Top Consumer Sectors and Products to Buy in the United States
In 2019, U.S. retail sales reached approximately 6.3 trillion dollars, with e-commerce accounting for about 11 percent of total sales, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Consumers prioritized technology, health and wellness, and home improvement goods, driven by low unemployment and rising wages. Key categories included smartphones, wearables, electric vehicles, and premium home appliances, reflecting a shift toward higher-value and connected products. For broader economic context, see the U.S. Census Bureau retail sales data at https://www.census.gov/retail/index.html.
Leading companies in these sectors included Apple, Tesla, Amazon, and Nike, which dominated online and offline channels. Apple reported fiscal revenue of 260 billion dollars in its fiscal year ending September 2019, driven by iPhone, Services, and Wearables. Tesla delivered over 367,000 vehicles in 2019, with the Model 3 as the best-selling plug-in electric car in the U.S. market. Amazon continued to expand its share of U.S. e-commerce, while Nike benefited from direct-to-consumer digital growth and strong athletic footwear demand.
Investment and Financial Products to Consider
U.S. stock markets in 2019 delivered strong returns, with the S&P 500 index rising about 31 percent and the Nasdaq Composite climbing roughly 35 percent. Investors favored technology, healthcare, and consumer discretionary sectors, supported by robust corporate earnings and accommodative monetary policy by the Federal Reserve. Low interest rates made growth stocks and exchange-traded funds particularly attractive, while fixed-income yields remained modest. For official Federal Reserve policy information, see https://www.federalreserve.gov/monetarypolicy/fomc_monetarypolicy.htm.
Exchange-traded funds tracking the S&P 500 and Nasdaq-100 saw record inflows, and individual investors increased exposure to U.S. equities through brokerage and robo-advisor platforms. The number of active retail brokerage accounts in the United States grew, supported by commission-free trading models introduced by major firms. Corporate bond issuance also remained strong, with U.S. investment-grade issuance exceeding 1.3 trillion dollars in 2019. For additional market data, see the S&P Dow Jones Indices overview at https://www.spglobal.com/spdji/.
High-Demand Goods and Emerging Trends
Consumer demand in 2019 favored electric vehicles, renewable energy products, smart home devices, and premium health and fitness gear. Tesla's U.S. vehicle deliveries and battery storage deployments grew, supported by federal and state incentives for clean energy adoption. The home improvement sector benefited from low mortgage rates and a strong housing market, with companies like Home Depot and Lowe's reporting solid sales growth. For Tesla's 2019 impact report and vehicle data, see https://www.tesla.com/impact.
Health and wellness spending continued to rise, with U.S. consumers purchasing fitness equipment, supplements, and wearable health devices in record volumes. The wearable technology market expanded as companies launched advanced smartwatches and fitness trackers with health monitoring features. E-commerce platforms enabled faster access to niche and premium products, and direct-to-consumer brands gained share across categories including apparel, skincare, and pet care. For broader retail and consumer trends, see Forbes coverage at https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesbusinesscouncil/.