The STORES Hot 100 Retailers list was recently published; this annual list ranks the nation’s fastest-growing retail companies by year-over-year domestic sales growth. The top nine out of 10 all represent different retail segments (an indicator that growth is due more to management and strategy than any one specific vertical or category of product being particularly hot right now). Much of this growth is due to a strong economy and people feeling confident with their finances. People are specifically spending money on home improvement projects and health + beauty; they are also spending money to create personal ‘experiences.’

Here’s a quick look at the top three fastest growing retailers:

  1. Primark sells Apparel, Home, Health + Beauty online as well as in its brick and mortar locations. Known as the destination store for keeping up with the latest looks without breaking the bank, the company operates over 350 stores in eleven countries across Europe and America. Wonder if our in-house apparel expert, Lisa Penn is familiar?
  2. Bass Pro Shops was the second fastest growing company in 2017. Bass is focused on recreation and sport fishing. Companies like Bass (who acquired Cabela’s in late 2017), Camping World (13th place), Academy Sports + Outdoors (26th place), Dick’s Sporting Goods (46th) and Modell’s Sporting Goods (86th); all help people create their own experiences so they can go fishing, camping, hiking, and participate in all kinds of sports from kayaking to mountain biking. People are living their best life!
  3. Build.com came in third with a focus on home improvement. Via its site, you can buy just about anything for your home project: from bathroom vanities to kitchen appliances to lighting to fans… and the list goes on… FYI, appliances are a top category at B-Stock and popular with secondary market buyers. For more info on that check out our interview with B-Stock’s appliance expert, Chris Garofano. Comparatively, Home Depot (70th place); Sherwin-Williams (74th); and Ace Hardware (89) all made the top 100 as well.

The #4 and #5 spots belong to Amazon and Wayfair, respectively; with Tapestry (home decor) and PetSmart coming in #6 and #7. Five Below (a site geared towards tweens and teens where everything is $5 or less), Ulta Salon, and Pet Retail Brands round out the top 10.

Keep in mind, all of these types of products can be resold on the retail secondary market when retailers experience returns. That being said, it’s important to have a recovery program in place to handle returned and overstock items.

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