In December 2021, total retail sales in the United States grew by approximately 16.7 percent when compared to the same period in 2020. Many industries, including gasoline stations, clothing outlets, as well as hobby stores, experienced considerable growth in terms of sales compared to one year ago.

Between November and December 2021, total retail sales in the United States had decreased by roughly two and a half percent. The coronavirus pandemic had caused major blows to U.S. retail when it first became a global emergency, i.e., during March and April 2020. As of January 2022, the United States had accounted for over 60 million COVID-19 cases since the beginning of the pandemic.

Which industries did COVID-19 affect the most? The COVID-19 crisis caused consumers to shift their spending focus towards necessities: in other words, people in the United States had been spending more on groceries and household supplies. Most other industries, including out-of-home entertainment, restaurants, apparel and footwear stores, saw a substantial decrease in consumer spending as a result of the virus outbreak.

Hoarding behavior among consumers Not only have consumers changed what they buy, there have also been times when shoppers would purchase larger quantities: during the first weeks of the pandemic, hoarding was very prominent among households in the United States. Over the later quarters, pantry filling and hoarding behavior fluctuated, but showed a mostly downward trend.

For further information about the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, please visit our dedicated Facts and Figures page.

CN: Retail Sales of Consumer Goods: ytd: Wholesale & Retail Trade: Tibet: Xigaze data was reported at 12.142 RMB bn in Dec 2022. This records a decrease from the previous number of 13.639 RMB bn for Dec 2021. CN: Retail Sales of Consumer Goods: ytd: Wholesale & Retail Trade: Tibet: Xigaze data is updated monthly, averaging 5.680 RMB bn from Dec 2010 (Median) to Dec 2022, with 11 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 13.639 RMB bn in Dec 2021 and a record low of 2.987 RMB bn in Dec 2010. CN: Retail Sales of Consumer Goods: ytd: Wholesale & Retail Trade: Tibet: Xigaze data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Xigaze Municipal Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Consumer Goods and Services – Table CN.HE: Retail Sales of Consumer Goods: Prefecture Level City: Wholesale & Retail Trade: Monthly.

Retail Sales of Consumer Goods: Year to Date: Wholesale & Retail Trade: Zhejiang: Taizhou data was reported at 225.950 RMB bn in Dec 2021. This records an increase from the previous number of 209.790 RMB bn for Dec 2020. Retail Sales of Consumer Goods: Year to Date: Wholesale & Retail Trade: Zhejiang: Taizhou data is updated monthly, averaging 44.347 RMB bn from Dec 1994 (Median) to Dec 2021, with 73 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 225.950 RMB bn in Dec 2021 and a record low of 9.233 RMB bn in Dec 1994. Retail Sales of Consumer Goods: Year to Date: Wholesale & Retail Trade: Zhejiang: Taizhou data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Tai zhou Municipal Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Consumer Goods and Services – Table CN.HE: Retail Sales of Consumer Goods: Prefecture Level City: Wholesale & Retail Trade: Monthly.

Retail Sales in the United States increased 0.20 percent in September of 2025 over the previous month. This dataset provides - U.S. December Retail Sales Increased More Than Forecast - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

The beginning of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and the lockdowns in Turkey affected the shopping behavior of many consumers, directing them to e-commerce. That effect caused a dramatic increase in the share of e-commerce in traditional retail from March 2020. The percentage of e-commerce in total retail peaked in December 2021 in Turkey, with an over-**-percent ratio, while in 2019, it was mostly around ***** percent.

This statistic shows the annual change in retail sales of clothing stores in Canada from 2012 to 2016, with the monthly change in December of each year provided from 2017 to 2021. Retail sales of clothing stores in Canada increased by 38 percent in December 2021 compared to December 2020.

Retail Sales of Consumer Goods: Year to Date: Wholesale & Retail Trade: Tibet: Lhasa data was reported at 36.496 RMB bn in Dec 2021. This records an increase from the previous number of 35.068 RMB bn for Dec 2019. Retail Sales of Consumer Goods: Year to Date: Wholesale & Retail Trade: Tibet: Lhasa data is updated monthly, averaging 16.469 RMB bn from Dec 2010 (Median) to Dec 2021, with 10 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 36.496 RMB bn in Dec 2021 and a record low of 7.758 RMB bn in Dec 2010. Retail Sales of Consumer Goods: Year to Date: Wholesale & Retail Trade: Tibet: Lhasa data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Lhasa Municipal Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Consumer Goods and Services – Table CN.HE: Retail Sales of Consumer Goods: Prefecture Level City: Wholesale & Retail Trade: Monthly.

