2023
9
US State of Retail and eCommerce Market Report 2023
2023-02-08T03:06:18+00:00
REP9E5131E2_F285_492D_B25C_4FDF7B8A2DF3
3695
160379
[{"name":"Retail","url":"https:\/\/store.mintel.com\/industries\/retail"},{"name":"Market Intelligence Reports","url":"https:\/\/store.mintel.com\/report-type\/market-intelligence-reports"},{"name":"US","url":"https:\/\/store.mintel.com\/markets\/us-market-research"}]
Report
en_GB
“Although consumers are still on guard about the pandemic, inflation is the main factor influencing their shopping behaviors at this time. They continue to be very value-driven which provides retailers…
US
Retail
simple

US State of Retail and eCommerce Market Report 2023

“Although consumers are still on guard about the pandemic, inflation is the main factor influencing their shopping behaviors at this time. They continue to be very value-driven which provides retailers with opportunities to redefine how they offer value, both from a monetary and nonmonetary standpoint. Despite ongoing headwinds, the retail industry is growing overall, normalizing nearly three years after the start of the pandemic. However, the cost of doing business is squeezing some middle-tier and specialty retailers signaling troubling times ahead for those unable to adapt swiftly enough.”

– Diana Smith, Associate Director – Retail & eCommerce

This Report looks at the following areas:

  • How inflation has – and will – shift consumers’ shopping tendencies
  • Which shopping behaviors have been retained amid the pandemic, and which are retracting
  • How consumers are shopping across channels by category
  • Which retailers will succeed and which will struggle
  • Key influencers of retailer preference
  • How consumers define value, other than savings
  • Shoppers’ experience with tech at retail
Collapse All
  1. Overview

    • What you need to know
    • This Report looks at the following areas
    • Definition
    • Market context
  2. Executive Summary

    • Top takeaways
    • Market overview
      • Figure 1: Total US retail sales and fan chart forecast, including eCommerce, at current prices, 2017-27
      • Figure 2: Retail and eCommerce outlook, 2023-28
    • Opportunities and challenges
    • Economic instability will continue to influence shopping behaviors
    • Social commerce will continue to be a key area of focus – and scrutiny – this year
    • Inventory management needs to improve
    • The next wave of omnichannel is here
    • Innovative new revenue opportunities are materializing
    • Key consumer insights
  3. Market Size and Forecast

    • Retail industry keeps trekking despite strained economy
      • Figure 3: Total US retail sales and fan chart forecast, including eCommerce, at current prices, 2017-27
      • Figure 4: Total US retail sales and forecast, including eCommerce, at current prices, 2017-27
    • More ecommerce growth ahead, but at a slower pace
      • Figure 5: Total US retail eCommerce sales and fan chart forecast, at current prices, 2017-27
      • Figure 6: Total US retail eCommerce sales, at current prices, 2017-27
      • Figure 7: eCommerce share of total sales, 2017-27
      • Figure 8: Estimated quarterly US retail ecommerce sales – percent of total sales; change versus prior quarter and year, Q3 2021 – Q3 2022
  4. Segment Performance

    • Nearly all store types see sales lifts, but growth is decelerating
      • Figure 9: Year-over-year percentage change in total retail sales and food services, by type of store, January – November 2022
  5. Market Factors

    • More inflation woes ahead
    • Inflation is coming down, but will stay elevated for much of 2023
      • Figure 10: Consumer Price Index change from previous period, 2007-22
    • Threats to disposable income force down personal savings rate, causing credit card usage to spike
      • Figure 11: Disposable Personal Income, 2020-22
    • Americans are split regarding how they temper inflation
      • Figure 12: Inflation behaviors, 2022
    • Many other factors concern consumers, impacting their confidence and spending
      • Figure 13: Consumer concerns, 2022
    • Impact to consumer confidence
      • Figure 14: Consumer Sentiment Index, 2019-22
    • Impact to GDP and consumer spending
      • Figure 15: GDP change from previous period, Q1 2020-Q3 2022
    • Unemployment improves in the midst of other economic chaos
      • Figure 16: Unemployment and underemployment, 2010-22
    • The country’s youth and diversity will influence future retail trends
      • Figure 17: Population by generation, 2017-27
      • Figure 18: Projected age distribution by race and Hispanic origin in 2027
    • Legislation in the works could impact retail industry
  6. Competitive Strategies and Market Opportunities

