60 Amazing Retail Statistics You Need to Know in 2026

Picture this: you’re standing in a store aisle, phone in hand, comparing prices online while an app pings you with a coupon for curbside pickup—meanwhile, your friend just bought a pair of sneakers straight from a TikTok live stream. Welcome to retail in 2026, where the lines between online and offline have blurred into a fast-paced, data-driven dance. Whether you’re a brand, a retailer, or just someone who can’t resist a good deal, the way people shop is evolving at breakneck speed. And if you want to keep up (or, let’s be honest, just keep your cart from being abandoned), you need to know the numbers behind the trends.

From the explosive growth of ecommerce—now topping one-fifth of all global retail sales—to the enduring pull of brick-and-mortar, and the meteoric rise of mobile and AI-powered shopping, these retail statistics aren’t just trivia. They’re the playbook for anyone in sales, marketing, ecommerce, or retail operations looking to win in 2026. I’ve dug deep into the latest research, and I’m excited to share the 60 most eye-opening retail shopper statistics that will shape your strategy for the year ahead.

Quick-Glance: Top Retail Shopper Statistics for 2026

Let’s kick things off with a rapid-fire look at the most jaw-dropping stats every retailer and brand should know for 2026:

Ecommerce Surpasses 20% of Global Retail: For the first time, online shopping will represent in 2025—a pivotal milestone for digital commerce.
2.77 Billion People Shop Online: That’s nearly , showing ecommerce’s reach in both mature and emerging markets.
Mobile Dominates Shopping Traffic: . If your site isn’t mobile-optimized, you’re missing out on the majority of shoppers.
Brick-and-Mortar Still Rules the U.S.: , reminding us that physical stores remain essential for product discovery and instant gratification.
Hybrid Shopping Is the New Normal: , and .
Gen Z Shops Digital-First: , and .
AI Is Everywhere: , and .
Fast & Free Shipping Is a Must: , and .
Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) Takes Off: .
Value-Driven Shopping Is Universal: , and .

Why do these stats matter? Because they reveal where shoppers are, what they expect, and how you can win their loyalty (and their wallets) in 2026.

Retail Sales in 2026: Ecommerce vs. In-Store Showdown

The “ecommerce vs. in-store” debate is officially over. The answer? Both are thriving—just in different ways.

Ecommerce Statistics: The Digital Surge

Ecommerce is on a tear. In 2024, , and projections show we’re heading for . That’s a 6–8% annual growth rate—no small feat for an industry already this massive.

Ecommerce’s Share of Retail: . In the U.S., it’s and climbing.
Who’s Leading? China is the global ecommerce powerhouse, with .
Top Categories: Electronics, fashion, and home goods are ecommerce’s bread and butter, but .
Marketplace Domination: like Amazon, Alibaba, and eBay. In the U.S., .

What does this mean for brands? If you’re not optimizing for marketplaces and mobile, you’re leaving money on the table. And with AI-powered personalization now boosting conversion rates by , digital retail is only getting smarter.

Don’t let the digital surge fool you—brick-and-mortar is alive and well.

In-Store Shopping: Still Going Strong

Global Perspective: , and in the U.S., in-store sales are over four times larger than ecommerce sales.
Shopper Preferences: , compared to 28.4% who prefer online.
Category Leaders: Groceries, furniture, and beauty products are still mostly bought in person. For example, .

Why do stores endure? Immediacy, hands-on experiences, and the social aspect of shopping can’t be replicated online. Plus, in-person impulse buys are still a thing—just ask anyone who’s ever gone to Target for “one thing.”

Hybrid Shopping: Where Online Meets Offline

Hybrid shopping—think BOPIS (Buy Online, Pick Up In Store), curbside pickup, showrooming, and webrooming—isn’t just a trend. It’s the new expectation.

BOPIS Boom: , and .
Retailer Adoption: , and .
Customer Journey: Hybrid shoppers expect to check local inventory online, order for same-day pickup, and return items in-store—even if they bought them online.

Hybrid shopping isn’t just about convenience; it’s about control. Shoppers want to choose how, when, and where they get their products, and retailers that deliver on this flexibility are winning loyalty.

Generational Retail Shopper Statistics: How Each Age Group Shops

Let’s break down how Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X, and Boomers are shopping in 2026. Spoiler: there’s no one-size-fits-all.

Generation	% Shopping Online	Social Influence	Loyalty	Top Motivators
Gen Z	80%	60%+	Low	Social media, speed, values
Millennials	75%	50–65%	Medium	Convenience, fast shipping
Gen X	65%	45%	High	Value, loyalty programs
Boomers	55%	25%	Highest	In-store, trust, simplicity

Gen Z Retail Statistics

Digital Natives: .
Social Power: .
Values-Driven: .
Hybrid Habits: Most likely to mix online, in-store, and mobile in a single shopping journey.

