Mastercard SpendingPulse: Retail sales off to solid start in January

The new year kicked off with gains across nearly all retail sectors.

Retail sales in the United States, excluding auto, increased 7.2% year-over-year, according to the Mastercard SpendingPulse report, which measures in-store and online retail sales across all forms of payment. Online sales increased 10.4% over last January.

Despite the shadow of Omicron and elevated inflation, consumer spending was buoyed by pent-up savings, wage growth and the continued re-opening of the “experience economy,” the report found. 

The key retail trends in January were a continuation from the strong holiday season. Apparel sales were up 37.6% in January year-over-year, reflecting the strongest growth rate for January in SpendingPulse history. The apparel sector has experienced positive growth for 11 consecutive months as consumers refresh wardrobes and dress to impress for gatherings and events taking place in 2022.

Department stores have similarly gained from resurgent spending. January sales increased 10.5% year-over-year and 9.8% vs. pre-pandemic levels.

More of the key retail trends are below.

• The shift back to services: The pandemic arrested a decades-long trend of more spending on services vs goods. But since the middle of last year, this tide has begun to shift back to services – or experiences – as consumers resume in-person activities. According to Mastercard SpendingPulse, restaurant sales grew 36.7% year-over-year and 16.6% compared to pre-pandemic levels.

• Digital demand: E-commerce sales growth shows no signs of stopping, with double-digit increases in January even compared to the strong base in 2021. Compared to pre-pandemic levels, e-commerce sales were up 110.1%, underscoring the sustained and significant nature of the shift to digital.
• Luxe for loved ones: Luxury (up 45.3% year-over-year) and jewelry (up 19.8% year-over-year) sales continued to outperform in January ahead of Valentine’s Day.

“Coming on the heels of the holidays, January typically marks a month of returns and exchanges. However, the strong growth across sectors reflects the optimism and eagerness for the year ahead,” said Steve Sadove, senior advisor for Mastercard and former CEO and chairman of Saks Incorporated. “With nearly all sectors up, we see consumers returning to their shopping habits with a continued emphasis on digital.