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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