Millennial Retail Statistics

Omnichannel Pros: ; .
BNPL Fans: .
Mobile-First: Early adopters of mobile shopping and expect seamless app experiences.

Gen X and Boomer Retail Statistics

Gen X: , but love loyalty programs and value.
Boomers: , but . Highest brand loyalty and spending power.

Each generation has its quirks—Gen Z wants authenticity and speed, Millennials want convenience, Gen X wants value, and Boomers want trust. Retailers that tailor their approach win.

If you’re reading this on your phone, you’re not alone—. Mobile isn’t just a channel; it’s the main stage.

Mobile Shopping: .
Mobile Sales: .
Voice Search: .

Product Discovery: ; .
Social Commerce: .
Influencer Power: .

If you’re not optimizing for mobile and social, you’re basically showing up to a marathon in flip-flops.

AI Personalization, Voice Search, and Retail Tech Trends

AI isn’t just for Silicon Valley anymore—it’s in your shopping cart, your inbox, and even your voice assistant.

AI Adoption: .
Personalization Pays: , and .
Voice Search: , and .
Chatbots: .

AI is making shopping smarter, faster, and more personal. But trust is still building—only .

Shipping, Delivery, and Fulfillment: What Retail Shoppers Expect

Thanks to Amazon Prime, patience is officially out of style.

Speed: .
Free Shipping: .
Cart Abandonment: .
Returns: .

Retailers, if your shipping isn’t fast and free (or at least feels that way), you’re not just losing sales—you’re practically giving them away.

Payment Preferences & Cybersecurity: How Retail Shoppers Pay

Cash is fading, cards are holding on, but digital wallets and BNPL are stealing the show.

Digital Wallets: .
U.S. Adoption: .
BNPL: .
Security Concerns: .

If you’re not offering digital wallets and BNPL, you’re missing out on the next generation of spenders. And if your checkout doesn’t scream “secure,” expect some abandoned carts.

Gender-Based Retail Shopper Statistics: Who Buys What, Where, and How

Let’s bust some myths and get to the facts:

Women Drive Spending: .
In-Store vs. Online: .
Online Habits: .
BNPL Adoption: .

Women tend to handle most household shopping and value loyalty programs, while men are more likely to splurge on gadgets and adopt new tech like voice shopping.

Value-Seeking Shoppers: The New Retail Reality

Everyone loves a deal, but in 2026, value-seeking is the default.

Trading Down: .
Private Label Growth: .
Loyalty Programs: .
Coupon Culture: .

Retailers are responding with dynamic pricing, more promotions, and personalized offers. If you’re not showing value, you’re not even in the running.

Key Takeaways: What These Retail Shopper Statistics Mean for 2026

So, what’s the big picture? Here’s what these retail and ecommerce statistics are telling us:

Omnichannel Is Essential: Shoppers expect to move seamlessly between online and offline. Invest in unified inventory, loyalty programs, and fulfillment options like BOPIS and curbside pickup.
Mobile and Social Are Non-Negotiable: If your mobile experience is clunky or your social channels are just for “likes,” you’re missing where the action (and the dollars) are.
Personalization Wins: AI-powered recommendations and tailored marketing aren’t a “nice to have”—they’re the new baseline for conversion and loyalty.
Speed and Value Rule: Fast, free shipping and clear value propositions (think loyalty perks, private label, and deals) are what keep shoppers coming back.
Trust Is Currency: With rising concerns about payment security and data privacy, transparency and robust cybersecurity are must-haves.
Know Your Audience: Different generations and genders shop differently. Segment your messaging and channels to meet them where they are.
Adapt or Get Left Behind: The only constant is change. Use these statistics as your compass, but keep listening to your customers and be ready to pivot.

Methodology & Data Sources

All these retail shopper statistics for 2026 were compiled from the latest and most reputable sources in the industry, including:

Every stat is linked to its original source for transparency and citation. For a deeper dive, check out the links throughout this article—there’s a treasure trove of insights for anyone who wants to dig in.

Want to stay ahead in retail and ecommerce?
Bookmark this page, share it with your team, and keep these statistics handy as you plan your next move. And if you’re looking to automate your own data collection or keep tabs on your competitors, check out —our AI web scraper makes gathering retail and ecommerce data as easy as a couple of clicks. (Seriously, it’s so simple, even your least techy coworker could use it.)

For more retail and ecommerce insights, swing by the or explore guides like and .

Stay curious, stay data-driven, and here’s to making 2026 your most successful retail year yet.

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