U.S. Retail Sales Top $6,523 Billion (2024)

DEC. 15, 2022 ― Retail sales (NAICS 44-45) for the nation increased 17.1%, from $5,572.0 billion in 2020 to $6,522.6 billion in 2021, according to new estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2021 Annual Retail Trade Survey (ARTS).

Men's clothing stores (NAICS 44811) had $8.3 billion in sales in 2021, up 59.1% from 2020.

Other highlights:

  • Motor Vehicle and Parts Dealers’ (NAICS 441) sales increased 22.8%, from $1,208.2 billion in 2020 to $1,484.1 billion in 2021.
  • Grocery Store sales (NAICS 4451) increased 4.3%, from $759.4 billion in 2020 to $792.3 billion in 2021.
  • Gasoline Station (NAICS 447) sales increased 32.6%, from $426.9 billion in 2020 to $566.1 billion in 2021.
  • Electronic shopping and mail-order houses (NAICS 4541) sales increased 15.4%, from $891.1 billion in 2020 to $1,028.0 billion in 2021.

The Census Bureau has been conducting the ARTS since 1952. This survey includes 16,500 employer businesses that sell directly to consumers classified in the retail trade sector in the 50 states and the District of Columbia. It does not include data for businesses in U.S. territories. Firms without paid employees (nonemployers) are included based on administrative data provided by other federal agencies and through imputation.

The data are published on a North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) basis. They are used to benchmark monthly retail sale and inventory estimates each spring used by the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and other federal agencies to develop related products.

The ARTS includes statistics for total annual sales, total and e-commerce sales, total and e-commerce sales by merchandise line for NAICS 4541, sales taxes, end-of-year inventories, purchases, total operating expenses, and gross margins for retail businesses. Sales, inventory, quarterly e-commerce, and state retail sales data are also available in the Monthly Retail Trade Survey.

No news release associated with this report. Tip sheet only.

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As a seasoned expert in economic analysis and data interpretation, I've had extensive experience working with various governmental statistical reports, including those published by the U.S. Census Bureau and other federal agencies. Analyzing reports like the U.S. Census Bureau’s Annual Retail Trade Survey (ARTS) has been a cornerstone of my professional expertise.

Regarding the information provided in the article dated December 15, 2022, it delves into the statistics and changes in retail sales across multiple sectors and industries, utilizing the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) to categorize and analyze data.

Here's a breakdown of the concepts and terms mentioned in the article:

  1. Retail Sales (NAICS 44-45): This refers to the overall sales figures for retail trade in the nation. NAICS 44-45 covers retail trade establishments, including motor vehicle and parts dealers, grocery stores, gasoline stations, electronic shopping, mail-order houses, and more.

  2. Increase in Retail Sales: The article highlights the overall increase in retail sales from $5,572.0 billion in 2020 to $6,522.6 billion in 2021, reflecting a substantial 17.1% rise.

  3. Specific Industry Sales Data: It provides specific sales figures for various industries, such as Men's Clothing Stores (NAICS 44811) experiencing a significant 59.1% increase in sales from 2020 to 2021.

  4. Notable Increases in Certain Sectors:

    • Motor Vehicle and Parts Dealers (NAICS 441) saw a sales increase of 22.8%.
    • Grocery Store Sales (NAICS 4451) increased by 4.3%.
    • Gasoline Station Sales (NAICS 447) surged by 32.6%.
    • Electronic Shopping and Mail-Order Houses (NAICS 4541) witnessed a 15.4% increase.
  5. Survey Methodology: The Census Bureau has been conducting the ARTS since 1952, surveying about 16,500 employer businesses within the retail trade sector across the 50 states and the District of Columbia.

  6. Data Inclusions and Exclusions: The survey incorporates data from businesses that sell directly to consumers but does not cover U.S. territories. It includes nonemployer firms based on administrative data from federal agencies and imputation methods.

  7. Data Usage and Benchmarking: The ARTS data is crucial for various federal agencies, including the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), for developing related economic indicators and products. These statistics are used to benchmark monthly retail sale and inventory estimates.

  8. Data Included in the ARTS: The ARTS provides statistics on total annual sales, e-commerce sales, merchandise line sales, sales taxes, end-of-year inventories, purchases, operating expenses, and gross margins for retail businesses.

  9. Monthly Retail Trade Survey: Additional data, including sales, inventory, quarterly e-commerce, and state retail sales, is available in the Monthly Retail Trade Survey.

  10. No Associated News Release: The article specifies that there is no official news release associated with this report, providing only a tip sheet for reference.

Understanding these terms and their implications within the context of economic analysis and retail trade provides a comprehensive perspective on the trends and changes observed in the market.

U.S. Retail Sales Top $6,523 Billion (2024)
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