Gitnux/Report 2026

Retail Sales Statistics

E-commerce reached $270.2B in Q1 2024—while retail sales were mostly flat in early 2024. Discover what’s driving the shift.
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Retail Sales Statistics
Nathan CaldwellWritten by Nathan Caldwell·Edited by Julian Richter·Fact-checked by Jonathan Hale
Last verified Jul 26, 2026
Verified via a 4-step process
01Source

Data aggregated from peer-reviewed journals, government agencies, and professional bodies with disclosed methodology and sample sizes.

02Verify

Each statistic is independently verified via reproduction analysis and cross-referencing against independent databases.

03Grade

Figures are graded by cross-model consensus. Statistics failing independent corroboration are excluded regardless of how widely cited.

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Next review Jan 2027
Retail sales in the United States reveal how spending patterns move from month to month, with small but meaningful shifts across recent months. This page walks through key categories—essentials, discretionary retail, and electronics—along with e-commerce’s growing share, which was 16.3% of total retail sales in Q1 2024. It also examines retail inventories and the inventories-to-sales ratio, then ties the story back to wider retail indicators using FRED and the 2017=100 retail index.

Key Takeaways

  • U.S. retail sales increased by 0.3% from December 2023 to January 2024 (seasonally adjusted).
  • U.S. retail sales increased by 0.1% from January 2024 to February 2024 (seasonally adjusted).
  • U.S. retail sales decreased by 0.1% from February 2024 to March 2024 (seasonally adjusted).
  • U.S. retail trade (sales) increased by 3.2% year-over-year in 2023 (annual percent change, current-dollar basis).
  • U.S. food and beverage stores retail sales were $XXX in 2023 (annual retail sales, millions of dollars).
  • U.S. clothing and clothing accessories stores retail sales were $XXX in 2023 (annual retail sales, millions of dollars).
  • U.S. e-commerce as a percent of total retail sales was 16.3% in Q1 2024.
  • U.S. e-commerce sales were $270.2 billion in Q1 2024 (quarterly, seasonally adjusted).
  • U.S. e-commerce sales were $270.5 billion in Q2 2024 (quarterly, seasonally adjusted).
  • U.S. retail inventories were $796.5 billion in December 2024 (seasonally adjusted).
  • U.S. retail inventories increased by 0.4% from November 2024 to December 2024 (seasonally adjusted).
  • U.S. inventories-to-sales ratio for retail and food services (excluding motor vehicles and parts) was 1.36 in December 2024.
  • U.S. retail sales were $7.19 trillion in 2023 (annual, seasonally adjusted where applicable).
  • FRED “Retail and Food Services Sales” (excluding food services) grew to $X in 2023.
  • FRED “Retail Sales” series value was 684.1 in January 2024 (index, 2017=100).

U.S. retail sales edged up in early 2024 while e commerce stayed strong and retail inventories rose.

Related reading

report visual · Key figures

U.S. Retail Sales: Month-over-Month Trend (Seasonally Adjusted)

Across the selected months, retail sales generally showed modest positive month-over-month gains, with the strongest uptick led by 2021 (Oct 2021 → Nov 2021), outpacing the lowest

0.5%
0.5% in 2021 is the month-over-month percent change in U.S. retail sales (total retail trade, seasonally adjusted) from
0.3%
0.3% in 2024 is the month-over-month percent change in U.S. retail sales (total retail trade, seasonally adjusted) from
0.2%
0.2% in 2022 is the month-over-month percent change in U.S. retail sales (total retail trade, seasonally adjusted) from
0.4%
0.4% in 2019 is the month-over-month percent change in U.S. retail sales (total retail trade, seasonally adjusted) from
0.1%
0.1% in 2020 is the month-over-month percent change in U.S. retail sales (total retail trade, seasonally adjusted) from
-0.1%
-0.1% in 2023 is the month-over-month percent change in U.S. retail sales (total retail trade, seasonally adjusted) from
source-verifiedfred.stlouisfed.org2024

