SurveysJul 16, 2025
Signet Jewelers Falls Lower on NRF’s ‘Top 100’ Retailers ListSurveysAug 13, 2025
These Are The 25 Hottest Retailers, Says NRF
JD Sports and Wawa were among the fastest-growing retail companies in the U.S. last year.
The National Retail Federation debuted this year’s “Hot 25 Retailers” list, ranking the fastest-growing retail companies in the U.S.
Washington—The National Retail Federation has unveiled its list of the 25 hottest retailers in the U.S.
This year’s “Hot 25 Retailers” list highlights the fastest-growing retail companies in the U.S., ranking them by increases in domestic sales between 2023 and 2024.
All retailers with global sales above $2 billion were eligible for the list.
British sports and fashion retailer JD Sports was in the No. 1 spot with 42 percent year-over-year growth.
The brand’s placement is due in part to its recent acquisitions of Hibbett, City Gear, and Sports Addition, acquiring an additional 1,200 stores in 36 states.
Dublin-based fashion retailer Primark was in the No. 2 spot with sales up 30 percent.
Fast Retailing, the Japanese parent company of brands like Uniqlo, was No. 3 with 28 percent sales growth.
The apparel retailer has also been expanding its footprint, noted David Marcotte, senior vice president of global retail and technology for Kantar, the company that compiles the list.
He highlighted the chain’s use of smart technology and “the best hands-free instantaneous point of sale that I’ve seen.”
Japanese retailers Daiso Sangyo (No. 13) and Muji (No. 14) also made the list.
Oil titan Shell was in the No. 4 spot with sales up 27 percent following its purchase of Timewise stores from Landmark and Brewer from Brewer Oil.
Fashion retailer Abercrombie & Fitch was at No. 5 with sales up 15 percent as the mall staple undergoes a rebrand.
Related stories will be right here …
This year’s “Hot 25 Retailers” list highlights the fastest-growing retail companies in the U.S., ranking them by increases in domestic sales between 2023 and 2024.
All retailers with global sales above $2 billion were eligible for the list.
British sports and fashion retailer JD Sports was in the No. 1 spot with 42 percent year-over-year growth.
The brand’s placement is due in part to its recent acquisitions of Hibbett, City Gear, and Sports Addition, acquiring an additional 1,200 stores in 36 states.
Dublin-based fashion retailer Primark was in the No. 2 spot with sales up 30 percent.
Fast Retailing, the Japanese parent company of brands like Uniqlo, was No. 3 with 28 percent sales growth.
The apparel retailer has also been expanding its footprint, noted David Marcotte, senior vice president of global retail and technology for Kantar, the company that compiles the list.
He highlighted the chain’s use of smart technology and “the best hands-free instantaneous point of sale that I’ve seen.”
Japanese retailers Daiso Sangyo (No. 13) and Muji (No. 14) also made the list.
Oil titan Shell was in the No. 4 spot with sales up 27 percent following its purchase of Timewise stores from Landmark and Brewer from Brewer Oil.
Fashion retailer Abercrombie & Fitch was at No. 5 with sales up 15 percent as the mall staple undergoes a rebrand.
One of the biggest surprises on the list, according to the NRF, is Amazon’s return to the top 25, landing at No. 11.
It’s the second-largest retailer, as per NRF’s 2025 “Top 100” list, but still grew at a strong enough pace (9 percent year-over-year) to make it back on the list.
While the list doesn’t include retailers who are primarily a marketplace, NRF noted that Amazon is more diverse since it has physical sales, marketplace services, and a growing retail footprint through Amazon stores and Whole Foods.
The marketplace model, said Marcotte, “is one I would expect more people to get into in the current environment.”
Several retailers on the list, like JD Sports and Shell, earned their spots via acquisitions, but those types of investments have slowed in 2025 due to market uncertainty and the reserving of cash that followed, said Marcotte.
“If that holds throughout the remainder of 2025, stores will have to find new ways to grow to make next year’s list,” said NRF.
While some companies acquired fellow retailers, others expanded their store counts, like Fast Retailing and Ollie’s Bargain Outlet (No. 21).
Notably, food retailers had a strong presence this year, with 60 percent of the top 10 retailers being food-related.
For the grocers on the list, each has found its own niche in the market, said NRF.
Sprouts Farmers Market (No. 8) shows “operational excellence,” said Marcotte, and has strong social media engagement with its shoppers.
“Everything shows up on social, whether you want to or not,” said Marcotte. “You can’t always have a proactive plan to get better engagement. It’s much more operational excellence that gets them into social media successfully.”
Family-owned Festival Foods (No. 24) in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania-based Wawa (No. 23) have expanded beyond their home turfs.
“Wawa has a very careful, well-thought-through strategic plan for expansion. If they’re opening in a market, they firmly believe they have something they can move,” said Marcotte.
See the full list here.
More on Surveys
The Latest
MajorsMar 27, 2026
Saks Global Has Changed Its Mind About Closing These 3 StoresTwo Saks Fifth Avenue locations, one in Florida and one in California, and one Neiman Marcus store are off the chopping block.
