$340.2B
U.S. retail e-commerce sales in the second quarter of 2026.
The seasonally adjusted estimate was 12.2% higher than the second quarter of 2025.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Quarterly Retail E-Commerce Sales, August 18, 2026Reference page
U.S. Gift Shopping Statistics: 2026 Snapshot
A current, cited look at how Americans shop for gifts, from seasonal spending to online retail. Last updated August 22, 2026.
What this page covers
These figures summarize recent U.S. consumer surveys and retail data for people researching gift buying, seasonal shopping, and online retail. Every statistic is linked to its original source and dated so readers can check the underlying research.
Online retail
Shopping keeps moving online
17.1%
Share of total U.S. retail sales that came from e-commerce in the second quarter of 2026.
This shows the scale of online shopping across the broader retail market.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Quarterly Retail E-Commerce Sales, August 18, 2026Valentine's Day
A gift moment with a wider list
$29.1B
Expected U.S. Valentine's Day spending in 2026, a record.
The National Retail Federation projects shoppers will spend $199.78 on average.
Source: National Retail Federation, Valentine's Day Data and Trends, 2026 survey$7B
Expected 2026 Valentine's Day spending on jewelry, the highest-spending gift category.
One in four consumers said they planned to buy jewelry.
Source: National Retail Federation, Valentine's Day Data and Trends, 2026 survey33%
Share of consumers planning to buy Valentine's Day gifts for friends in 2026.
The survey also found 38% of shoppers planned to buy online.
Source: National Retail Federation, Valentine's Day Data and Trends, 2026 surveyMother's Day
Personal gifts still carry weight
$38B
Expected U.S. Mother's Day spending in 2026, a record.
Consumers planned to spend $284 per person on average.
Source: National Retail Federation, Mother's Day Data and Trends, 2026 survey84%
Share of U.S. adults planning to celebrate Mother's Day in 2026.
Online and department stores tied as the leading gift-shopping destinations at 33% each.
Source: National Retail Federation, Mother's Day Data and Trends, 2026 survey$7.5B
Expected Mother's Day jewelry spending in 2026.
Jewelry led all gift categories by expected spending in the survey.
Source: National Retail Federation, Mother's Day Data and Trends, 2026 surveyWinter holidays
The season is still a major shopping event
91%
Share of consumers planning to celebrate the winter holidays in 2025.
Consumers budgeted an average of $890 for gifts and other seasonal items.
Source: National Retail Federation, Winter Holiday Data and Trends, 2025 winter holiday survey85.7M
Online shoppers on Black Friday in 2025.
Black Friday was the leading shopping day online and in stores.
Source: National Retail Federation, Winter Holiday Data and Trends, 2025 winter holiday survey75.9M
Online shoppers on Cyber Monday in 2025.
Cyber Monday ranked as the second-most-popular day for online shopping.
Source: National Retail Federation, Winter Holiday Data and Trends, 2025 winter holiday surveyMethod and sources
How to read these numbers
This page uses the latest relevant public releases available on August 22, 2026. Census figures measure retail e-commerce sales. National Retail Federation figures are consumer survey estimates for their named occasions, not total retail sales. Survey dates and sample details are available on the original source pages.
- Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Quarterly Retail E-Commerce Sales, August 18, 2026
- Source: National Retail Federation, Valentine's Day Data and Trends, 2026 survey
- Source: National Retail Federation, Mother's Day Data and Trends, 2026 survey
- Source: National Retail Federation, Winter Holiday Data and Trends, 2025 winter holiday survey
Cite this page
Esthy Store. "U.S. Gift Shopping Statistics: 2026 Snapshot." Updated August 22, 2026. https://esthygifts.com/gift-shopping-statistics