Market Size statistics on the Supermarkets & Grocery Stores industry in the US

Grocery store sales have grown dramatically since the 90’s. Since 1992, sales have more than doubled. The total sales generated by grocery stores in the United States in 2024 amounted to ***** billion U.S. dollars. Top Supermarket Chains The U.S. grocery retail market is dominated by chain supermarkets. In 2018 there were around ****** chain supermarket locations in the United States, compared to only ***** independent supermarkets. The leading American supermarket in terms of sales is the Kroger Company, which owns and operates several smaller supermarket chains across the United States. In 2023, Kroger’s total retail sales reached close to *** billion U.S. dollars. The runner-up, Albertsons, generated some **** billion U.S. dollars in sales that year. Americans at the Grocery Store Going to the grocery store is a familiar and comforting ritual for many Americans. In 2017, a survey of American households found that ** percent of Americans make a weekly trip to the grocery store, while some *** percent went to the grocery store four to seven times in a week. Although many products on the shelves of U.S. supermarkets claim to have various health benefits or that they were produced or sourced ethically, American consumers are most drawn to food products that claim to be fresh or farm-fresh.

Supermarkets and grocery stores have significantly transformed in recent years, driven by technological advancements and shifting consumer preferences. E-commerce has become a cornerstone of the industry, with over 70.0% of grocery retailers integrating online ordering and fulfillment into their operations in 2025. This shift has been fueled by consumer demand for convenience and efficient shopping experiences, prompting retailers to invest heavily in curbside pickup and home delivery services. Major players like Kroger have leveraged these innovations to maintain a competitive edge, while third-party delivery platforms like Instacart have enabled smaller grocers to compete with larger chains. The adoption of "dark stores" and AI-driven technologies has further optimized operations but heightened competition has limited revenue expansion. Over the past five years, revenue has been slipping at a CAGR of 0.1%, reversing course in 2025 to climb 1.1%, reaching $883.1 million. Over the past five years, the industry has faced rising labor costs and competition from discount grocers and private-label products. Automation has played a crucial role in managing these pressures, with more than 50.0% of transactions in major chains processed through self-checkout systems in 2025. Despite these advancements, wages have continued to rise, accounting for an estimated 10.7% of revenue. This has led retailers to focus on strategic pricing and the promotion of high-margin private-label products to sustain profit. The proliferation of discount grocers like Aldi and Lidl has intensified competition, forcing traditional supermarkets to innovate and adapt to retain market share. Looking ahead, supermarkets and grocery stores are likely to endure steady but marginal revenue growth over the next five years, influenced by economic and demographic factors. Increases in per capita disposable income and consumer spending suggest a stable economic environment that could bolster sales of premium and specialty grocery items. However, declines in the agricultural price index may pressure revenue growth, as lower prices could reduce sales value. Urban population growth will continue to drive demand for grocery products, encouraging retailers to adopt urban-centric strategies. Upcoming FDA regulations on product labeling and ongoing geopolitical tensions will present challenges and opportunities for the industry. Retailers that can navigate these complexities and align with evolving consumer preferences, such as the rise of functional foods and the "quiet luxury" trend, will be well-positioned to thrive in a rapidly changing market landscape. Revenue is anticipated to expand marginally over the next five years at a CAGR of less than 0.1%, totaling $883.3 million in 2030.

In 2024, U.S. supermarket and other grocery store sales amounted to about ***** billion U.S. dollars. This is more than double the sales amounts that were generated back in 1992. Supermarkets and grocery stores in the U.S. WalMart stores dominated sales of the leading grocery retailers in 2023, generating close to *** billion U.S. dollars. Kroger and Ahold Delhaize each reached sales numbers of about *** and ** billion U.S. dollars, respectively, within the same period. In 2018, there were over 38,000 supermarket stores in the United States. Over ** percent of this total were supermarket chains. Supermarket formats In the United States, there are various types of supermarkets consumers can visit, such as natural/gourmet food supermarkets, warehouse grocery stores, and military commissaries. The most common type of supermarket in the country is one of the conventional kind. In 2018, there were just over ****** conventional supermarkets in the United States. The second most common type is the supercenter for groceries and mass merchandise, of which there were about ***** that year.

Graph and download economic data for Retail Sales: Supermarkets and Other Grocery (Except Convenience) Stores (MRTSSM44511USN) from Jan 2001 to May 2025 about groceries, retail trade, sales, retail, and USA.

