Top Ecommerce Categories in the US
If you’re starting an online store, it’s important to know what the top ecommerce categories are so you can tap on the right products, boost sales, and grow your business.
According to recent data on ecommerce sales by product category, the top-selling items of 2021 were related to computer and consumer electronics. Total retail ecommerce sales from these products were forecast to reach $194.94 billion. It was also expected to constitute 21.5% of total retail ecommerce sales, which means that more than one in five dollars spent by consumers online in 2021 was on computer and consumer electronics products.
That’s not all. The data also shows that the majority (53.2%) of the products from this category are now being sold online—making it an attractive niche for budding online store owners.
The second-largest ecommerce category in terms of sales was apparel and accessories. In 2021, it was expected to generate more than $183.52 billion in sales. Like computer and electronics products, its market share of total retail ecommerce sales was projected at just over 20%.
Even though it ranks second, apparel and accessories was forecast to be the fastest-growing consumer products category in the US. According to analysts’ projections, total online sales from this category was expected to grow 18.9% in 2021.
Together, sales from these top two ecommerce categories were forecast to total $378.46 billion—representing a whopping 41.7% of total retail sales online.
At $105.93 billion, furniture and home furnishings was the third-best-selling ecommerce product category in 2021.
This is followed by health and personal care and beauty products, at $85.67 billion. Of this overarching category, the two biggest subcategories were pet products, generating $16.28 billion in sales, and cosmetics and beauty products, whose overall sales hit $12.98 billion.
Rounding out the top five ecommerce categories of 2021 was toys and hobby, registering $64.74 billion in sales. It’s worth noting that these products are becoming increasingly popular to sell and buy online. In fact, in 2022, analysts expect it to become a category that will see most of its products bought online.
Here are the other top ecommerce products ranked by total sales:
- Auto and parts: $62.73 billion
- Books/music/video: $53.85 billion
- Food and beverage: $53.42 billion
- Office equipment and supplies: $18.53 billion
- Other: $85.42 billion
