Guess the number
After jumping to 16.3% in spring 2020, how long did the US online shopping share take to return to that level?
About 5 years: it fell back to 14.6% by late 2021 and regained 16.3% in Q2 2025.
Key facts
- The online shopping share of US retail jumped from 11.9% to 16.3% between the first and second quarters of 2020: +4.4 points in one quarter, by far the largest jump on record.
- It then fell back, to 14.6% by the end of 2021, as stores reopened.
- It did not return to the pandemic peak until 2025 Q2, and reached a record 17.1% in Q2 2026.
The online shopping share of retail in the US tells the story of the pandemic in one chart: a sudden leap when stores closed, a partial retreat when they reopened, and a slow climb to new highs. Here is how it unfolded, quarter by quarter.
Published November 2026. All figures: US Census Bureau, Quarterly Retail E-Commerce Sales, e-commerce as a share of total retail sales, seasonally adjusted, via FRED (series ECOMPCTSA, updated 18 August 2026). The Q3 2026 figure is due on 19 November 2026.
The leap and the aftermath
Table of Contents
| Quarter | Online share of US retail |
|---|---|
| 2019 Q4 | 11.2% |
| 2020 Q1 | 11.9% |
| 2020 Q2 | 16.3% |
| 2020 Q3 | 14.9% |
| 2020 Q4 | 15.0% |
| 2021 Q4 | 14.6% |
| 2022 Q4 | 14.6% |
| 2023 Q4 | 15.5% |
| 2024 Q4 | 16.2% |
| 2025 Q2 | 16.3% |
| 2025 Q4 | 16.7% |
| 2026 Q1 | 17.0% |
| 2026 Q2 | 17.1% |
Three phases
- The leap (spring 2020). With stores closed, the online share jumped 4.4 points in a single quarter, more than six times the next-largest quarterly rise in the series.
- The retreat (late 2020 to 2021). As stores reopened, the share fell back to 14.6% by the end of 2021, though it stayed well above pre-pandemic levels (11.2% at the end of 2019).
- The climb (2022 to 2026). The share rose steadily, about half a point a year, regained the pandemic peak in 2025 Q2, and reached 17.1% in Q2 2026.
What came after: online sellers keep outgrowing stores
In January to September 2026, US nonstore retailers (mostly online sellers) grew sales 8.0%, against 4.8% for all retail trade (Census Bureau, Monthly Retail Trade). See ecommerce statistics.
What it means
- The pandemic pulled forward several years of online growth, but did not permanently change the trend’s pace.
- Stores still handle most sales: about 83% of US retail sales are still made offline.
- For businesses: plan for steady online growth of about half a point of market share a year, not another leap.
Explore the data
Questions
How much did online shopping grow during the pandemic?
The online share of US retail jumped from 11.9% to 16.3% between Q1 and Q2 2020.
What is the online share of US retail now?
17.1% in Q2 2026, a record (seasonally adjusted).
Did online shopping fall after the pandemic?
Its share fell back to 14.6% by late 2021, then climbed again, regaining its pandemic peak in 2025 Q2.
Sources
- US Census Bureau, Quarterly Retail E-Commerce Sales, via FRED series ECOMPCTSA (updated 18 August 2026).
- US Census Bureau, Advance Monthly Sales for Retail and Food Services, September 2026.
See our methodology. Cite as: Advanton (2026), "Online Shopping’s Pandemic Leap".
Last reviewed November 13, 2026. Startup costs are estimates; check local prices, licensing and tax rules before you commit money.