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
FinancialsSep 02, 2025
Lab-Grown Diamonds, Lower-Priced Fashion Jewelry Drive Signet Jewelers’ Q2 SalesThe retailer has raised its guidance after seeing total sales increase 3 percent in the second quarter, beating expectations.
MajorsSep 02, 2025
Birks CEO Jean-Christophe Bédos Steps DownNiccolò Rossi di Montelera, executive chairman of the board, was appointed as interim CEO.
MajorsSep 02, 2025
Harry Winston Opens Its Largest Flagship in JapanThe three-floor space also features the jeweler’s largest VIP salon in Japan and offers an exclusive diamond pendant.
Brought to you by
Rallying Call for the Jewelry Industry on Tariffs and Other Key IssuesJewelers of America is leading the charge to protect the industry amidst rising economic threats.
CollectionsSep 02, 2025
Stephanie Gottlieb Debuts Silver Designs in ‘All Hours’ CollabThe collection is a collaboration between Stephanie Gottlieb Fine Jewelry and Oak and Luna, focusing on understated essentials.
Weekly QuizAug 29, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsAug 29, 2025
Sotheby’s UAE Sale to Feature 32-Carat Fancy Vivid Orangy Pink DiamondThe highlight of a single-owner jewelry and watch collection, it’s estimated to fetch up to $7 million at auction this December.
FinancialsAug 29, 2025
Movado’s Q2 Sales Rebound Despite Tariff ImpactCEO Efraim Grinberg noted a resurgence in the fashion watch market.
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine JewelryAs a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.
CollectionsAug 29, 2025
Piece of the Week: Mark Davis’ ‘Bullseye’ Necklace The “Bullseye” necklace, with vintage bakelite and peridot, August’s birthstone, is the perfect transitional piece as summer turns to fall.
Supplier BulletinAug 28, 2025
Clientbook Is Helping Jewelers Turn Clienteling Challenges into Wins with Hands-On Training and CoachingSponsored by Clientbook
GradingAug 28, 2025
GIA’s New ‘Quality Assessment’ for Lab-Grown Diamonds Is Coming It will classify lab-grown stones into one of two categories, “premium” or “standard,” in lieu of giving specific color and clarity grades.
SourcingAug 28, 2025
Botswana Declares Public Health Emergency Amid Diamond Sales SlumpPresident Duma Boko addressed the country’s medical supply chain crisis in a recent televised address.
MajorsAug 28, 2025
Borsheims Names New Jewelry BuyerFormer Free People buyer Afton Robertson-Kanne recently joined the retailer.
IndependentsAug 28, 2025
Sissy’s Log Cabin Donates School Supplies to Memphis StudentsThe jeweler teamed up with two local organizations for its inaugural “Back to School and Bling” event.
EditorsAug 27, 2025
Taylor Swift’s Engagement Ring Is a Fairy Tale for Vintage Diamond CutsThe singer’s new bling, reportedly a natural old mine-cut diamond, is no paper ring.
SourcingAug 27, 2025
11,685-Carat Emerald Recovered From Zambia’s Kagem MineDubbed the “Imboo,” or “buffalo,” emerald, the rough gemstone is part of Gemfields’ latest emerald auction, which is taking place now.
CollectionsAug 27, 2025
Mined + Found’s New Collection Gets Playful The “Play” collection centers on nostalgic toys that have kinetic elements to carry playfulness and wonder into adulthood.
CollectionsAug 26, 2025
Does Your Jewelry Stack Need a Snack?Designer Christina Puchi, the creative force behind CCWW Designs, has created charms and pendants based on iconic candies and crackers.
WatchesAug 26, 2025
Nick Jonas Gets Nostalgic in New Fossil CampaignThe Jonas Brothers star showed off new timepieces against the backdrop of his favorite spots in his home state of New Jersey.
IndependentsAug 26, 2025
Hinkamp Jewelers Celebrates 70 YearsThe family-owned jeweler in Fayetteville, North Carolina, is in the hands of the second generation.
ColumnistsAug 26, 2025
Back to School, Back to Style: Why August is Prime Time for Self-GiftingIn his latest column, Emmanuel Raheb shares tips for encouraging customers to treat themselves to new jewelry.
WatchesAug 25, 2025
London Jewelers Brings Rolex to Historic Hamptons HomeThe new stand-alone Rolex boutique is housed in the former Odd Fellows Hall, a landmark built in 1897.
CollectionsAug 25, 2025
Tennis Star Madison Keys Has the Perfect Necklace for the US OpenThe Brilliant Earth ambassador co-designed a diamond medallion featuring meaningful symbols.
TrendsAug 25, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: That’s a WrapWrap jewelry is more than just a trend; it’s the perfect motif for the coming season of layering, scarves, and pumpkin spice.
WatchesAug 25, 2025
WatchTime NY Show Returns for 10th Anniversary EditionThe three-day watch collector show, coming this October, will feature 44 exhibiting brands, as well as a new dinner experience.
GradingAug 22, 2025
Former Head of GIA India Promoted to Oversee Global Operations Sriram “Ram” Natarajan is now GIA’s senior vice president of laboratory operations and is based out of the lab’s headquarters in Carlsbad.
CollectionsAug 22, 2025
Piece of the Week: Retrouvaí’s ‘Diamond Vein Bond’ CollarThe one-of-a-kind collar represents the beauty of imperfection and the strength to rebuild.