    • Payment options are expanding
    • Payment apps
    • Buy now, pay later
      • Figure 19: Klarna adds price comparison tool
    • Emerging payment forms
      • Figure 20: Amazon One palm-based payment solution
      • Figure 21: PacSun uses cryptocurrency as a promotional tool
    • Retail media provides another revenue source
      • Figure 22: DoorDash enhances ad solutions for brands
    • Brands need to stay ahead of consumers when it comes to understanding opportunities in the virtual world
      • Figure 23: Attitudes toward the metaverse, 2022
      • Figure 24: Walmart houses Walmart Land on Roblox
      • Figure 25: Laura Mercier creates World of Beauty in the metaverse
    • Brands should be cautiously optimistic about social commerce
      • Figure 26: Chipotle promotes Freepotle reward perk on Instagram and TikTok
      • Figure 27: Crocs promotes its shoes during the holidays
    • Free online return policies are starting to disappear
      • Figure 28: DoorDash launches packet pickup service
    • Retailers are testing new store formats and floor plans
      • Figure 29: Lowe’s adds Petco shop-in-shops in select stores
  7. The Consumer – Fast Facts

  8. Shopping Method by Category

    • Products shopped for
    • Inflation is impacting consumers’ spending patterns and suppressing pandemic recovery
      • Figure 30: Products shopped for throughout pandemic, 2020-22
      • Figure 31: Products shopped currently versus pre-pandemic and one year ago, 2022
    • Shopping method and channel approach
    • Gap between multichannel and single channel shopping narrows for most categories
      • Figure 32: Multichannel shopping versus single-channel shopping, 2022
    • Multichannel shopping has become the norm due to the rapid growth of ecommerce
      • Figure 33: Percentage of total purchases made online, by generation, 2022
      • Figure 34: Online shopping frequency, 2022
      • Figure 35: Devices used to shop online, 2022
    • Online for searching, in-store for buying
      • Figure 36: Method of shopping – search versus purchase, by channel, by item, 2022
      • Figure 37: Purchase location, online versus in-store by category – current versus pre-pandemic, 2020 and 2022
  9. Retailers Shopped

    • Consumers branch out more, but still have their favorites
      • Figure 38: Retailers shopped – Any shopping (net), 2022
      • Figure 39: Tanger Outlets Phoenix emphasizes promotions during holidays
    • Despite ecommerce growth, stores remain preferred channel
      • Figure 40: Retailers shopped, by channel, 2022
      • Figure 41: Amazon sentiment, by key demos, 2022
      • Figure 42: Retailers shopped in-store, by generation, 2022
      • Figure 43: Retailers shopped online, by generation, 2022
  10. Retailer Drivers

    • Primary drivers
    • Convenience in all forms
      • Figure 44: Factors driving selection of retailer, 2022
      • Figure 45: Factors driving selection of retailer , by generation, 2022
      • Figure 46: Factors driving selection of retailer, by race and Hispanic origin, 2022
    • Health and safety-related considerations
    • Cleanliness and employee welfare matter to consumers
      • Figure 47: Retailer offerings related to health and safety, 2022
      • Figure 48: Retailer offerings related to health and safety, by gender and age, 2022
  11. Shopping Behaviors

