Retail Trade in the US - Market Research Report (2014-2029)
New York, United States
Last Updated: July 2024
NAICS 44-45Revenue
$7.6tr
Past 5-Year Growth
Profit
$XXX.Xbn
Employees
20m
Businesses
3m
Wages
$XXX.Xbn
Retail Trade in the US industry analysis
The Retail Trade sector has undergone significant developments over the past few years, shaped largely by the COVID-19 pandemic and consequent shifts in consumer behavior. Online shopping trends, omnichannel strategies, automated processes and product and service diversification have helped boost retail trade despite volatile economic conditions. The Retail Trade sector has ultimately proven resilient, and is expected to have expanded at a CAGR of 3.2% over the past five years to reach $7.6 trillion in 2024, including an expected bump of 3.5% in 2024 alone.
Trends and Insights
- Retailers have contended with volatile spending habits and inflationary pressures over the past five years. To combat these challenges, businesses have gravitated toward omnichannel strategies, product and service diversification and investments in automation.
- Motor vehicles and parts generate the most retail sales thanks to cars' lofty prices. Naturally, big-ticket items dominate the Retail sector's product mix.
- Retailers locate in highly populated areas to expand their potential customer base. Because of its status as the most populated region, the Southeast holds the highest share of retailers.
- Internal competition is more prevalent than external competition. Because many retailers sell similar goods, like food or clothing, competition among retailers within the same industries is high.
Industry Overview
Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)
Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 3.2 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $7.6tr in 2024.
Trends and Insights
A postlockdown spending spree was muted by sticky inflation
- As the COVID-19 vaccine rolled out in 2021 and lockdown guidelines eased, pent-up demand led to a surge in spending. Retailers benefited enormously – sales swelled by an estimated 12.0%.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2024-2029)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
Ballooning consumer confidence will drive retail spend
- Over the course of the next five years a slow reduction in inflation is set to boost consumer confidence and, in turn, retail spending. Subsectors that were particularly hard hit by rising interest rates will rebound as inflation eases. One example of this is furniture and furnishings, which have dipped amid lofty mortgage rates.
Biggest companies in the Retail Trade in the US
| Company | Market Share (%)
2024 | Revenue ($m)
2024 | Profit ($m)
2024 | Profit Margin (%)
2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Walmart Inc. | 359,761.1 | 14,886.7 | 4.1 | |
Amazon.Com, Inc. | 288,830.3 | 20,931.6 | 7.2 | |
The Kroger Co. | 129,880.0 | 3,271.0 | 2.5 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 5 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Motor vehicle and parts dealers, General merchandise stores and Nonstore retailers. Motor vehicle and parts dealers is the largest segment of the Retail Trade in the US.
Trends and Insights
Motor vehicle and parts dealers generate the most sales
- This subsector includes both new (IBISWorld report 44111) and used (44112) car dealers, recreational vehicle dealers (44121), motorcycle dealerships (44122a), bicycle dealers (44122b), boat dealerships (44122c), auto parts stores (44131) and tire dealerships (44132).
- More insights available in the full report
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Competitors
- Wholesale Trade in the US
Complementors
- Manufacturing in the US
International industries
- Global Car & Automobile Sales
- New Car Dealers in Canada
- Furniture Stores in Canada
- Supermarkets & Grocery Stores in Canada
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
The Retail Trade sector is the final step in merchandise distribution and includes retailers operating brick-and-mortar locations and e-commerce platforms. Merchandise sold by retailers is purchased from suppliers and is then sold to consumers through the retailers’ stores or other mediums. This sector excludes the physical manufacture of merchandise and businesses that primarily trade as wholesalers.
What's included in this industry?
Motor vehicle and parts dealersFurniture and home furnishings storesHealth and personal care storesBuilding materials and garden equipment and supplies dealersFood and beverage storesGasoline stationsClothing and clothing accessories storesSporting goods, hobby, book and music storesGeneral merchandise storesNonstore retailersCompanies
Walmart Inc.Amazon.Com, Inc.The Kroger Co.Purchase this report to view all 5 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
POINT-OF-SALE SYSTEM HOMOGENEOUS GOODSRADIO-FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION MASS MERCHANDISERIndustry Code
NAICS 44-45 - Retail Trade in the US
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
Retailers have contended with volatile spending habits and inflationary pressures over the past five years. To combat these challenges, businesses have gravitated toward omni...
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
Motor vehicles and parts generate the most retail sales thanks to cars' lofty prices. Naturally, big-ticket items dominate the Retail sector's product mix.
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2024
- Product innovation level
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2024
- Major market segmentation in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
Retailers locate in highly populated areas to expand their potential customer base. Because of its status as the most populated region, the Southeast holds the highest share ...
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each state
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each state in 2024
- Number and share of revenue each state accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of wages each state accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of employees in each state in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across North America, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
Internal competition is more prevalent than external competition. Because many retailers sell similar goods, like food or clothing, competition among retailers within the sam...
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
Walmart has captured a significant market share by offering an extensive product selection at competitive prices. The company's online presence has also helped maintain its d...
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
- Overview of Walmart Inc.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of Amazon.Com, Inc.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of The Kroger Co.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for 2 additional companies
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for Walmart Inc., and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Amazon.Com, Inc., and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for The Kroger Co., and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description, key data and performance trends for 2 additional companies
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
Specific laws and regulation levels vary across the sector. Most retailers are bound by regulations pertaining to fair practice and consumer protection, employee treatment an...
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
The cost structure for retailers depends on a wide variety of factors. These include location, size of establishment, brand name and product portfolio, among others.
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Industry Multiples (2017-2022)
- Industry Tax Structure (2017-2022)
- Income Statement (2017-2022)
- Balance Sheet (2017-2022)
- Liquidity Ratios (2017-2022)
- Coverage Ratios (2017-2022)
- Leverage Ratios (2017-2022)
- Operating Ratios (2017-2022)
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
- Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Average Wage (2014-2029)
- Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
- Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2014-2029)
- IVA (2014-2029)
- Establishments (2014-2029)
- Enterprises (2014-2029)
- Employment (2014-2029)
- Exports (2014-2029)
- Imports (2014-2029)
- Wages (2014-2029)
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in the US include:
- US Census Bureau
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics
- US International Trade Commission
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.
Frequently Asked Questions
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Retail Trade in the US industry in United States in 2024?
The market size of the Retail Trade in the US industry in United States is $7.6tr in 2024.
How many businesses are there in the Retail Trade in the US industry in 2024?
There are 3m businesses in the Retail Trade in the US industry in United States, which has grown at a CAGR of 3.2 % between 2019 and 2024.
Has the Retail Trade in the US industry in United States grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Retail Trade in the US industry in United States has been growing at a CAGR of 3.2 % between 2019 and 2024.
What is the forecast growth of the Retail Trade in the US industry in United States over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Retail Trade in the US industry in United States is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Retail Trade in the US market in United States?
The biggest companies operating in the Retail Trade market in United States are Walmart Inc., Amazon.Com, Inc. and The Kroger Co.
What does the Retail Trade in the US in United States include?
Motor vehicle and parts dealers and Furniture and home furnishings stores are part of the Retail Trade in the US industry.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Retail Trade in the US in United States?
The company holding the most market share in United States is Walmart Inc..
How competitive is the Retail Trade in the US industry in United States?
The level of competition is high and increasing in the Retail Trade in the US industry in United States.
