Highlights. Global brick-and-mortar retail sales totaled $20.8 trillion in 2023; projections indicate brick-and-mortar sales will exceed $22.6 trillion in 2026.
- U.S. brick-and-mortar retail sales totaled $7.07 billion in 2023; projections indicate sales will hit $8.34 trillion in 2026.
- Brick-and-mortar sales growth lagged behind e-commerce sales growth by 75%.
- 72% of consumers shop in stores on a weekly basis.
- The U.S. economy supports 1.067 million stores nationwide.
- A net 1,820 new brick-and-mortar locations opened in 2023, down 70.6% from 2022 net openings.
2024 Brick-and-Mortar Sales Statistics
Brick-and-mortar sales continue to grow but at a slower rate than e-commerce sales.
- American brick-and-mortar stores’ average daily revenue totaled $18.9 billion in February 2024.
- Compared to February 2023, revenue among American brick-and-mortar stores was up 5.14%.
- In-store sales represented 84.5% of total retail sales in February 2024; this is down 1.01% compared to the same period in 2023. (86.5%).
| Year | Annual Sales (in trillions) |
Annual Growth |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $7.072 | 2.24% |
| 2022 | $6.917 | 9.14% |
| 2021 | $6.338 | 18.87% |
| 2020 | $5.332 | -3.23% |
| 2019 | $5.510 | 2.07% |
| 2018 | $5.398 | 3.65% |
| 2017 | $5.208 | 3.36% |
| 2016 | $5.039 | 2.18% |
| 2015 | $4.931 | 1.88% |
| 2014 | $4.840 | 3.95% |
| 2013 | $4.657 | 3.53% |
| 2012 | $4.498 | 4.51% |
Brick-and-Mortar Retail Sales Statistics
Most retailers make the majority of their sales in stores as opposed to online.
- U.S. brick-and-mortar retail sales in 2023 totaled $7.072 trillion, up 2.24% year-over-year (YoY).
- 84.9% of all U.S. retail sales dollars came from brick-and-mortar stores.
- In-store U.S. sales revenue increased 18.9% in 2021, a 21st-century record.
- From 2015 to 2020, brick-and-mortar sales revenue increased 8.13%.
- Globally, brick-and-mortar sales totaled $20.8 trillion in 2023 up 4.00% YoY.
- Among U.S. multichannel retailers with brick-and-mortar locations, 45.5% make more than half of their revenue from in-store sales.
- Discount department stores make 96% of their sales at brick-and-mortar locations.
Brick-and-Mortar Retail Business Statistics
A record number of brick-and-mortar stores operate in the United States, with a net estimated 12,170 new stores opening since 2020.
- 83.7% of retailers have at least one brick-and-mortar location.
- 71.4% of retailers hire more in-store workers over the holiday season.
- 14.5% of merchandise sold by brick-and-mortar retailers is returned to the store.
- 71% of brick-and-mortar retailers require receipts for in-store returns.
- Retailers are 16.5% less likely to require receipts for returns to brick-and-mortar locations (as opposed to mail-in returns).
Brick-and-Mortar Consumer Statistics
Most consumers shop at brick-and-mortar locations at least once per week.
- 45% of consumers primarily shop in brick-and-mortar stores (as opposed to online).
- 62% of consumers mainly buy their groceries in-store.
- 50% of consumers primarily buy personal care and beauty products in-store.
- 40% of consumers buy most of their apparel and footwear in-store.
- 28% of consumers primarily buy home goods in-store.
Brick-and-Mortar Retail Crime Statistics
A majority of retailers experienced increased incidents of various retail crimes in 2023.
- Among merchandise returned to brick-and-mortar locations, 13.7% are fraudulent returns.
- In 2023, 65.2% of brick-and-mortar stores saw increased incidents of guest-on-associate violence.
- 68.8% of brick-and-mortar retailers experienced an increase in shoplifting.
- 36% of inventory loss among brick-and-mortar stores is due to shoplifting.
- 78.1% of stores saw an increase in organized retail crime in 2023.
These data and insights were compiled by the Capital One Shopping team based on publicly available data.
Sources
- U.S. Census Bureau, Retail Monthly Trade
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Industry at a Glance: Retail Trade
- International Council of Shopping Centers
- National Retail Federation
- Statista, Industry Overview