Men vs Women Shopping Statistics in 2024
Female shoppers have spent over $35 trillion on consumer goods globally, accounting for around 50% of the total global consumption expenditure, which stands at $72 trillion. Whereas, in the United States, women are responsible for 85% of the country's consumer spending, amounting to around $14 trillion.
American male shoppers make 75% more purchases in the brick and mortar stores than women. However, over 70% of female shoppers in the US shop from eCommerce platforms.
In this blog, we will explore key men vs women shopping statistics, which will help you get valuable insights into their shopping behaviors and preferences.
Top Men vs Women Shopping Statistics in 2024
- American women account for 85% of consumer spending
- Men spend an average of $39, whereas women spend an average of $28 worldwide
- 72% of male buyers are more likely to use a computer for online purchases
- Men in the U.S. have $125 more credit card debt on average than women
- Single male shoppers in the U.S. spend $43,299 annually, compared to $42,174 for females
- 75% of American men and women consumers say they’re spending the same or less than last year
Men vs. Women Shopping Statistics
Women shoppers tend to shop more and spend twice as much as men. They also spend more time shopping offline compared to male shoppers. A majority of female buyers prefer purchasing from department stores. Below we have listed some of the interesting men vs women shopping statistics that you should know:
- Female buyers worldwide spend 2x the total amount of all consumer spending in the United States.
- 3 out of 10 American men make purchases in a single day, compared to around 40% of women. Reports also suggest that women spend an average of around 1 hour per shopping trip while men spend around 45 minutes for the same.
- 8 out of 10 female shoppers in the US prefer to purchase products on sale, while 74% of male buyers do the same. However, men spend more on a single product than women.
- Only 8% of American men are interested in studying promotional emails, whereas 14% of women show curiosity in them.
Here is the table to show the factors influencing the final purchasing decision for male and female shoppers:
Shopping Behavior | Men | Women |
---|---|---|
Free shipping | 60% | 60% |
Best bargain | 74% | 77% |
Buying on sale | 57% | 74% |
Applying coupons or promo codes | 26% | 34% |
Studying promotional emails | 8% | 14% |
- Almost half of the female buyers in the United States prefer shopping at big box or department and convenience stores. While only 4 out of 10 American men share the same preference.
- Consumer Direct is the least preferred retail type among American consumers, chosen by only 13% of women and 11% of men.
The table below shows the most preferred retail types among Americans by gender:
Retail Type | Men | Women |
Big box or department | 37% | 49% |
Specialty | 29% | 37% |
Pharmacy/convenience stores | 36% | 48% |
Consumer Direct | 11% | 13% |
Online only | 14% | 17% |
Online marketplace | 32% | 43% |
None of the above | 35% | 22% |
- 4 out of 10 women in the US buy groceries weekly, compared to 37.5% of men. Only 8% of men and 4.5% of women purchase groceries daily. There are around 41.8% of male and 34.8% of female shoppers in the country who buy groceries multiple times a week.
There are around 41.8% of male and 34.8% of female shoppers in the country who buy groceries multiple times a week.
Here is the table to show how often men and women purchase groceries in the US:
Shopping Frequency | Men | Women |
Daily | 8% | 4.5% |
4-5 times a week | 10.8% | 6.9% |
2-3 times a week | 31% | 27.6% |
Once a week | 37.5% | 44% |
Less frequency than once a week | 12.7% | 17% |
- 7 out of 10 American women like purchasing retail items in person rather than ordering them online, while about 60% of men prefer the same.
- Only 5% of men and 8% of women prefer ordering retail items from brands’ mobile apps or websites.
Let's check the most preferred channels to purchase retail items among US shoppers by gender:
Purchasing Channels | Men | Women |
In-person | 60% | 65% |
Brand’s mobile app/website | 5% | 8% |
Brand’s website on computer/laptop | 19% | 14% |
Sources: PLMA, BelVG, Statista 1, Statista 2, Statista 3
Men vs. Women Shopping Statistics by Age
American women consumers who are aged under 40 years spend more compared to men. When it comes to the medium of shopping, female shoppers from 18 to 24 years mostly like to purchase online through their smartphones. Below we have compiled some key men vs women shopping statistics by age group:
- Female shoppers in the United States aged under 40 years spend 2x more than men, with figures at 19% compared to 12%. By the 45-54 age range, men gain a slight advantage, spending 27% compared to women's 26%.
