Food Industry Facts
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions about the food industry.
How many people work in the food industry?
6.3 M
Grocery stores and food manufacturers employ 6.3 million people.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
What are the total sales for supermarkets?
$1 Trillion
Total sales for supermarkets in 2024 were $1 trillion.
How many items do supermarkets carry?
31,795
On average, supermarkets carry 31,795 items in the store in 2024.
How many supermarkets are in the United States?
45575
Number of Supermarkets
In 2024, there are 45,575 supermarkets in the United States. This includes conventional supermarkets, limited assortment grocery, supercenters, warehouse grocery, conventional club, and natural/gourmet stores, along with military commissaries.
Source: NielsenIQ TDLinx
What is the average net profit for food retailers?
1.7%
The average net profit for food retailers in 2024 is 1.7%.
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How big are supermarkets?
42,453
The average supermarket in 2024 is 42,453 square feet.
What are the average weekly sales per supermarket?
$711806
In 2024, the average weekly sales per supermarket are $711,806.
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How much do Americans spend on groceries?
$170
As of February 2025, average weekly grocery spending per household in the U.S. is $170.
Source: U.S. Grocery Shopper Trends
What are the weekly sales per square foot of selling area for supermarkets?
$18.55
In 2024, weekly sales per square foot of selling area for supermarkets is $18.55.
How much do Americans spend on Food?
% of disposable income spent on food (2024)
Source: USDA (See Table on Normalized Food Expenditures by all Purchasers)
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5.0%
Food at Home
5.6%
Food Away from Home
In 2024, Americans spent 5.0% of their disposable income on food at home and 5.6% of their disposable income on food away form home.
What are the sales per labor hour for supermarkets?
$237.76
In 2024, the sales per labor hour for supermarkets was $237.76.
How much do shoppers spend per transaction at supermarkets?
Sales per customer transaction (2024)
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$45.70
In-store
$108
Online
In 2024, supermarket shoppers sent $45.70 per transaction in-store and $108 per transaction online.
How many grocery items are sold online?
7.1%
In 2024, 7.1% of all grocery item sales were online.
How many sales in supermarkets use self-checkout?
35%
In 2024, 35% of all transactions in supermarkets used self-checkout.
Industry Topics address your specific area of expertise with resources, reports, events and more.
Our Research covers consumer behavior and retail operation benchmarks so you can make informed business decisions.
Events and Education including online and in-person help you advance your food retail career.
Food Safety training, resources and guidance that help you create a company food safety culture.
Government Affairs work — federal and state — on the latest food industry policy, regulatory and legislative issues.
Get Involved. From industry awards to newsletters and committees, these resources help you take advantage of your membership.
Best practices, guidance documents, infographics, signage and more for the food industry on the COVID-19 pandemic.
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