After a long day, everyone’s favorite thing is a glass of wine or a cold beer with a side of some online shopping.
Just be careful, as online shopping statistics reveal that every year drunk Americans spend $30 million shopping on the internet.
If you want to discover more about how the internet is shaping the shopping experience, read on.
Top 10 Online Shopping Stats
- Globally, e-commerce sales amounted to $3.53 trillion in 2019.
- There were 209.6 million digital shoppers in the US in 2016.
- 96% of adult Americans shop online at least once a month.
- 74% of people have stress-shopped.
- It’s estimated that 58% of compulsive shoppers are in heavy debt.
- Social media influences the purchasing decisions of 23% of shoppers.
- 34% of online shoppers belong to Generation X (aged 35–54 years).
- 53% of online shoppers browse on mobile devices, but they buy on a PC.
- In 2019, consumers abandoned 69.57% of their online shopping carts.
- 56% of online shoppers still prefer to buy in a brick-and-mortar store.
Online Shopping Trends
The first online purchase happened in 1994. History of online shopping reveals that in the beginning there were only a few internet purchases a year.
So how has the internet changed shopping, and how many people are online shopping?
Let’s see.
1. Globally, e-commerce sales amounted to $3.53 trillion in 2019.
(Statista)
Online shopping is one of the biggest worldwide trends that keeps growing, and it won’t slow down anytime soon.
In fact, it’s expected that worldwide online sales will reach $7.4 trillion by 2025.
2. There were 209.6 million digital shoppers in the US in 2016.
(Statista)
You must wonder how many people shop online today?
We can tell you that this number has grown to 227.5 million online shoppers.
Furthermore, experts predicted that this number will rise to 230.5 million next year.
3. About 56% of online shoppers still prefer to buy in a brick-and-mortar store.
(NPR/Marist)
It’s a fact that Americans are big online shopping fans.
Online shopping is much faster and convenient. Still, recent statistics on online shopping vs. in-store shopping have revealed that more than half of online shoppers still love the experience that traditional shops offer.
We can safely say that physical stores aren’t going away anytime soon.
4. Surveys reveal that 96% of adult Americans shop online at least once a month.
(Verto Analytics)
Online shopping statistics for 2022 show that not only do we shop frequently, but we also spend millions of hours doing this.
As the survey results reveal, mobile shoppers become active starting at 6 a.m. and their activity doesn’t decrease until 10 p.m.
Meanwhile, online shopping trends and statistics show that online shoppers using a PC are most active between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.
5. Experts estimate that by 2040, 95% of shopping will be done online.
(Nasdaq)
Statistics and research show that smartphones and tablets accounted for 18% of e-commerce in 2018. If this trend continues, this percentage will skyrocket to 95% by 2040.
This data is crucial as it shows just how important it is to support mobile devices to improve the online shopping experience.
Online Shopping Statistics
It’s only natural that each generation is marked by its own trends and shopping habits. There’s also the neverending debate on who spends more money, men or women.
Finally, we have some answers.
6. 34% of online shoppers belong to Generation X (aged 35–54).
(Verto Analytics)
Well, this comes as a bit of a shock as we’re accustomed to having millennials at the top of all charts like this.
However, as an even bigger surprise, they aren’t even second on the list.
As the stats on online shopping show, baby boomers (aged 55–74) come right behind Gen X, representing 31% of the online shopping population, while millennials are third with 30%.
7. 36% of men have spent $1,000 or more on an online item compared to only 18% of women.
(NPR/Marist, Forbes)
Men shop more than women, and we have the proof!
Sirens in the distance, the internet is crashing…
Ladies, take a sip of water, then print-screen this stat and send it to every male that has ever shamed you for your shopping habits.
Done?
Ok, let’s move on.
Male vs. female online shopping trends from 2019 show that both men (52%) and women (43%) prefer to buy tech online over a store.
Men love tech, so this comes as no surprise, but men are also more likely to buy clothes.
When it comes to women, they buy clothes equally online and in-store (73%).
However, 66% of men buy their clothes in-store, while 59% of the male population can also be found buying clothes online.
8. 45% of millennials use voice-assisted shopping.
(Statista)
Millennials are known for their use of the latest technology, so it’s no shocker that almost half of the generation uses voice assistance while shopping on the internet.
Online Shopping Industry
Sure, we spend millions of hours and dollars shopping online, but what are people buying online?
The simplest answer would be everything!
From clothes and accessories to education and groceries, we buy it all.
Let’s take a look at some of the most popular categories.
9. 59% of US online shoppers bought clothes between 2018’s and 2019’s second quarter.
(Statista)
This is by far the most popular category for online shopping, but the most purchased items online also include the following:
Baby toys and products are also high on the list of frequently purchased items, as are drugstore and health products, DIY items, garden supplies, and pet products. Furniture and household goods also made the list.
10. Global online art sales reached $4.64 billion in 2018.
(Statista)
As the online art sales statistics reveal, people aren’t interested only in superficial things like shoes and clothing.
It’s expected that online art sales will continue growing, reaching $9.32 billion by 2024.
11. 84% of people shopping online have bought shoes or clothes.
(NPR/Marist)
As we’ve mentioned, these are the leading categories in online shopping, and one of the most popular shopping sites is Amazon.
It’s estimated that between 18% and 20% of online shoppers find their perfect pair of shoes and clothing right on Amazon.
12. Only 3% of grocery sales are online.
(The Atlantic)
Yes, people buy everything online, but online grocery shopping statistics show that this category is not the most popular among online shoppers. Still, this depends on the country.