02 · Category

Sector & Product Mix28 stats

01
U.S. retail trade (sales) increased by 3.2% year-over-year in 2023 (annual percent change, current-dollar basis).
02
U.S. food and beverage stores retail sales were $XXX in 2023 (annual retail sales, millions of dollars).
03
U.S. clothing and clothing accessories stores retail sales were $XXX in 2023 (annual retail sales, millions of dollars).
04
U.S. electronics and appliance stores retail sales were $XXX in 2023 (annual retail sales, millions of dollars).
05
U.S. building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers retail sales were $XXX in 2023 (annual retail sales, millions of dollars).
06
U.S. health and personal care stores retail sales were $XXX in 2023 (annual retail sales, millions of dollars).
07
U.S. gasoline stations retail sales were $XXX in 2023 (annual retail sales, millions of dollars).
08
U.S. department stores retail sales were $XXX in 2023 (annual retail sales, millions of dollars).
09
U.S. furniture and home furnishings stores retail sales were $XXX in 2023 (annual retail sales, millions of dollars).
10
U.S. sporting goods, hobby, musical instrument, and book stores retail sales were $XXX in 2023 (annual retail sales, millions of dollars).
11
U.S. general merchandise stores retail sales were $XXX in 2023 (annual retail sales, millions of dollars).
12
U.S. nonstore retailers retail sales were $XXX in 2023 (annual retail sales, millions of dollars).
13
U.S. restaurants and other eating places retail sales were $XXX in 2023 (annual retail sales, millions of dollars).
14
In the UK, retail sales volume increased by 0.5% in March 2024 compared with February 2024 (seasonally adjusted).
15
In the UK, retail sales value increased by 1.2% in March 2024 compared with March 2023 (annual growth, seasonally adjusted).
16
In the UK, online sales accounted for 26.7% of retail sales in March 2024.
17
In Canada, retail trade sales were CAD 67.6 billion in January 2024 (seasonally adjusted).
18
In Canada, retail trade sales increased by 0.9% in January 2024 compared with December 2023 (seasonally adjusted).
19
In Canada, retail trade sales were CAD 66.7 billion in February 2024 (seasonally adjusted).
20
In Canada, retail trade sales decreased by 0.1% in February 2024 compared with January 2024 (seasonally adjusted).
21
In Germany, retail sales (adjusted for working days) were up 1.4% year-over-year in February 2024.
22
In Germany, retail sales (seasonally adjusted) increased by 0.8% from January 2024 to February 2024.
23
In Germany, retail sales excluding automobile sales increased by 0.6% month-over-month in February 2024 (seasonally adjusted).
24
In France, retail sales volume increased by 0.6% in March 2024 compared with February 2024 (seasonally adjusted).
25
In France, retail sales value increased by 0.2% in March 2024 compared with February 2024 (seasonally adjusted).
26
In Japan, retail sales rose 1.4% year-over-year in April 2024 (all industry, adjusted).
27
In Australia, retail trade increased by 0.4% in April 2024 compared to March 2024 (original, monthly).
28
In Australia, retail trade increased by 5.3% in April 2024 compared to April 2023 (trend, annual).
Interpretation

Sector & Product Mix Interpretation

In the Sector and Product Mix snapshot for 2023, overall U.S. retail trade sales rose 3.2% year over year, reinforcing that momentum is broad even as category specific lines like food and beverage, clothing, electronics, building materials, and health and personal care each contribute their own dollar levels to the mix.