This statistic shows the monthly retail sales index of pet animals and pet food in Denmark of the last three years. In December 2021, the retail sales index of this pet supply category stood at approximately *** points.

In September 2025, sales in German book retail increased by *** percent, compared to the previous month. Figures fluctuated during the specified time period.

Retail sales index in Chile, October, 2025 The most recent value is 133.7 index points as of October 2025, an increase compared to the previous value of 121.78 index points. Historically, the average for Chile from January 2005 to October 2025 is 93.39 index points. The minimum of 45.45 index points was recorded in February 2005, while the maximum of 168.61 index points was reached in December 2021. | TheGlobalEconomy.com

In France, the total value of retail sales made over the holiday season (mid-November to the end of December) is forecast to amount to about ** billion British pounds in 2024, remaining quite similar to total Christmas retail sales in previous years.

Retail Sales of Consumer Goods: Year to Date: Wholesale & Retail Trade: Hunan: Zhuzhou data was reported at 120.750 RMB bn in Dec 2023. This records an increase from the previous number of 111.186 RMB bn for Dec 2021. Retail Sales of Consumer Goods: Year to Date: Wholesale & Retail Trade: Hunan: Zhuzhou data is updated monthly, averaging 27.566 RMB bn from Jun 2008 (Median) to Dec 2023, with 113 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 120.750 RMB bn in Dec 2023 and a record low of 4.201 RMB bn in Jan 2011. Retail Sales of Consumer Goods: Year to Date: Wholesale & Retail Trade: Hunan: Zhuzhou data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Zhuzhou Municipal Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Consumer Goods and Services – Table CN.HE: Retail Sales of Consumer Goods: Prefecture Level City: Wholesale & Retail Trade: Monthly.

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The online retail market share in the US is expected to increase to USD 460.13 billion from 2021 to 2026, and the market’s growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 11.64%.

The report extensively covers online retail market in the US segmentation by the following:

Product - Apparel, footwear, and accessories, consumer electronics and electricals, food and grocery, home furniture and furnishing, and others
Device - Smartphones and tablets and PCs

The US online retail market report offers information on several market vendors, including Amazon.com Inc., Apple Inc., Best Buy Co. Inc., Costco Wholesale Corp., eBay Inc., Kroger Co., Target Corp., The Home Depot Inc., Walmart Inc., and Wayfair Inc. among others.

This online retail market in the US research report provides valuable insights on the post COVID-19 impact on the market, which will help companies evaluate their business approaches.

What will the Online Retail Market Size in the US be During the Forecast Period?

Download the Free Report Sample to Unlock the Online Retail Market Size in the US for the Forecast Period and Other Important Statistics

Online Retail Market in the US: Key Drivers, Trends, and Challenges

The growing seasonal and holiday sales is notably driving the online retail market growth in the US, although factors such as transportation and logistics may impede the market growth. Our research analysts have studied the historical data and deduced the key market drivers and the COVID-19 pandemic impact on the online retail industry in the US. The holistic analysis of the drivers will help in deducing end goals and refining marketing strategies to gain a competitive edge.

Key US Online Retail Market Driver

The growing seasonal and holiday sales is one of the key drivers supporting the US online retail market growth. For instance, from November 1 to December 24, e-commerce sales in the US increased by 11% in 2021, when compared to a massive 47.2% growth in the holiday season of 2020. E-commerce sales made up 20.9 % of total retail sales in the holiday season of 2021, slightly higher than 20.6 percent in 2020. Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday are the days that see a high amount of online shopping. Apparel, footwear and accessories, consumer electronics, computer hardware, and toys are the largest gaining product categories during the holiday season. Consumers in the US spent $204.5 billion online in November and December 2021, up 8.6% over the same period in 2020. Such exciting sales and offers are driving the market growth.

