Gift Shopping Reference
Current figures on online retail, custom-made goods, marketplace activity, and the gift-buying occasions that matter most. Updated August 19, 2026.
Gift shopping is personal, but the market around it is measurable. These statistics bring together the latest publicly reported U.S. retail figures, major seasonal spending estimates, and Etsy marketplace data. Each figure links to its original source and keeps the publication date close at hand.
At a glance
$340.2B
Seasonally adjusted retail e-commerce sales increased 12.2% from the same quarter in 2025 and represented 17.1% of total retail sales.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Quarterly Retail E-Commerce Sales, Q2 2026, August 19, 202686.5M
Etsy reported 5.6 million active sellers on the marketplace at the same date.
Source: Etsy 2025 Annual Report, February 202630%
The company reported this share as evidence of demand for one-of-a-kind and personalized goods.
Source: Etsy 2025 Annual Report, February 2026$38B
The National Retail Federation reported planned spending of $284.25 per person on gifts.
Source: National Retail Federation, Mother’s Day Spending Expected to Hit Record $38 Billion, April 21, 2026$27.9B
The National Retail Federation reported planned spending of $226.58 per person.
Source: National Retail Federation, Father’s Day Spending to Hit Record $27.9 Billion, June 10, 2026$890.49
This National Retail Federation survey includes gifts, food, decorations, and other seasonal items.
Source: National Retail Federation, 2025 Holiday Survey, October 2025What the figures show
Online retail continues to claim a meaningful share of U.S. shopping, while the Etsy data shows that custom and made-to-order purchases remain a substantial part of a leading marketplace for unique goods. Seasonal occasions still bring concentrated demand, with Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and winter holidays each giving shoppers a reason to choose something more considered than an everyday purchase.
These are market-level figures, not a forecast for any one seller. They are most useful as context when comparing gift occasions, shopping behavior, and the role of personal details in a purchase.
Browse handmade giftsMethod and sources
This page uses publicly available figures from the U.S. Census Bureau, the National Retail Federation, and Etsy’s annual reporting. Each statistic is linked directly to the report or release that supports it. Figures are refreshed when a key source publishes newer data, while the section anchors stay in place for reliable reference.
Yarbys Creations. “Gift Shopping Statistics for 2026.” Updated August 19, 2026. https://yarbyscreations.com/gift-shopping-statistics
Need a handmade piece for a gift occasion? Explore custom shadow boxes or ask about a listed piece.