Highlights. Global brick-and-mortar retail sales will reach $20.8 trillion in 2023; projections indicate brick-and-mortar sales will exceed $22.6 trillion in 2026.

  • U.S. brick-and-mortar retail stores sold $6.417 trillion in merchandise in 2022; projections indicate sales will reach $7.18 trillion in 2026.
  • Brick-and-mortar sales growth outpaced e-commerce sales growth 11.4% in 2022.
  • 72% of consumers shop in stores on a weekly basis.
  • The U.S. economy supports 1.067 million stores nationwide.
  • A net 7,145 new brick-and-mortar locations opened in 2022, down 16.6% from 2021 net openings.

Bar Graph: U.S. Brick-and-Mortar Retail Revenue in trillions from 2015 ($4.93) to 2022 ($6.18) according to the U.S. Census Bureau with projections to 2026 ($7.18)

Brick-and-Mortar 2023 Retail Sales Statistics

2023 quarterly sales lagged behind 2022 numbers in the first half of the year.

  • U.S. brick-and-mortar retail stores sold $6.183 trillion in merchandise in 2022.
  • American brick-and-mortar stores’ average daily revenue totaled $16.5 billion in the first half of 2023.
  • Compared to the same period in 2022, revenue among American brick-and-mortar stores was down 3.20% in 2023.
  • In-store sales represented 85.1% of total retail sales in the first half of 2023; this is down 1.61% compared to the same period in 2022 (86.5%).
  • In order to surpass 2022 sales, brick-and-mortar stores must increase revenue by more than 41.4%* in the second half of 2023.

*Compared to the first half of 2023.

In-Store Revenue & Growth
Year Annual Sales
(in trillions)
Annual Growth
2022 $6.183 11.42%
2021 $5.549 14.80%
2020 $4.834 -0.41%
2019 $4.854 -10.17%
2018 $5.404 3.75%
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 2022 were up 11.4% year-over-year (YoY).
  • 85.6% of all retail sales dollars come from brick-and-mortar stores.
  • In-store U.S. sales revenue increased 14.8% in 2021, a 21st-century record.
  • From 2015 to 2020, brick-and-mortar sales revenue increased 4.70%.
  • Globally, brick-and-mortar sales totaled $20.0 trillion in 2022, down 3.97% YoY.
  • Among U.S. retailers with brick-and-mortar locations, 57.6% make more than half of their revenue from in-store sales.
  • Discount department stores make 96% of their sales at brick-and-mortar locations.

Grouped Bar Graph: Global Brick-and-Mortar Retail Revenue from 2020 ($19.492 trillion) to 2022 ($20.000 trillion) with projections up to 2026 ($22.600 trillion) according to Statista

Brick-and-Mortar Retail Business Statistics

A record number of brick-and-mortar stores operate in the United States, with a net estimated 15,710 new stores opening since 2020.

  • 92.3% of retailers have at least one brick-and-mortar location.
  • Brick-and-mortar retailers opened 7,860 new stores in 2022, down 3.14% YoY.
  • 71.4% of retailers hire more in-store workers over the holiday season.
  • 16.5% 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).

Grouped Bar Graph: Brick-and-Mortar Share of U.S. Retail Revenue from 2012 (93.2%) to 2022 (85.6%) according to U.S. Census Bureau

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.

Grouped Bar Graph: Brick-and-Mortar Share of Global Retail Revenue from 2020 (82.1%) to 2022 (70.9%) with projections to 2026 (69.0%) according to Statista

Brick-and-Mortar Retail Crime Statistics

A majority of retailers experienced increased incidents of various retail crimes in 2022.

  • Among merchandise returned to brick-and-mortar locations, 10.3% are fraudulent returns.
  • In 2022, 77.6% of brick-and-mortar stores saw increased incidents of guest-on-associate violence.
  • 74.1% of brick-and-mortar retailers experienced an increase in shoplifting.
  • 37% of inventory loss among brick-and-mortar stores is due to shoplifting.
  • 70.7% of stores saw an increase in organized retail crime in 2022.

Grouped Bar Graph: Quarterly U.S. Brick-and-Mortar Revenue in trillion USD from 2019-2022, fiscal quarters 1-4 and 2023 quarters 1 & 2 according to the Census

These data and insights were compiled by the Capital One Shopping team based on publicly available data.

Sources

  1. U.S. Census Bureau, Retail Monthly Trade
  2. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Industry at a Glance: Retail Trade
  3. International Council of Shopping Centers
  4. National Retail Federation
  5. Statista, Industry Overview