- 9 out of 10 Gen Z women shoppers in the US spend over an hour a day shopping online. Half of them prefer buying clothes on mobile over other categories.
- Reports show that 41% of Gen Z females in the country buy apparel 1 to 2 times a month, while only 17% of males do the same.
- Only 12.1% of female Gen Z buyers purchase apparel daily, compared to 10.2% of male buyers. However, men generally buy more frequently, with over 50% who like to shop multiple times a week.
The table below shows the apparel buying frequency by Gen Z in the US by gender:
Shopping Frequency | Male | Female |
Everyday | 10.2% | 12.1% |
3-4 times a week | 27.3% | 15.2% |
1-2 times a week | 23.6% | 13.6% |
1-2 times per month | 16.8% | 40.9% |
Every 2-3 months | 14.5% | 13.6% |
Rarely or never | 6.8% | 4.5% |
- American women shoppers aged between 45 to 54 years spend an average of $968 per year on women's and girls' clothing. Following closely are buyers aged between 35 to 44 years with a spending average of $853 annually.
Sources: NIQ, Statista Ecommerce, Statista 1, Statista 2
Men vs. Women Online Shopping Statistics
According to various reports, it was found that American women shoppers mostly prefer to shop online than men. Most of the shoppers, both men and women, use their computers to shop online. Social media platforms have become a prominent source for consumers to discover new brands and products. Let’s check some of the important online shopping statistics by gender:
- 7 out of 10 female consumers in the United States indulge in online shopping compared to 68% of male buyers. Over 72% of men buyers are more likely to use a computer to shop online, while about 66% of women shoppers prefer to do so.
- Clothes, technology, and travel accessories are top categories for men, with around 40% purchasing these items online. Reports also revealed that apparel is the top choice for female buyers, with 5 out of 10 purchasing clothing online.
- Medicines are the least preferred category for both genders, with only 8% of men and 10% of women purchasing them online.
Let's check the most favorite categories for men and women online:
Product Category | Men | Women |
Travel/Holiday Accommodation | 37% | 35% |
Food/Groceries | 14% | 18% |
Household Goods | 32% | 30% |
Clothes/Sports Goods | 40% | 46% |
Tickets for Events | 27% | 26% |
Books/Magazines/E-Learning Material | 23% | 25% |
Film/Music | 22% | 16% |
Medicine | 8% | 10% |
Computer/Technologies | 39% | 18% |
- Surveys revealed that 8 out of 10 global female buyers make fashion-related purchases online compared to 73% of men.
- 6 out of 10 female consumers often use social media to discover new brands/products, while about 52% of men do the same. Over half of women buyers like to research a product or brand on social media compared to 47% of men.
The table below shows the usage of social media in the shopping journey by gender:
Shopping Activities | Men | Women |
Often discover products via social media | 52% | 62% |
More likely to discover a new product on social media than any other way | 45% | 52% |
Often research a product via social media | 47% | 52% |
Follow favorite brands on social media | 44% | 48% |
- 6 out of 10 American women make impulse purchases of clothes and shoes online, while around 50% of men prefer impulsive shopping for electronics.
- Home, furniture, and gardening products are the least favored for impulse purchases, with only 24% of women and 23% of men opting for them.
Here is the table for the top online impulse purchases by gender in the United States:
Product Categories | Men | Women |
Clothes or shoes | 38% | 57% |
Toys, games, or books | 44% | 38% |
Personal care products | 18% | 29% |
Electronics | 49% | 27% |
Home, furniture, or garden | 23% | 24% |
- Some reports suggest that over half of women regret impulse purchases, while 46% of men feel the same way. However, women tend to spend less on these impulse buys than men.