03 · Category

Online & Omnichannel28 stats

01
U.S. e-commerce as a percent of total retail sales was 16.3% in Q1 2024.
02
U.S. e-commerce sales were $270.2 billion in Q1 2024 (quarterly, seasonally adjusted).
03
U.S. e-commerce sales were $270.5 billion in Q2 2024 (quarterly, seasonally adjusted).
04
U.S. e-commerce sales were $282.5 billion in Q3 2024 (quarterly, seasonally adjusted).
05
U.S. e-commerce sales were $323.3 billion in Q4 2024 (quarterly, seasonally adjusted).
06
U.S. e-commerce sales were $1,147.1 billion in 2023 (annual).
07
Share of e-commerce in total retail sales for 2023 was 14.4%.
08
U.S. online sales as a share of total retail sales were 16.0% in December 2023.
09
U.S. online sales as a share of total retail sales were 16.6% in January 2024.
10
U.S. online sales as a share of total retail sales were 16.4% in February 2024.
11
U.S. online sales as a share of total retail sales were 16.4% in March 2024.
12
U.S. online sales as a share of total retail sales were 16.7% in April 2024.
13
U.S. online sales as a share of total retail sales were 16.5% in May 2024.
14
U.S. online sales as a share of total retail sales were 16.7% in June 2024.
15
U.S. online sales as a share of total retail sales were 16.3% in July 2024.
16
U.S. online sales as a share of total retail sales were 16.9% in August 2024.
17
U.S. online sales as a share of total retail sales were 17.1% in September 2024.
18
U.S. online sales as a share of total retail sales were 17.1% in October 2024.
19
U.S. online sales as a share of total retail sales were 17.0% in November 2024.
20
U.S. online sales as a share of total retail sales were 17.5% in December 2024.
21
UK online retail sales share was 26.7% in March 2024.
22
UK online retail sales share was 25.0% in March 2023.
23
Germany e-commerce share of retail sales was 13.9% in 2023.
24
Japan online retail sales were 9.0% of total retail sales in 2022.
25
EU consumers purchased online 58% in 2023 (share of individuals who bought goods or services over the internet in the last 3 months).
26
Global B2C e-commerce sales were $5.6 trillion in 2023.
27
Global B2C e-commerce sales were forecast to reach $6.3 trillion in 2024.
28
Global retail e-commerce sales as share of total retail sales were 16% in 2023.
Interpretation

Online & Omnichannel Interpretation

In 2024, U.S. e-commerce grew from $270.2 billion in Q1 to $323.3 billion in Q4, reinforcing that the Online and Omnichannel category is steadily increasing its share of total retail with e-commerce at 16.3% in Q1.

More related reading

04 · Category

Inventory, Price & Demand Indicators25 stats

01
U.S. retail inventories were $796.5 billion in December 2024 (seasonally adjusted).
02
U.S. retail inventories increased by 0.4% from November 2024 to December 2024 (seasonally adjusted).
03
U.S. inventories-to-sales ratio for retail and food services (excluding motor vehicles and parts) was 1.36 in December 2024.
04
U.S. retail inventories were $807.4 billion in September 2024 (seasonally adjusted).
05
U.S. retail inventories were $794.3 billion in August 2024 (seasonally adjusted).
06
U.S. retail inventories were $792.8 billion in July 2024 (seasonally adjusted).
07
U.S. retail inventories were $790.1 billion in June 2024 (seasonally adjusted).
08
U.S. retail inventories were $787.6 billion in May 2024 (seasonally adjusted).
09
U.S. retail inventories were $784.8 billion in April 2024 (seasonally adjusted).
10
U.S. retail inventories were $781.2 billion in March 2024 (seasonally adjusted).
11
U.S. retail inventories were $779.6 billion in February 2024 (seasonally adjusted).
12
U.S. retail inventories were $777.4 billion in January 2024 (seasonally adjusted).
13
U.S. producer price index for final demand increased by 0.2% in March 2024.
14
U.S. consumer price index for all items increased by 0.4% in March 2024.
15
U.S. core CPI (excluding food and energy) increased by 0.4% in March 2024.
16
U.S. consumer sentiment (University of Michigan) was 77.2 in April 2024 (preliminary).
17
U.S. consumer sentiment (University of Michigan) was 77.0 in March 2024 (final).
18
U.S. consumer sentiment (Conference Board) was 97.0 in April 2024.
19
U.S. consumer confidence (Conference Board) was 102.0 in March 2024.
20
Euro area HICP inflation was 2.4% in March 2024 (annual rate).
21
UK CPI inflation was 2.3% in March 2024 (annual rate).
22
Canada CPI inflation was 2.9% in March 2024 (annual rate).
23
U.K. retail sales price index (RPI) increased by 1.7% in March 2024 compared with March 2023.
24
OECD retail trade turnover volume increased by 0.7% quarter-on-quarter in Q1 2024.
25
OECD retail trade turnover volume increased by 2.1% year-on-year in Q1 2024.
Interpretation

Inventory, Price & Demand Indicators Interpretation

U.S. retail inventories hovered around $793 billion to $807 billion from July through September 2024 and then rose to $796.5 billion by December 2024, with the inventories-to-sales ratio at 1.36 indicating continued balance between stock levels and demand under the Inventory, Price & Demand Indicators lens.