    • Notable pandemic-related shopping shifts have been retained
      • Figure 49: Primary shopping shifts compared to last year, 2022
      • Figure 50: Primary shopping shifts compared to last year – doing more, by key demos, 2022
    • Other notable shopping behaviors reflect growth of eCommerce
      • Figure 51: Shopping behaviors, 2022
      • Figure 52: Shopping behaviors – frequency versus last year, 2022
    • Inflation is now causing more shopping shifts
      • Figure 53: Impact of inflation on shopping behavior, 2022
      • Figure 54: Impact of inflation on shopping behavior, by financial situation, 2022
      • Figure 55: Impact of inflation on shopping behavior, by race and Hispanic origin, 2022
      • Figure 56: Shopping behaviors in light of inflation, by parental status, 2022
      • Figure 57: Everlane takes transparent approach to promoting value
  12. Meaning of Value

    • Value entails more than savings
      • Figure 58: Nonmonetary forms of value, 2022
    • Women find value in free benefits; men find value in service options
      • Figure 59: Nonmonetary forms of value, by gender, 2022
    • Younger generations look beyond the value of low prices
      • Figure 60: Nonmonetary forms of value, by generation, 2022
  13. Technology at Retail

    • Education is needed to realize full potential of tech
      • Figure 61: Usage and interest in tech at retail, 2022
      • Figure 62: Usage and interest in tech at retail, by gender and age, 2022
    • Fun can be a primary benefit of tech
      • Figure 63: Fun of shopping, in-store versus online, by gender and age, 2022
      • Figure 64: Walmart’s Text to Shop feature makes it easier and more fun to make shopping lists
  14. Attitudes toward Shopping

    • There are ways to provide value besides dropping prices/constant sales
      • Figure 65: Price-related attitudes, 2022
      • Figure 66: Price-related attitudes, by gender and household income, 2022
    • Consumers want their stuff; tolerance for inventory-related issues is diminishing
      • Figure 67: Inventory-related attitudes, 2022
    • Shopping local seen as a great way to demonstrate community support
      • Figure 68: Attitude toward localism, 2022
      • Figure 69: Attitude toward localism, by key demos, 2022
  15. Appendix – Data Sources and Abbreviations

    • Data sources
    • Sales data
    • Forecast
    • Consumer survey data
    • Abbreviations and terms
    • Abbreviations
    • Terms
  16. Appendix – The Market

      • Figure 70: Total US retail sales and forecast, including ecommerce, at inflation-adjusted prices, 2017-27
      • Figure 71: Total US retail ecommerce sales, at inflation-adjusted prices, 2017-27
      • Figure 72: Financial health, 2022
      • Figure 73: Population by race and Hispanic origin, 2017-27
  17. Appendix – The Consumer

      • Figure 74: Retailers shopped online, by household income, 2022
      • Figure 75: Interest in paying with cryptocurrency, 2022

Mintel: Market Intelligence Made Easier

The first Mintel Market Intelligence report was published over 50 years ago. Since then, we have provided our unique insights and understanding of consumers, innovation and global markets to thousands of customers worldwide. Here’s why our customers rely on Mintel:

  • Gain a comprehensive, 360-degree view of the market: Mintel reports blend consumer research, market forecasts, product innovation tracking, and competitive analysis, allowing businesses to see every angle of their industry and identify new opportunities quickly.
  • Make decisions with confidence, grounded in robust data: Each report draws on up-to-date, reliable information from trusted sources and industry experts, ensuring your strategies are based on solid evidence rather than speculation.
  • Benefit from expert analysis and practical recommendations: Mintel’s reports are written by experienced analysts who interpret complex data and provide clear, actionable insights you can trust to guide your next moves.
  • Stay ahead with actionable intelligence on market trends and consumer behaviour: By combining fresh research with long-term market monitoring, our reports help businesses anticipate changes and adapt strategically. So you’re prepared to make informed decisions and drive growth.

What goes into a Mintel Market Intelligence Report?

Curious about how a Market Intelligence report comes together? We like to think of it as building a detailed puzzle. We start with individual pieces: data from consumers, market statistics, industry trends, and online conversations. Then our expert analysts add world-class human insight and industry knowledge. The pieces are assembled to reveal a clear, comprehensive picture of a market.