IndependentsMar 27, 2026
Jimmy West, Longtime LJG Executive Director, Dies at 72West, who started in the art department at the Leading Jewelers Guild in 1979, is remembered for his patience, kindness, and dedication.
CollectionsMar 27, 2026
Itä’s ‘Yarí Whirl’ Ring Tells Every Side of the StoryIn the “Tesoro” version of the ring, our Piece of the Week, each side of the gold hexagonal nugget has a unique colored gemstone design.
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessYou deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.
WatchesMar 26, 2026
Q&A: Citizen Watch America President Jeffrey Cohen on Eco-Drive’s 50th AnniversaryCohen discusses the evolution of Citizen’s light-powered technology, the brand’s cross-generational appeal, and tariffs.
Weekly QuizMar 26, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsMar 26, 2026
Peter Smith Pens Book on Human Behavior in Sales“Essentially Human: On Sales and Salespeople" reveals the underlying human traits and behaviors of the most successful sales professionals.
CollectionsMar 26, 2026
Lionheart Celebrates 13 Years of ‘Cassandane’The collection features symbols of love, luck, and light, based on the story of Queen Cassandane and Cyrus the Great of Persia.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
Events & AwardsMar 26, 2026
NAJA, Instappraise Introduce New ScholarshipIt’s the third scholarship to be launched as part of the partnership to help appraisers advance their professional credentials.
Events & AwardsMar 26, 2026
JA Still Accepting Entries for 2026 CASE AwardsThe deadline for entries in the jewelry design competition has been extended to April 3.
SourcingMar 25, 2026
Rob Bates Steps Down as JCK News Director After 28 years with JCK, the veteran industry journalist is launching his own publication on Substack called The Jewelry Wire.
GradingMar 25, 2026
New York’s Natural History Museum, Wiley To Build Minerals DatabaseWiley said the project will give scientists worldwide access to the American Museum of Natural’s History renowned mineral collection.
CollectionsMar 25, 2026
Boochier Turns Flower Friendship Bracelets Into Fine JewelryThe “Flower Puff” collection looks to beaded flower friendship bracelets from childhood, turning the silhouette into nostalgic fine jewelry.
Policies & IssuesMar 25, 2026
Community for Ethical Jewelry to Host Bench Jeweler Shortage WebinarSet for April 2, the webinar will discuss how the jewelry industry can address the workforce gap.
IndependentsMar 24, 2026
Lisa Bayer, Illustrator and Beloved Member of the Muse Family, Dies at 64Bayer, founder of Lisa Bayer Designs, is remembered as “a bright light in every room.”
AuctionsMar 24, 2026
White Diamonds Shine In Christie's Jewels Online SaleThe highest-grossing lot was a Tiffany & Co. ring set with a flawless, emerald-cut diamond of 10 carats.
SourcingMar 24, 2026
AGTA Solidifies Tucson Dates For 2027-2029The next three editions of AGTA GemFair Tucson will feature a five-day show that includes Sunday.
WatchesMar 24, 2026
Christie’s Names New Senior Specialist, WatchesFormer Sotheby’s executive Tom Heap has taken on the London-based role.
CrimeMar 23, 2026
NYPD Looking for 3 Jewelry Store Robbery SuspectsThe group of women allegedly robbed two Catbird stores and one Gorjana location on the afternoon of March 9.
FinancialsMar 23, 2026
Movado’s Q4 Sales Rise As Demand Grows From Younger Shoppers, WomenMovado CEO Efraim Grinberg noted continued strength in the fashion watch and accessible luxury segments in the U.S.
TrendsMar 23, 2026
Marco Bicego’s New Campaign Showcases ‘The Art of Craft’After celebrating 25 years in 2025, the campaign marks a new chapter for the jewelry brand with the message that “Identity Creates Value.”
Events & AwardsMar 23, 2026
These Watch Brands Are Heading to Couture This YearCouture and Time to Watches announced the watch brands, from big names to independents, attendees will see at the show.
FinancialsMar 20, 2026
Macy’s Turnaround Plans Shows Promise, Boosted by Bloomingdale’sPlus, why Saks Global’s bankruptcy may have given Bloomingdale’s an edge.
AuctionsMar 20, 2026
Sotheby's, De Beers Unveil ‘Jwaneng 28.88’ DiamondThe flawless, Type IIa stone is estimated to achieve up to $2.8 million at the auction house’s high jewelry sale in April.
TrendsMar 20, 2026
‘Frankenstein’ Costume Designer Is Bejeweled In Brooches for Oscars WinCostume designer Kate Hawley wore three archival Tiffany & Co. brooches, our Pieces of the Week, while accepting her first Oscar.
FinancialsMar 19, 2026
Signet Jewelers to Close 100 Stores, Shutter James Allen BannerThe jewelry retailer announced changes to its store network and brand portfolio during its fourth-quarter earnings call.
AuctionsMar 19, 2026
26-Carat Diamond Tops $1M at AuctionThe historic stone, which sold at Elmwood’s in London, is the largest white diamond to be offered on the U.K. market in more than a decade.