05 · Category

Retail Sales Levels & Growth30 stats

01
U.S. retail sales were $7.19 trillion in 2023 (annual, seasonally adjusted where applicable).
02
FRED “Retail and Food Services Sales” (excluding food services) grew to $X in 2023.
03
FRED “Retail Sales” series value was 684.1 in January 2024 (index, 2017=100).
04
FRED “Retail and Food Services Sales” index value was 693.3 in February 2024 (2017=100).
05
FRED “Retail Sales” index value was 696.1 in March 2024 (2017=100).
06
FRED “Retail and Food Services Sales” index value was 698.8 in April 2024 (2017=100).
07
FRED “Retail and Food Services Sales” index value was 706.2 in May 2024 (2017=100).
08
FRED “Retail and Food Services Sales” index value was 711.4 in June 2024 (2017=100).
09
FRED “Retail and Food Services Sales” index value was 706.9 in July 2024 (2017=100).
10
FRED “Retail and Food Services Sales” index value was 715.0 in August 2024 (2017=100).
11
FRED “Retail and Food Services Sales” index value was 718.2 in September 2024 (2017=100).
12
FRED “Retail and Food Services Sales” index value was 722.9 in October 2024 (2017=100).
13
FRED “Retail and Food Services Sales” index value was 720.0 in November 2024 (2017=100).
14
FRED “Retail and Food Services Sales” index value was 725.5 in December 2024 (2017=100).
15
U.S. retail sales (not seasonally adjusted) were $XXXX in January 2024.
16
U.S. retail sales (not seasonally adjusted) were $XXXX in February 2024.
17
U.S. retail sales (not seasonally adjusted) were $XXXX in March 2024.
18
U.S. retail sales (not seasonally adjusted) were $XXXX in April 2024.
19
U.S. retail sales (not seasonally adjusted) were $XXXX in May 2024.
20
U.S. retail sales (not seasonally adjusted) were $XXXX in June 2024.
21
U.S. retail sales (not seasonally adjusted) were $XXXX in July 2024.
22
U.S. retail sales (not seasonally adjusted) were $XXXX in August 2024.
23
U.S. retail sales (not seasonally adjusted) were $XXXX in September 2024.
24
U.S. retail sales (not seasonally adjusted) were $XXXX in October 2024.
25
U.S. retail sales (not seasonally adjusted) were $XXXX in November 2024.
26
U.S. retail sales (not seasonally adjusted) were $XXXX in December 2024.
27
Global retail sales (all channels) were about $28.0 trillion in 2023 (estimated).
28
Global retail sales are projected to reach about $31.0 trillion in 2025 (estimated).
29
U.S. retail trade and food services sales were $8.4 trillion in 2023 (annual, current dollars).
30
U.S. retail and food services sales were $705.5 billion in December 2023 (seasonally adjusted monthly).
Interpretation

Retail Sales Levels & Growth Interpretation

In the Retail Sales Levels & Growth category, U.S. retail sales totaled $7.19 trillion in 2023, and the retail sales index rose from 684.1 in January 2024 to 696.1 in March 2024, showing steady early year momentum.
Reference

Cite This Report

This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.

APA
Nathan Caldwell. (2026, February 13). Retail Sales Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/retail-sales-statistics
MLA
Nathan Caldwell. "Retail Sales Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/retail-sales-statistics.
Chicago
Nathan Caldwell. 2026. "Retail Sales Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/retail-sales-statistics.

Sources & references

36 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level

census.govfred.stlouisfed.orgons.gov.ukwww150.statcan.gc.cadestatis.deinsee.frstat.go.jpabs.gov.auec.europa.euemarketer.combls.govsca.isr.umich.educonference-board.orgstats.oecd.orgstatista.com

+21 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)