Source: BelVG, Statista 1, Statista 2, Statista 3, Pew Research Center
Men vs. Women Offline Shopping Statistics
Men shoppers in the United States are more likely to purchase from brick-and-mortar stores than women. Most of the shoppers purchase household essentials, fashion accessories, and healthcare products from offline stores. Here are some of the key offline shopping statistics by gender:
- American men make 75% more offline purchases than women. However, 90% of female shoppers prefer buying household essentials, compared to 81% of male buyers.
- Following closely are fashion, clothing, and accessories, with over 73% of women and about 65% of men like to purchase them from brick-and-mortar stores.
- Only 23% of women and 25% of men prefer purchasing toys and baby equipment from offline stores in the US.
The table below shows what American men and women prefer to purchase in-store:
Product Categories | Women | Men |
Household essentials | 86% | 81% |
Fashion, clothing and accessories | 73% | 65% |
Health, personal care and beauty | 67% | 52% |
Electronics and appliances | 53% | 57% |
Home Furnishings | 55% | 48% |
Entertainment | 39% | 38% |
Toys and baby equipment | 23% | 25% |
- More than half of men and women shoppers in the United States prefer to make offline purchases at Walmart. Following closely is Target, with over 34% of women and 26% of men preferring to shop in person. Only 8% of American men prefer Kohl's for offline shopping, while 6% of women choose Best Buy.
Here is the table to showcase the most preferred retailer for offline purchases in the US by gender:
Retail Chain | Share of Men doing offline shopping | Share of Women doing offline shopping |
Apple | 19% | 9% |
Best Buy | 11% | 6% |
Walmart | 56% | 54% |
Costco | 12% | 13% |
Target | 26% | 34% |
Kohl's | 8% | 12% |
Sources: PMW, JungleScout
Men vs. Women Holiday Shopping Statistics
In 2024, a majority of Americans plan to increase their holiday spending from previous year. Women buyers dominate in spending amount during the holiday season. When it comes to specific holiday spending, female consumers spend more than men on holidays, like Cyber Monday. Below we have listed some key men vs women holiday shopping statistics:
- American women plan to spend an average of $1,292 on holiday shopping, an 11% increase from last year. Men plan to increase their holiday spending by 68% compared to last year.
- 7 out of 10 US female shoppers make purchases on Cyber Monday, compared to 64.4% of male buyers. For Black Friday, 67.7% of women and 68.9% of men shop online, while only 24.8% of women and 34.1% of men shop in-person.
The table below shows the share of Americans shopping on Black Friday and Cyber Monday by gender:
Holiday Shopping Activity | Share of Men doing holiday shopping | Share of Womendoing holiday shopping |
In-person Black Friday | 34.1% | 24.8% |
Online Black Friday | 68.9% | 67.7% |
Small Business Saturday | 32.2% | 37.3% |
Cyber Monday | 64.4% | 67.1% |
None of the above | 17.8% | 18.5% |
- Over 71% of American women and 66% of men use laptops or desktops for their holiday shopping. Following closely are smartphones, with over 33% of female and 42% of male buyers using them during the holiday season. Only 20% of women and 28% of men use tablets to do holiday shopping.
- Over 40% of Americans do most of their holiday shopping and research online. Meanwhile, 19% of women and 27% of men prefer researching online but still visit physical stores to make their holiday purchases.
- Reports also revealed that around 23% of women and 20% of men in the country do their holiday shopping and research offline.
- 7 out of 10 women in the US consider product cost as the most influencing factor for their holiday shopping, compared to 55% of men.
Source: PWC, Statista 1, Statista 2, Statista 3, Statista 4
Men vs Women Shopping Behavior
According to some reports, male shoppers in the United States are more loyal to their preferred brands than women on both online and offline platforms. Men also lead in spending more on exercise accessories, tobacco products, toys, and others. Here are some important men vs women shopping behavior statistics you must know:
- About 3/4th of U.S. men and women report spending less or maintaining their spending this year compared to last year. While 61% of the consumers revealed their online spending on Amazon, Walmart, and other platforms has dropped. Reports also revealed that around 40% of them plan to increase their spending in the coming quarters.
