Text: Stuart Anderson

Total world retail sales have grown from US$6.37 trillion, to US$8.69 trillion in the last five years, a 36.5 per cent increase. Grocery retail has increased by 40.2 per cent in this time frame, while non-grocery retail by 33.9 per cent, although non-grocery still accounts for a larger share of total retail sales (56.8 per cent).

Non-store retailing accounts for just 6.1 per cent of the combined store and non-store retailing total. Vending, home shopping and direct selling have risen in line with overall retail trends. However, the growth rate of internet retailing (207.5 per cent) outstrips all other sectors, with total sales passing vending in 2002 and direct selling in 2003.

Non-store retailing growth rates (over five year period from 2001-2005)
Vending: 33.7%
Home shopping: 39.4%
Internet retailing: 207.5%
Direct selling: 31.3%
Total: 61.8%

Western Europe leads the regions in total retail sales, having caught and passed North America in 2003. In fact, Western Europe's sales have grown by over US$1 trillion or 57.5 per cent in the five years, while North America has failed to grow by half that amount, achieving a 23.1 per cent increase.

Retail sales growth rates (over five year period from 2001-2005)
Australasia: 91.2%
Eastern Europe: 73.0%
Western Europe: 58.0%
Africa and Middle East: 37.9%
North America: 23.1%
Asia Pacific: 30.0%
Latin America: 7.2%

North America leads the regions in non-store retailing, accounting for almost half of world non-store sales (44.5 per cent). Western Europe overtook Asia Pacific in 2004, while Australia and Eastern Europe have more than doubled their totals in the five year period.

Non-store retail sales growth rates (over five year period from 2001-2005)
Eastern Europe: 165.9%
Australasia: 101.5%
Western Europe: 94.0%
Africa and Middle East: 85.8%
Asia Pacific: 57.0%
North America: 50.2%
Latin America: 24.6%