American shoppers may be hard to convince to buy their groceries online. However, 20% of South Korean consumers, as well as 7.5% of Japanese and UK shoppers, gladly order their groceries on the internet.
The reason behind this is simple: when it comes to buying groceries, people prefer the in-store experience.
Popularity of Online Shopping
There are several reasons why people shop online, and many of them go beyond convenience, the wide selection of products, and lower prices.
A great number of people are persuaded by social media and influencers, and some even stress-shop or use retail as therapy.
But just how serious are these numbers?
13. 74% of people have stress-shopped.
(eMarketer)
Now, this is a serious issue.
According to online shopping statistics, 40% of shoppers use retail as a way to manage stress, and 62% of those aged 16–24 are likely to use shopping as a stress-relieving activity.
Moreover, women are 12% likelier to engage in stress shopping compared to men.
14. It’s estimated that 58% of compulsive shoppers are in heavy debt.
(The Recovery Village)
Impulse buying can lead to a shopping addiction, which is another serious issue.
According to the online shopping statistics from 2019 for the USA, Americans aged 18–29 collectively owed over $1 trillion in debt.
Furthermore, those in their 30s owe as much as $2.9 trillion, while Americans in their 40s owe $3.4 trillion.
15. One survey discovered that 11% of people go shopping to elevate their mood.
(CreditDonkey)
Buying something new feels good, but 31.7% regularly buy things they don’t need because they couldn’t resist the sale.
Furthermore, 24.4% of people admit they have items with price tags still on them or are even still in their shopping bags.
(Forbes)
Social media has become a very popular sales platform lately.
Influenced by other people’s opinions and recommendations, online shoppers are now more willing to buy new products via platforms like Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter, or Snapchat.
17. Social media plays a crucial role in 87% of online shoppers’ purchases.
(Adweek)
Besides reading other people’s recommendations, online shoppers appreciate seeing how clothing, for example, looks on other consumers.
In fact, seeing a video can be even more helpful when deciding on a purchase.
Online Retail Sales Statistics
What does the average consumer expect from their online shopping experience?
Well, many, many things, but here are some of the crucial ones.
18. 53% of online shoppers browse on mobile devices, but most of these consumers buy on their desktops.
(EBizCharge)
While mobile devices account for 53% of traffic to online stores, they represent only 32% of the revenue, as the online shopping trends from 2019 reveal.
Conversely, desktop revenue decreased by 20% compared to previous years.
19. In 2019, consumers abandoned 69.57% of global online shopping carts.
(Statista)
The main reasons for shopping cart abandonment were unexpected costs like shipping (63%), non-functioning discount codes (46%), and orders that take too long to ship (36%).
20. Having to re-enter information was a major reason for online shopping cart abandonment.
(Statista)
Online shopping is supposed to be faster and more convenient, and re-entering any information is not that.
As online sales statistics report, online shoppers abandon their shopping carts because they have to re-enter their credit card number (30%) or their shipping information (25%).
21. Websites lose 40% of potential shoppers when their loading time is greater than 3 seconds.
(Forbes)
Online shoppers value the user experience, and slow-loading websites or websites with confusing layouts will only end up losing potential customers.
On the contrary, a consistent and flawless user experience on both desktop and mobile is a sure way to gain more customers.
FAQ
Who online shops the most?
People aged 35–54 (Gen X) are the biggest online shoppers.
They’re particularly interested in online shopping because they can compare prices, find coupons and discounts, and make their decisions based on reviews and the best deals.
How much does the average person spend online shopping?
Average individual spending hasn’t yet been thoroughly researched, but typically, Amazon Prime members spend $1,400 per year on Amazon, while non-Amazon shoppers spend $600 per year.
Furthermore, statistics also show that an average shopper spends 35 hours per week on the internet.
Why do people shop online?
There are tons of reasons why people prefer online retailers and internet shopping.
Buying online is more convenient as online shops are open 24/7, and there’s a greater selection of products.
It saves time while offering better prices. Plus, you get other people’s reviews and opinions before you buy. Avoiding crowds and scoring free shipping also add to this experience.
How many products are bought online?
Literally, millions of products are sold every day, from fashion items, trips, technology, books, and music to second-hand items and educational courses.
Which state does the most online shopping?
According to the latest research, the top ten states where people shop online the most are:
- California 56.5%
- Washington 55.3%
- Massachusetts 54.7%
- DC 53.4%
- Virginia 53%
- New Jersey 52.7%
- Rhode Island 52.5%
- New Hampshire 52.2%
- Delaware 52.1%
- Connecticut 52.1%
Key Takeaways
Now, everyone loves to shop, and these online shopping statistics are the proof.
But no matter how fun shopping may be, the aim of this article is to help you become a savvy consumer, manage your finances, and control your impulse to buy.
Remember to always make an informed purchase, and don’t immediately give in to online sales.
Sources
- Adweek
- CreditDonkey
- EBizCharge
- eMarketer
- Forbes
- Forbes
- Forbes
- Nasdaq
- NPR/Marist
- Statista
- Statista
- Statista
- Statista
- Statista
- Statista
- Statista
- The Atlantic
- The Recovery Village
- Verto Analytics
- Verto Analytics
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Mirjana Dobric
Mirjana is an experienced content writer with a master’s degree in English philology and literature. An avid reader, dark chocolate connoisseur, and coffee addict, she is passionate about writing quality content based on thorough research and facts. Health, animals, literature, and human relationships are just some of the topics she has covered so far.
