- Video
2026 State of DMARC Report: Online Retail
Most online retailers aren’t just adopting DMARC. They’re using it to stop attacks.
Key Takeaways
- Online retail leads every other sector in DMARC maturity, including financial services
- More than 72% of retail domains are at enforcement — a full 30 points higher than the global average
- Less than 9% lack valid DMARC records, which is less than half the industry average
The State of DMARC in 2026: Why online retail is leading the way with DMARC enforcement
Retailers have gotten serious about DMARC. Enforcement isn’t optional anymore.
DMARC adoption is growing across many industries, but online retail is the standout of our global 2026 research.
While most sectors are still struggling to move from monitoring to enforcement, retailers have largely made that leap — enforcement has already become the norm in online retail.
The shift reflects the reality of retail email. Order confirmations, shipping updates, and account notifications carry real value — and real risk. Attackers know it, and retailers have responded to safeguard their customers and their brands.
Embracing new standards of security will continue to be a top priority for all industries as AI gives attackers more ways to phish and spoof. If you’re one of the few retailers who hasn’t enabled DMARC enforcement, now’s the time.
“Retail email is high volume, high trust, and high value for attackers.”
Al Iverson
Industry Research and Community Engagement Lead at Valimail
“In online retail, DMARC enforcement is starting to look like table stakes. This is a huge win for the industry.”
Al Iverson
Industry Research and Community Engagement Lead at Valimail
“If you’re one of the few online retailers still at p=none, you’re not just behind — you’re also exposed.”
Al Iverson
Industry Research and Community Engagement Lead at Valimail
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Frequently asked questions
Why is DMARC so important for online retail?
Retail emails often involve transactions and sensitive actions. This makes them prime targets for phishing and spoofing.
What is DMARC enforcement?
Enforcement means setting your DMARC policy to quarantine or reject so unauthenticated emails don’t reach inboxes.
Is monitoring (p=none) enough for online retailers?
No, this setting shows you what’s happening but it doesn’t stop malicious emails.
What should online retailers do next to secure their domain?
If you’re not at enforcement yet, take the step. Enforcement has already become the baseline for online retail, and you don’t want to be left exposed.