Retail sales, excluding auto, in December rose 6.9 percent compared to December 2020 and gained 8.1 percent against December 2019, according to Mastercard SpendingPulse, which measures in-store and online retail sales across all forms of payment

This follows a strong holiday selling season, where retail sales grew 8.5 percent excluding auto.

By sector, sales of

  • Apparel grew 46.3 percent against the year-ago quarter and increased 22.6 percent compared with the 2019 second quarter;
  • Department Stores grew 19.1 percent against the year-ago quarter and increased 15.3 percent compared with the 2019 second quarter;
  • Electronics & Appliances grew 16.0 percent against the year-ago quarter and increased 17.6 percent compared with the 2019 second quarter;
  • Grocery grew 8.3 percent against the year-ago quarter and increased 16.9 percent compared with the 2019 second quarter;
  • Jewelry grew 31.0 percent against the year-ago quarter and increased 27.0 percent compared with the 2019 second quarter.
  • Luxury (excluding Jewelry) grew 46.8 percent against the year-ago quarter and increased 20.7 percent compared with the 2019 second quarter; and
  • Restaurants 51.9 percent against the year-ago quarter and increased 21.1 percent compared with the 2019 second quarter.

The Mastercard report also detailed trends that built momentum in December, which included:

  • Buying with a Purpose: Consumers are looking for retailers that share their values, creating and delivering products in a sustainable and inclusive way. Worldwide, 85 percent of adults said were willing to take personal action to combat environmental and sustainability challenges, and 62 percent said it is now more important that companies behave in a sustainable and eco-friendly way.
  • Commerce E-volution: Retailers and brands spent much of the pandemic shifting or expanding digital channels, which Mastercard said reflected in its SpendingPulse figures, as online sales continued to experience strong growth in December (13.5 percent YOY, 60.4 percent YO2Y). In 2022, innovation will be amplified with retailers looking at different platforms and ways to reach hyper-connected consumers.
  • Experiential Retail: Innovation has been key as retailers started to think of their digital and physical stores more cohesively than distinctly separate channels. This trend brought “phygital” innovation in how retailers engage with customers digitally and in person. Mastercard expects the ability to make purchases “how I want” will continue, requiring retailers to offer hybrid models, according to a its Consumer Impact Study.
  • Consumer Privacy Gets Real: The demand for personalized experience must be met by a heightened focus on consumer privacy. Retailers will need to find new ways to understand and engage their digital consumers effectively.