The Four Pillars of Our Research

We use a combination of four main research methods when creating our reports, each adding a valuable perspective:

  • Consumer Research: Direct surveys with real people, giving us clear, current insights into what people think and do.
  • Desk Research: In-depth review of trusted data sources. We use this rich database, plus powerful internal tools that track new products and market sizes, to detect trends and guide forecasts.
  • Trade Research: Insights from conversations with industry experts. Their real-world experience helps us understand what’s happening behind the scenes.
  • Brand and Social Media Research: Analysis of online opinions and trends. This lets us spot trends, measure brand sentiment, and capture feedback in real time, adding further depth to our research.

For further information about our research and analysis methods, visit our helpdesk.

Bringing It All Together

Each of these four pillars provides a different piece of the puzzle. Consumer research tells us what customers think, desk research provides the factual framework, trade research offers an insider’s view, and social media analysis reveals public sentiment.

Our expert analysts are skilled in weaving these diverse data streams together. They apply a range of quantitative and qualitative analysis techniques to uncover the deeper story, connecting the dots to deliver clear, actionable insights. This comprehensive, multi-layered process is how we transform raw data into a market intelligence report you can trust to inform your most important business decisions.

For a closer look at a Mintel Market Intelligence Report, take a look at the sample PDF report below:
Please Note: All of the figures, graphs, and tables in this sample report have been redacted.
£ 3,695 (Excl.Tax)
  • Download today with instant access
  • Multiple formats provided
  • Interactive databook included
  • Save up to 20% when you purchase multiple reports
Add to cart

Next Starts Here

Whatever your business needs, we have the solution. From market intelligence reports to customised growth strategies.

Learn more

Trusted by global industry leaders

Jackman logo

At Jackman, we believe that powerful strategies are based on human insight. Mintel’s leading-edge reports and insights into consumer attitudes and behaviors are an important input as we develop and execute strategy.

Alana Gavin, VP Research and Insights, Jackman
Waitrose & Partners logo

We’ve found it so useful working more closely with Mintel. They helped support our recent flagship event for our top suppliers by providing a really unique viewpoint on the future of online retailing.

Nick Carroll from their Retail Team was also an excellent panelist, sharing useful and actionable consumer insights. We definitely look forward to working with Mintel again on future projects.

Zac Steele, E-Commerce Trading Development Manager, Waitrose & Partners
Mediacom logo

Mintel is really good for getting a handle on a particular category quickly. If we are working on a new business pitch in an area we don’t have much experience in, it’s a brilliant way to get up to speed with what’s going on, what’s changing and what the key trends are in any category.

It’s very rare now that anyone will plough through a 200-page report – that’s why the summaries are really useful. We know they are backed up by a lot of detail, so if you need to go into something in more depth you know the information will be all there for you.

Pauline Robson, Managing Partner, Mediacom
Tenth Wave logo

Mintel helps us when we want to know something quickly – it provides fast answers to our questions. If we need to get a view of what’s going on in a particular market it’s very useful.

When carrying out background research, I find Mintel an excellent starting point.

The fact that it covers so many markets is a big plus for me– instead of having to buy specialist products in each area we are interested in, especially when we only require a brief view on a particular market, we can go to Mintel for help as a one-stop shop. I find Mintel a useful and valuable resource.

Ben Zeidler, Director - Research and Analytics, Tenth Wave
Epsilon logo

We utilize Mintel Reports, Trends and Comperemedia to mine for insights across the numerous business verticals that Epsilon serves, such as CPG, automotive, telecom, healthcare/pharma, retail and financial services.

By integrating Mintel insight into new business opportunities, we have been able to gain the competitive edge necessary to advance partnerships with global brands and key business players.

For our organization, it’s about depth and breadth. Having one without the other doesn’t enable success in our business.

Virginia Harvey, Secondary Research Manager, Epsilon

Next Starts Here

Whatever your business needs, we have the solution. From market intelligence reports to customised growth strategies.

Learn more