Industry Statistics and Trends
Market size and recent performance (2016-2031)
Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 0.4 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $912.4bn in 2026.
Trends and Insights
Lopsided inflation leaves grocery revenue stagnant despite record food prices
- From 2021 to 2026, supermarkets faced steep food-at-home inflation, with prices rising 11.4% in 2022 and 5.0% in 2023, according to the USDA. Yet, industry revenue barely nudged upward, peaking only 0.5% higher in 2022 before falling below 2021 levels for two years and recovering modestly after 2024. This disconnect highlights a key trend: price levels surged, but true sales volume shrank or stagnated, offsetting any inflationary windfall.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2026-2031)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
Stable economic activity poised to support steady but marginal revenue growth
- Grocery stores and supermarkets are poised for marginal revenue expansion over the next five years, driven by economic and demographic factors. With per capita disposable income expected to climb between 2.1% annually, consumers will likely have more financial flexibility to spend on premium and specialty grocery items. This gain in spending power, alongside steady consumer spending growth, suggests a stable economic environment that could bolster sales of value-added and convenience products.
Biggest companies in the Supermarkets & Grocery Stores in the US
| Company | Market Share (%)
2026 | Revenue ($m)
2026 | Profit ($m)
2026 | Profit Margin (%)
2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
The Kroger Co. | 150,292.5 | 1,101.1 | 0.7 | |
Albertsons Companies, Inc. | 84,214.3 | 1,315.1 | 1.6 | |
Publix Super Markets, Inc. | 66,102.1 | 4,865.1 | 7.4 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 16 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Fruit and vegetables, Fresh and frozen meat and Dairy and egg products. Fruit and vegetables is the largest segment of the Supermarkets & Grocery Stores in the US.
Trends and Insights
Health-driven demand sustains produce sales as affordability and category mix shift under inflation
- Fruit and vegetables represent 11.4% of supermarket revenue in 2026, anchored by health consciousness—72% of shoppers report buying produce for wellness reasons. Yet, the Healthy Eating Index fell from 64.6 to 62.6 between 2021 and 2026, while per capita disposable income grew at just 2.5% annually, underscoring that many households are unable to increase spending on premium options despite health intentions.
- More insights available in the full report
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
The Supermarkets and Grocery Stores industry accounts for the largest food retail channel in the United States. Operators in this industry retail general lines of food products, including fresh and prepared meats, poultry and seafood, canned and frozen foods, fresh fruits and vegetables and various dairy products. Delicatessens primarily retailing food are also included. Grocery sales from big-box stores, warehouse clubs and supercenters are external to the industry.
What's included in this industry?
Products and services covered in the Supermarkets & Grocery Stores industry in the United States include Retailing a general line of food and Retailing health and beauty products.Companies
Companies covered in the Supermarkets & Grocery Stores industry in the United States include The Kroger Co., Albertsons Companies, Inc. and Publix Super Markets, Inc.Purchase this report to view all 16 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
Related terms covered in the Supermarkets & Grocery Stores industry in the United States include point-of-sale system, private label brands, premium brands, fresh format stores and limited assortment stores.Industry Code
NAICS 44511 - Supermarkets & Grocery Stores in the US
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
Inflation reshapes grocery strategy. Supermarkets aren’t riding the high of rising prices; instead, they’re seeing flat real sales and a sharp pivot toward private-label bran...
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2016-2025) and forecast (2026-2031)
- Employees, including historical (2016-2025) and forecast (2026-2031)
- Businesses, including historical (2016-2025) and forecast (2026-2031)
- Profit, including historical (2016-2026)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
Income divides shape grocery buying habits. Budget-conscious shoppers increasingly lean on private labels and discounted staples, while affluent households splurge on premium...
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2026
- Product innovation level
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2026
- Major market segmentation in 2026
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
The Mid-Atlantic region leads the grocery industry due to urbanization and consumer demand. High population density and urban centers drive demand for diverse grocery options...