- 3 out of 10 male shoppers in the United States have bought more exercise supplies, toys, and games. While only 16% of female buyers spent more on these items.
The table below shows the items on which American men and women increased their spending:
Category | Share of men who spent more | Share of women who spent more |
Tobacco, pipes and accessories | 23% | 10% |
Toys and Games | 29% | 15% |
Electronics | 27% | 14% |
Exercise/fitness supplies | 29% | 16% |
Alcohol | 25% | 16% |
- 7 out of 10 men in the US have revealed that they are loyal to their favorite brands, compared to 54% of women. While 41% of men and 22% of women stated that they look for specific brands when shopping online.
Source: JungleScout
Men vs. Women Spending Statistics
Although women consumers account to around half of the global consumer spending, men tend to spend more on average. Only the average spending amount of Gen Z female shoppers is more compared to men. Here are some key men vs women spending statistics:
- Female shoppers worldwide spend over $35 trillion on consumer goods, accounting for about 50% of the global consumer spending of $72.6 trillion. In the United States, female shoppers account for 85% of consumer spending, totaling around $14 trillion.
- Globally, men shoppers spend a median of $39, while women shoppers spend a median of $28. The median spend on purchases for Gen Z female and male shoppers are $40 and $28, respectively.
- For millennials, the median spend of male consumers is around $53, compared to $32 of female buyers.
The table below shows the global median spend on purchases for men and women shoppers by generations:
Generations | Median Spending of Men | Median Spending of Women |
Gen Z | $40 | $28 |
Millennials | $53 | $32 |
Gen X | $44 | $28 |
Baby Boomers | $26 | $23 |
- Single male shoppers in the U.S. spend an average of $43,299 annually, while single female shoppers spend about $42,174. Men allocate around 37.1% of their income to housing, whereas women spend about 46.5%.
- Following closely is transportation, where men and women consumers spend about 16.1% and 14.1% of their income, respectively. Women spend 5.16% more on entertainment than men, who spend 4.36%.
Here is the table to showcase the share of income allocated by single male and female shoppers in categories:
Category | Men | Women |
Housing (including utilities) | 37.10% | 46.50% |
Transportation | 16.10% | 14.10% |
Food at Home | 7.03% | 8.86% |
Healthcare | 6.91% | 11.20% |
Entertainment | 4.36% | 5.16% |
Dining Out | 5.04% | 4.46% |
Apparel and Services | 1.90% | 3.05% |
Education | 1.55% | 1.78% |
Miscellaneous | 1.68% | 1.99% |
Alcoholic Beverages | 1.56% | 0.99% |
Tobacco | 0.83% | 0.51% |
Personal Care | 0.67% | 1.88% |
Reading | 0.18% | 0.30% |
Source: World Bank, Deloitte, BEA
Male vs. Female Credit Card Spending
American men have $125 more credit card debt than women. Despite this, their average credit score is 705, compared to 704 for women. Reports also revealed that females hold an average of 4.5 credit cards, while men have 3.6.
The total debt balance of men consumers in the United States is around $310,004, which is $27,953 more than that of women.
The table below shows the debt difference between men and women:
Debt Metric | Men | Women | % Difference |
Mortgage debt | $211,034 | $192,368 | 9.74% |
HELOC debt | $47,017 | $42,746 | -9.09% |
Auto loan debt | $20,645 | $17,747 | -14.04% |
Student loan debt | $35,188 | $36,131 | 2.68% |
Personal loan debt | $17,716 | $14,780 | -16.56% |
Source: Experian
Conclusion
In summary, men and women have unique shopping behaviors and preferences that vary across platforms, product categories, and age groups. Women account for a significant amount of consumer spending worldwide and in the United States. Unlike men, 70% of women prefer to shop online rather than visit brick-and-mortar stores. Whereas, men are more interested in offline shopping than women.
Looking forward, as eCommerce continues to grow in the U.S., women are anticipated to be key drivers of this trend. Social media is expected to be a major channel for women specifically, with over 60% using these platforms to discover new brands and products.