Amazon.com, Apple Stores Gain Significant Ground in Latest Top Retailers Report

Read the 2011 STORES Top 100 article, compared to 2010 report.

Read STORES Editor Susan Reda's blog on the top retailers.

For Immediate Release
Kathy Grannis (202)783-7971 or grannisk@nrf.com 
www.STORES.org

Amazon.com, Apple Stores Gain Significant Ground in Latest Top Retailers Report
-Wal-Mart No. 1 on STORES Top 100 Again; Top 10 Remain Nearly Unchanged-

Washington, July 1, 2011 – The view from the top hasn’t changed much, but the nation’s largest retailers are keeping a watchful eye on two companies that continue to make significant advances on their coveted territory, according to the STORES Top 100 Retailers. The annual ranking of U.S. retailers by domestic sales, featured in the July issue of STORES Magazine, was compiled by Kantar Retail and sponsored by Verizon.

“As one of the most competitive industries in the country, it’s not easy to stay at the top of the retail empire,” said Susan Reda, Editor, STORES Media. “The nation’s largest retailers should be commended for continuing to find new ways to grow their businesses and remain relevant in the eyes of shoppers in spite of incredible competition from other companies in the U.S. and abroad.”

Known for its stellar customer service and popular Kindle e-reader, Amazon.com jumped from No. 26 to No.19 on this year’s list, as 2010 U.S. sales grew 46.2 percent to $18.5 billion. The Kindle revolutionized how consumers read and access their favorite books, with e-books now outnumbering the purchases of hard- and soft-cover books at Amazon.com.

Apple Stores climbed more than 30 spots - from No. 52 to No. 21 - with 2010 U.S. sales increasing 32.3 percent to $18 billion. For many Americans, owning an iPod, iPhone and iPad is a way of life, creating what many experts dub a “cult-like culture.” Data tracker company iSuppli estimates 44 million iPads will be purchased in 2011.

Perennial No. 1 Wal-Mart boasted U.S. sales totaling $307 billion. The company is continuing to look for new growth opportunities by testing several smaller “Express” store prototypes in both rural and urban areas throughout the country.

As the largest supermarket company in the U.S., No. 2 Kroger has found success via its in-store pharmacies and health programs, is now publishing health guides with information on natural standards for herbs and supplements and is offering a unique 30-day/$4 prescription medication program. Kroger’s sales grew 6.4 percent to $78 billion in 2010.

No. 3 Target, whose sales topped $65 billion last year, is seeking to place smaller units in inner cities and recently completed a revitalization of its PFresh initiative, which added fresh fruits and vegetables to stores across the country.

After acquiring drugstore.com, adding specialty pharmacy and in-store health clinics and expanding its food offerings, No. 4 Walgreen saw sales grow 6.3 percent in 2010.

Home Depot (#5), Costco (#6), CVS Caremark (#7), Lowe’s (#8), Best Buy (#9) and Sears Holdings (#10) round out the top 10.

“One of the keys to retail survivorship in the U.S. is diversity, particularly in the variety of retail footprints that populate the retail landscape,” said Bryan Gildenberg, Chief Knowledge Officer, Kantar Retail. “This year’s top 10 features retailers that operate in six different core formats and that in aggregate run everything from non-store retail to convenience stores to massive supercenters.”

New to the list this year, home maintenance/hardware stores True Value (#26) and Ace Hardware (#36) are benefitting from the struggling housing market as consumers invest in small, do-it-yourself projects and shy away from larger remodeling undertakings.

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