Employment statistics on the Supermarkets & Grocery Stores industry in the US

In 2025, the leading grocery stores in the United States held close to two thirds of the total industry market share. Walmart held the top position with **** percent, followed by Kroger at just under **** percent. Kroger Co. As one of the leading supermarket chains, Kroger has been become a favorite among consumers. Founded by Bernard Kroger in 1883, the company opened its first store in Cincinnati, Ohio and now operates more than ***** grocery retail stores in the United States. Grocery shopping behavior Among the diverse options for food acquisition, supermarkets and superstores are the preferred for consumers. Even though online grocery shopping is on the rise, it is still not up to par with warehouse clubs or discount stores. When it comes to frequency, grocery shopping trips have decreased since the early 2000s, perhaps to adapt to economic pressures like inflation, which has drastically changed the way consumers shop.

This statistic shows the revenue of the industry “grocery stores“ in the U.S. from 2012 to 2017, with a forecast to 2024. It is projected that the revenue of grocery stores in the U.S. will amount to approximately ***** billion U.S. Dollars by 2024.

Retail Sales in the United States increased 0.50 percent in July 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.

Supermarkets Market is Segmented Into by Product Category (Fresh Food, Dry and Packaged Grocery, Beverages and More), Store Format ( Hypermarkets (Greater Than 60 K Sq Ft), Large Supermarkets (30–60 K Sq Ft) and More), Service Model / Channel (In-Store Only, Click and Collect, and More) Ownership Type (Chain-Owned Corporate, Franchisee-Operated and More) and Geography. The Market Forecasts are Provided in Terms of Value (USD).

Walmart captured a **** percent share of the U.S. food and beverage market, making it the top food and beverage retailer in the United States in 2016. Kroger came in second place, with an *** percent share of the market. Walmart in the United States Walmart is by far the biggest retailer in the United States. In 2017, the company generated about ***** billion U.S. dollars in retail sales in the United States. To put that figure in perspective, the e-commerce giant Amazon.com only had retail sales of about *** billion U.S. dollars. Between 2015 and 2019, the U.S. segment of Walmart has experienced positive and increasingly larger sales growth rates. Between 2018 and 2019, Walmart U.S. sales increased by *** percent. U.S. Supermarkets As of 2018, there were about ****** supermarkets in the United States. Most of these supermarkets are categorized as conventional supermarkets. Some other common types of supermarkets are supercenters, limited assortment supermarkets, and natural/gourmet food markets. About ** percent of all U.S. supermarket sales are attributed to the perishables department. This department includes meat, fresh produce, and dairy, among other categories.

Supermarkets have maintained stable volume-driven business strategies amid a pricing environment that has been in the spotlight. Conflict in the Middle East, avian flu outbreaks and other inflationary pressures have driven prices up, with many stores passing on these costs to consumers. While consumers are paying more for groceries and upstream suppliers are seeing their margins shrink, supermarkets Coles and Woolworths have maintained relatively stable profit margins, among the highest in the world. The continued expansion of Aldi and Amazon has forced the two established industry giants to shift gears recently to remain price-competitive on both the physical store and online service fronts, launching short-term price discounting initiatives. These supermarket giants also rely on loyalty programs and promotions. Coles and Woolworths have displayed interest in data analytics, strengthening their relationships with analytics data giants like Palantir to optimise their marketing and operational processes. The ACCC's landmark supermarkets inquiry, while not finding evidence of price gouging, identified 20 key recommendations that would ensure a more sustainable market and avoid oligopolistic exploitation. Supermarket and grocery revenue rose significantly following the COVID-19 outbreak. A combination of panic buying, along with the suspension of many specials and promotions in supermarkets, boosted grocery turnover at the beginning of the period, spiking revenue for the two years through 2020-21. This high benchmark at the start of the period has resulted in an industry correction and an annualised revenue contraction of 0.4% to $144.3 billion over the five years through 2025-26. Revenue is estimated to climb 0.4% in 2025-26, reflecting the price-driven industry growth that falling tobacco sales have offset. Supermarkets and grocery stores are set to perform well, with industry revenue slated to climb at an annualised 1.5% through 2030-31 to $155.6 billion. Population growth will remain a key growth factor that stores rely on, as many continue a volume-driven business approach to generating revenue. Should the transparency-related recommendations from the ACCC's inquiry be implemented, some price-driven growth may be curtailed. Eventually, when inflationary pressures subside and consumer sentiment returns to a positive level, supermarkets and grocers will be well-positioned to take advantage of consumer appetite for value-added and premium goods. Strong growth in online sales is set to continue.

Graph and download economic data for Employment for Retail Trade: Supermarkets and Other Grocery (Except Convenience) Stores (NAICS 44511) in the United States (IPUHN44511W200000000) from 1987 to 2024 about groceries, NAICS, retail trade, sales, retail, employment, and USA.

A detailed dataset exploring the retail industry in 2025, including market size, store counts, revenue trends, AI integration, and consumer behavior across the US and globally.