Key US Online Retail Market Trend

Omni-channel retailing is one of the key US online retail market trends fueling the market growth. It is rapidly becoming the norm for many retailers in the US. It offers consumers the option to shop online and pick up the merchandise from the store nearest to their location on the same day. Retailers are observing a high web influence on their in-store sales. For instance, Best Buy is integrating its offline and online stores to boost revenues. As a part of its omnichannel strategy, the retailer is utilizing physical stores as distribution centers for online purchases. According to Best Buy, 40% of its online shoppers prefer picking up their purchases from physical stores. Best Buy also challenges online and discount retailers with its match-to-price strategy, claiming to offer gadgets at or below the price offered by competitors. Such strategies are expected to boost market growth during the forecast period.

Key US Online Retail Market Challenge

Transportation and logistics are some of the factors hindering the US online retail market growth. Product procurement or sourcing, shipment of ordered items, and delivery to customers are the three major processes where the intervention of transportation and logistics come into the picture. All these processes require a high investment of both time and money, which challenges the efficiency and effectiveness of retailers and their costing strategies. The higher cost incurred from transportation and logistics reduces the margin of retailers, and most of the time, retailers are unable to break even. Between rising fuel prices, driver shortages, as well as a governmental and societal push for increased digitization and sustainability, transport and logistics will continue to be under a lot of pressure. Such factors will negatively impact the market growth during the forecast period.

This online retail market in the US analysis report also provides detailed information on other upcoming trends and challenges that will have a far-reaching effect on the market growth. The actionable insights on the trends and challenges will help companies evaluate and develop growth strategies for 2022-2026.

Who are the Major Online Retail Market Vendors in the US?

The report analyzes the market’s competitive landscape and offers information on several market vendors, includi

United States - Sales: Retail trade: Total retail trade: Volume for the Republic of Korea was 117.57180 Index 2015=100 in March of 2024, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, United States - Sales: Retail trade: Total retail trade: Volume for the Republic of Korea reached a record high of 126.72000 in December of 2021 and a record low of 30.96803 in February of 1990. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for United States - Sales: Retail trade: Total retail trade: Volume for the Republic of Korea - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on November of 2025.

The total value of retail sales made over the holiday season (mid-November to the end of December) is forecast to amount to about **** billion U.S. dollars in 2024, just a slight drop compared to the previous year.

Retail Sales of Consumer Goods: Year to Date: Wholesale & Retail Trade: Ningxia: Zhongwei data was reported at 11.541 RMB bn in Dec 2022. This records a decrease from the previous number of 11.590 RMB bn for Dec 2021. Retail Sales of Consumer Goods: Year to Date: Wholesale & Retail Trade: Ningxia: Zhongwei data is updated monthly, averaging 4.927 RMB bn from Dec 2011 (Median) to Dec 2022, with 13 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 11.590 RMB bn in Dec 2021 and a record low of 2.677 RMB bn in Mar 2020. Retail Sales of Consumer Goods: Year to Date: Wholesale & Retail Trade: Ningxia: Zhongwei data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Zhongwei Municipal Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Consumer Goods and Services – Table CN.HE: Retail Sales of Consumer Goods: Prefecture Level City: Wholesale & Retail Trade: Monthly.

There was a significant variation in the monthly retail sales of clothing stores in the United States from January 2017 to July 2025. In July 2025, clothing store sales were estimated to reach roughly ** billion U.S. dollars. This was slightly higher than the value in the same month in the previous year. Sales peak in December Clothing sales in the United States very clearly peak during December of each year. In December 2024, sales reached over **** billion U.S. dollars. This was roughly twice as much compared to the beginning of the year in January 2024. December 2024 also saw an increase of around *** million dollars compared to the previous year. Christmas shopping in the U.S. These higher sales are driven by people shopping for the holiday season, buying gifts for family, friends, or even themselves. In 2024, clothing/shoes was the most common gift category in the United States, with around ** percent of consumers intending to buy these items for others. Total holiday retail sales in the United States were estimated to hit new highs of around *** billion U.S. dollars in 2024, an increase of approximately ** billion dollars compared to the previous year.