STORES Magazine has released its latest Hot 100 Retailers, a list compiled by Kantar Retail that ranks 100 of the fastest-growing retail chains in the U.S. Both private and public companies were present on the list and had to report more than $300 million in sales to qualify.
“This year’s Hot 100 features a series of retailers selling broad based solutions that resonate emotionally with shoppers,” said Bryan Gildenberg, Chief Knowledge Officer at Kantar Retail. “Either through specialized expertise in stores like lululemon and Under Armour or by ease of access to a wide variety of products like Amazon, retailers are going beyond function to a more emotional connection as the key to rapid growth.”
Fashion vendors and supermarkets took most of the top 10 positions:
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- Bi-Lo
- Michael Kors Holdings
- Sprouts Farmers Market
- lululemon athletica
- Apple Stores / iTunes
- Under Armour
- Amazon
- H&M
- Helzberg Diamonds
- The Fresh Market
Clothing vendors in particular experienced a significant boost in growth. H&M entered the Hot 100 list for the first time this year and was ranked at 8th place. Michael Kors advanced to 2nd place from 3rd last year, with a 63.2% increase in revenue from 2011.
Susan Reda, Media Editor at STORES, attributed the high growth to a more vigorous economy and a shift in customer engagement. Retailers are now delivering products with “a relevant and personalized shopping experience.”
