U.S. Deli Foods Industry - Statistics & Facts

Since the first-ever deli opened in New York in the 1880s, total deli department sales in the United States have since grown considerably and in 2020, exceeded 41 billion U.S. dollars, almost double the sales figure of 24.3 billion less than a decade earlier in 2014.

Segments

In terms of segments, deli prepared deli foods and deli meals captured the highest share of deli department sales. With almost half of the sales share, it was the most popular deli segment in the United States in 2021. That year, deli cheese and deli meat were also notable segments within deli departments in the country, accounting for a sales share of 20.2 and 19.3 percent, respectively. Within the biggest deli segment for prepared foods and meals, the categories capturing the biggest sales share were deli entrees, deli prepared meats, and deli salads.

Deli departments in U.S. supermarkets

While delis have originally started as delicatessen standalone retail establishments, over time many supermarkets and grocery stores in the United States have incorporated deli departments and expanded them. Deli prepared foods had the third-largest share of perimeter food sales in supermarkets in the U.S. after produce and meat. In the next years, perimeter food sections in supermarkets, including deli departments, are bound to gain more prominence as consumers increasingly turn towards healthier food consumption and reduce consumption of packaged and processed food options.


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