Business Environment Profiles - United States
Published: 10 November 2025
E-commerce sales
957 $ billion
4.4 %
E-commerce sales represent all purchases of goods and services completed over digital platforms by US consumers and businesses, measured in millions of chained (2017) US dollars. This indicator captures the rapid expansion and integration of online transactions into the national retail and B2B landscape, tracking disruptive innovation and shifting consumption patterns. Data is sourced from the Census Bureau.
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Between 2020 and 2025, e-commerce sales continued to surge, albeit at a slower pace than the initial pandemic spike. In 2020, total sales reached $772 million, marking a dramatic jump of 40.8% over pre-pandemic 2019 levels ($548 million) as lockdowns and social distancing forced a rapid transition to digital channels. This period cemented e-commerce as a permanent fixture in US commerce, catalyzing investment in logistics, automation, and digital marketing.
Expansion accelerated in 2021, with sales climbing 12.7% to $870 million as consumer behavior adapted to the convenience and safety of online shopping for essentials, electronics, and home improvement goods. Growth slowed thereafter: e-commerce sales grew just 1.4% in 2022 ($882 million), as brick-and-mortar stores reopened and traditional retail regained some market share. The steady upward trend resumed in 2023 with a 3.7% increase ($914 million), followed by 2.4% in 2024 ($936 million) and 2.2% in 2025 ($957 million). Cumulatively, e-commerce sales increased by $185 million (24.0%) from 2020 to 2025, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.4%.
While the post-pandemic period did not match the blistering pace of 2020, momentum was sustained by shifting demographics and rising use of mobile and omnichannel platforms. Key sectors—apparel, electronics, groceries, and direct-to-consumer brands—contributed strongly to total sales, while new integration of online and offline services improved consumer engagement. Investment in warehousing, fulfillment, and payment systems supported continued growth, even as inflation and supply chain pressures presented headwinds in select product categories. E-commerce overall consistently outperformed traditional retail, capturing a larger share of total national sales across the period.
E-commerce sales are forecast to return to rapid growth through 2030. Sales are projected to reac...
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