NRF Unveils Fastest-Growing Retailers

Wayfair, Ascena Retail, Chewy.com and Build.com/Wolseley join Blue Apron as the fastest-growing retailers of 2016.

NORTH AMERICA–The National Retail Federation’s Stores magazine has released its annual Hot 100 Retailers list for 2017, with Blue Apron taking the No. 1 spot.

The Hot 100 list of fastest-growing U.S. retailers is compiled by Kantar Retail and is based on sales growth in 2016 over the year prior. The report ranks both public and privately held retail companies by U.S. domestic sales, with a $300 million threshold for inclusion.

This year’s No. 1 fastest-growing retailer, Blue Apron, saw an annual sales growth of 133 percent to $795.4 million in 2016. The No. 2 retailer, Wayfair, saw sales increase 54 percent to $2.9 billion. Following at No. 3 is the Ascena Retail Group (parent company of Ann Taylor, Dress Barn, Lane Bryant, Catherines and Maurices) experienced a sales increase of 50 percent to $7 billion. Online pet food seller, Chewey.com, came in at No. 4 with a 48 percent growth to $900 million, followed at No. 5 by online building supply company Build.com/Wolseley, which increased 38 percent to $911 million.

Rounding out the top 10 (in order) are convenience store operator CST Brands (up 29 percent), subscription fashion retailer JustFab (up 29 percent), supermarket and department store chain Grupo Comercial Chedraui (up 27 percent), supermarket chain Gelson’s Markets (up 26 percent) and Amazon.com (up 25 percent).

“The retail industry is getting better at addressing shifts in shopping behaviors and thinking differently,” says Susan Reda, media editor, Stores. “What matters most to consumers is a retailer differentiating itself in the marketplace, being innovative with merchandise and offering the right value to the right person, not whether a retailer is ‘bricks or clicks.’ The mix of both traditional and digital retailers on this year’s list reflects that. The secret to sustained growth going forward is a symbiotic relationship between digital and physical retailing.

Additionally, Stores has identified 14 retailers as “sustained sizzlers” for having made the Hot 100 list every year since its establishment in 2006. These companies include (in order): Amazon.com; Aldi; Dollar General; Ross Stores; O’Reilly Automotive; Dick’s Sporting Goods; Tractor Supply Co.; Academy Sports + Outdoor; Ulta Salon, Cosmetics & Fragrance; Sprouts Farmers Market; Casey’s General Stores; Grocery Outlet; Sephora; and Lululemon Athletica.

“This year’s Hot 100 confirms once again that retail growth is coming from a number of places, including less traditional channels in the industry,” says Andrew Stockwell, chief product strategy and marketing officer, Kantar Retail. “While a tremendous amount of volume is still generated from big boxes, retail channels such as online, discount, club, drug and convenience are powering accelerated growth.”