Retail & Trade
retail sales and market statistics

Overview

Why retail and trade statistics matter

Retail is where the economy meets the consumer. Retail sales are one of the most closely watched indicators of household demand, and the sector employs a large share of the workforce in most countries. The businesses that lead it, from global grocery chains to discounters and department stores, shape supply chains, pricing and how brands reach shoppers, both in-store and increasingly online. When retail spending slows, it is often the first visible sign that consumers are pulling back.

This category brings together the statistics that describe that market: how much is sold at retail and how fast it is growing, which retailers lead by revenue and market share, how grocery, apparel and other segments perform, and how consumer spending and store networks are changing as online and physical retail blend. Comparisons across companies and countries show who is winning share and where demand is strongest.

Every chart names the organisation that produced the underlying data and the date it was published, and separates reported figures from estimates and forecasts. Use the topic links above to narrow the list, or scroll to the latest statistics below.