In 2024, total retail and food service sales reached **** trillion U.S. dollars for the first time in the United States. This is more than **** times the sales numbers that were generated in 1992, not adjusting for inflation. Leading retailers and store types In 2023, the leading food and grocery retailer in the United States was by far Walmart, which generated sales numbers of close to *** billion U.S. dollars that year. The Kroger Co., Costco Wholesale Club, and Ahold Delhaize were also among the top U.S. retailers. With a grocery market share of almost ** percent, the supermarket was the top store type in 2018. The warehouse clubs and superstores category stood in second place, accounting for almost a quarter of the U.S. market. Consumer habits The American consumer made an average of a little more than *** and a half trips to the grocery store per week in 2023. The average amount of trips has noticeably decreased, compared to a decade earlier. In recent times, online grocery shopping has also become an option for consumers. The concept is projected to grow considerably in the coming years, reaching roughly *** billion U.S. dollars’ worth of sales numbers in the United States by 2024.

Graph and download economic data for Advance Retail Sales: Grocery Stores (RSGCS) from Jan 1992 to Jun 2025 about groceries, retail trade, sales, retail, and USA.

Graph and download economic data for Labor Productivity for Retail Trade: Supermarkets and Other Grocery (Except Convenience) Stores (NAICS 445110) in the United States (IPUHN445110L001000000) from 1988 to 2024 about groceries, productivity, NAICS, retail trade, labor, sales, retail, and USA.

Graph and download economic data for Real Sectoral Output for Retail Trade: Supermarkets and Other Grocery (Except Convenience) Stores (NAICS 445110) in the United States (IPUHN445110T010000000) from 1987 to 2024 about groceries, output, NAICS, retail trade, sales, retail, and USA.

The global supermarkets market, valued at $980 million in 2025, is projected to experience steady growth, exhibiting a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 3.30% from 2025 to 2033. This growth is fueled by several key factors. The increasing urbanization and changing consumer lifestyles are driving demand for convenient and readily accessible grocery options. The rise of e-commerce and online grocery delivery services is further bolstering market expansion, providing consumers with greater choice and flexibility. Furthermore, the growing middle class in developing economies, particularly in Asia-Pacific, is contributing significantly to market growth, as increased disposable incomes translate into higher spending on groceries. Competition within the sector remains fierce, with major players such as Walmart, Tesco, and Lotte Shopping continually investing in technological advancements and expanding their retail networks to maintain market share. The market is segmented by ownership (retail chains and independent retailers) and application (consumer electronics, furniture, food and beverage, toys, personal care products, cosmetics, home textiles, clothing, and other applications). This diverse segmentation reflects the evolving nature of supermarket offerings, moving beyond purely grocery items to include a wide range of consumer goods. The supermarket market's growth trajectory is not without its challenges. Economic fluctuations and inflationary pressures can impact consumer spending habits, potentially slowing market expansion. Rising operating costs, including labor and real estate expenses, also pose challenges for supermarket operators. Furthermore, the intense competition necessitates continuous innovation and strategic investments to attract and retain customers in a dynamic market environment. Successful players will need to adapt to evolving consumer preferences, leverage technological advancements for improved efficiency and customer experience, and effectively manage operational costs to secure sustained profitability and growth within the competitive landscape. The market's future growth hinges on the ability of key players to navigate these challenges while capitalizing on emerging opportunities in e-commerce and expanding into new and underserved markets. Recent developments include: In February 2023, UAE retailer GMG acquired supermarket chain Aswaaq, which added 22 supermarkets to GMG's retail network. This acquisition brings strategic milestones to GMG operations with its continuous expansion of retail, trading, and property., In August 2022, Walmart acquired Volt Systems. Volt System is a technology company that provides suppliers with enhanced on-demand visibility into merchandising resources. The deal affirms Walmart's continued investment in innovation and technology to anticipate customer demand. Walmart is operating in 24 countries with more than 10,500 stores., In May 2021, 7-Eleven completed the acquisition of Speedway, which is the convenience arm of Marathon Petroleum Corp. Speedway is a great brand and a strong strategic fit for the business of 7-Eleven in the North American Midwest and East Coast markets. Under this acquisition, 7-Eleven acquired 3,800 stores located in North America and built up its portfolio to 14,000 stores.. Notable trends are: Increasing Revenue of the Consumer Electronics Market.

Graph and download economic data for Unit Labor Costs for Retail Trade: Supermarkets and Other Grocery (Except Convenience) Stores (NAICS 445110) in the United States (IPUHN445110U101000000) from 1988 to 2024 about groceries, unit labor cost, NAICS, retail trade, sales, retail, and USA.