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each state
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2026
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each state in 2026
- Number and share of revenue each state accounts for in 2026
- Number and share of wages each state accounts for in 2026
- Number and share of employees in each state in 2026
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across North America, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
Regulatory pushback curbs major supermarket mergers. Antitrust authorities blocked the Kroger–Albertsons deal, signaling a new era where large-scale consolidation faces inten...
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2021-2026
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
Kroger’s failed Albertsons merger leaves costly scars. The collapse brought over $1.0 billion in expenses, slashed operating income and left ongoing legal woes, forcing Kroge...
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2022 through 2026
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2026
- Overview of The Kroger Co.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2020 through 2026
- Overview of Albertsons Companies, Inc.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2020 through 2026
- Overview of Publix Super Markets, Inc.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2020 through 2026
- Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for 13 additional companies
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for The Kroger Co., and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Albertsons Companies, Inc., and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Publix Super Markets, Inc., and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description, key data and performance trends for 13 additional companies
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
Government programs like SNAP and WIC provide crucial stability for supermarkets. These benefits boost customer traffic and sales, especially in lower-income and rural areas,...
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2016-2031)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2016-2031)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
Supermarkets build profit on strategic innovation, not inflation. By expanding private labels, investing in automation and controlling costs, grocers are securing more stable...
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2026
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2026
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Industry Multiples (2019-2024)
- Industry Tax Structure (2019-2024)
- Income Statement (2019-2024)
- Balance Sheet (2019-2024)
- Liquidity Ratios (2019-2024)
- Coverage Ratios (2019-2024)
- Leverage Ratios (2019-2024)
- Operating Ratios (2019-2024)
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2016-2031)
- Revenue per Employee (2016-2031)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2016-2031)
- Employees per Establishment (2016-2031)
- Employees per Enterprise (2016-2031)
- Average Wage (2016-2031)
- Wages/Revenue (2016-2031)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2016-2031)
- IVA/Revenue (2016-2031)
- Imports/Demand (2016-2031)
- Exports/Revenue (2016-2031)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2016-2031)
- IVA (2016-2031)
- Establishments (2016-2031)
- Enterprises (2016-2031)
- Employment (2016-2031)
- Exports (2016-2031)
- Imports (2016-2031)
- Wages (2016-2031)
Top Questions Answered
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Supermarkets & Grocery Stores industry in the United States in 2026?
The market size of the Supermarkets & Grocery Stores industry in the United States is $912.4bn in 2026.
How many businesses are there in the Supermarkets & Grocery Stores industry in the United States in 2026?
There are 77,543 businesses in the Supermarkets & Grocery Stores industry in the United States, which has grown at a CAGR of 4.3 % between 2021 and 2026.
How may import tariffs affect the Supermarkets & Grocery Stores industry in the United States?
The Supermarkets & Grocery Stores industry in the United States is unlikely to be materially impacted by import tariffs with imports accounting for a low share of industry revenue.
How may export tariffs affect the Supermarkets & Grocery Stores industry in the United States?
The Supermarkets & Grocery Stores industry in the United States is unlikely to be materially impacted by export tariffs with exports accounting for a low share of industry revenue.
Has the Supermarkets & Grocery Stores industry in the United States grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Supermarkets & Grocery Stores industry in the United States has been growing at a CAGR of 0.4 % between 2021 and 2026.
What is the forecast growth of the Supermarkets & Grocery Stores industry in the United States over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Supermarkets & Grocery Stores industry in the United States is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Supermarkets & Grocery Stores industry in the United States?
The biggest companies operating in the Supermarkets & Grocery Stores industry in the United States are The Kroger Co., Albertsons Companies, Inc. and Publix Super Markets, Inc.
What does the Supermarkets & Grocery Stores industry in the United States include?
Retailing a general line of food and Retailing health and beauty products are part of the Supermarkets & Grocery Stores industry in the United States.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Supermarkets & Grocery Stores industry in the United States?
The company holding the most market share in the Supermarkets & Grocery Stores industry in the United States is The Kroger Co..
How competitive is the Supermarkets & Grocery Stores industry in the United States?
The level of competition is high and increasing in the Supermarkets & Grocery Stores industry in the United States.
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in the US include:
- US Census Bureau
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics
- US International Trade Commission
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
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