U.S. alone
  • The majority of retail staff (about 65%) in the US are Millennials or Generation Z
  • The retail industry has seen a 25% rise in employment of digital marketing specialists from 2020 to 2023
  • Nearly 65% of retail staff in North America are satisfied with their jobs, due to improvements in workplace technology

Retail Industry Employment and Workforce Interpretation

With over 30 million Americans fueling the retail engine—primarily Millennials and Gen Z—and a boom in digital marketing and tech-driven job satisfaction, the industry is transforming from a traditional storefront to a vibrant hub of youthful innovation and digital savvy.

Technology Adoption and Digital Integration

  • The average checkout time in retail stores decreased by 15 seconds in 2023 due to automation
  • The adoption of blockchain technology in retail supply chains is projected to grow at a CAGR of 48.7% from 2023 to 2027
  • The bulk of retail innovation in 2022 focused on contactless payments, AI-driven personalization, and automation, according to industry reports
  • The retail industry’s digital transformation investment increased by 40% from 2020 to 2023
  • Retailers with integrated supply chain systems report a 15% reduction in delivery times and inventory costs
  • About 80% of retail brands plan to increase their investment in AI and machine learning technologies in the next two years

Technology Adoption and Digital Integration Interpretation

As retail accelerates into the future with shorter checkout lines, smarter supply chains, and AI-driven innovation, it’s clear that in a world where automation and blockchain are burgeoning at breakneck speeds, the only thing retailers are more committed to than digital transformation is staying one step ahead of the checkout line.

Sources & References