As brick-and-mortar giants face the challenges of store closures and ongoing Chapter 11 filings, the landscape of in-store shopping is undoubtedly evolving. Increasingly, consumers are turning to online purchases, resulting in a notable decline in foot traffic at physical retail locations.
However, the National Retail Federation’s (NRF) annual sales ranking reveals a different story. Many of America’s most beloved retail brands are not just weathering the storm but thriving, raking in billions in sales and expanding into new markets at a remarkable pace.
The NRF report highlights key players in this retail resurgence, with retail heavyweights like Walmart, Amazon.com, Costco, and Target leading the pack. Walmart, for instance, recorded an impressive 8.2% increase in comparable store sales, while Costco saw a remarkable 10% surge.
Compiled from 2022 sales data by Kantar Retail, the list provides valuable insights into consumer spending patterns. It challenges the prevailing narrative of big box retailers’ decline, shedding light on the challenges faced by drug stores and celebrating the strong performance of supermarket and home improvement chains.
Among the top 50 retailers to keep an eye on, Aldi is making waves with the reported opening of a store in Staten Island this year, and Burlington is expanding its footprint with a second location in the Boulevard Shopping Center this spring. Meanwhile, Costco, Home Depot, Lowe’s, and TJX Companies, which operates several stores in Staten Island, are all solid contenders in the top 10 rankings.
For a comprehensive view of America’s top 50 retailers, you can refer to the full list published on NRF’s website.
1. Walmart
- 2022 worldwide retail sales: $600.94B
- Number of U.S. stores in 2022: 5,330
2. Amazon.com
- 2022 worldwide retail sales: $343.33B
- Number of U.S. stores in 2022: 558
3. Costco
- 2022 worldwide retail sales: $217.53B
- Number of U.S. stores in 2022: 574
4. The Kroger Co.
- 2022 worldwide retail sales: $147.62B
- Number of U.S. stores in 2022: 2,856
5. The Home Depot
- 2022 worldwide retail sales: $155.42B
- Number of U.S. stores in 2022: 1,994
6. Target
- 2022 worldwide retail sales: $107.59B
- Number of U.S. stores in 2022: 1,948
7. CVS Health Corporation
- 2022 worldwide retail sales: $106.59B
- Number of U.S. stores in 2022: 9,728
8. Walgreens Boots Alliance
- 2022 worldwide retail sales: $116.10B
- Number of U.S. stores in 2022: 8,785
9. Lowe’s Companies
- 2022 worldwide retail sales: $93.61B
- Number of U.S. stores in 2022: 1,738
10. Albertsons Companies
- 2022 worldwide retail sales: $76.15B
- Number of U.S. stores in 2022: 2,270
11. Apple Stores/iTunes
- 2022 worldwide retail sales: $80.30B
- Number of U.S. stores in 2022: 272
12. Royal Ahold Delhaize USA
- 2022 worldwide retail sales: $92.14B
- Number of U.S. stores in 2022: 2,059
13. Publix Supermarkets
- 2022 worldwide retail sales: $54.53B
- Number of U.S. stores in 2022: 1,627
14. Best Buy
- 2022 worldwide retail sales: $46.19B
- Number of U.S. stores in 2022: 943
15. Aldi
- 2022 worldwide retail sales: $124.25B
- Number of U.S. stores in 2022: 2,813
16. TJX Companies
- 2022 worldwide retail sales: $48.94B
- Number of U.S. stores in 2022: 3,465
17. Dollar General
- 2022 worldwide retail sales: $37.88B
- Number of U.S. stores in 2022: 19,503
18. H.E. Butt Grocery
- 2022 worldwide retail sales: $36.80B
- Number of U.S. stores in 2022: 346
19. 7-Eleven
- 2022 worldwide retail sales: $86.11B
- Number of U.S. stores in 2022: 12,645
20. Dollar Tree
- 2022 worldwide retail sales: $28.36B
- Number of U.S. stores in 2022: 16,090
21. Ace Hardware
- 2022 worldwide retail sales: $27.56B
- Number of U.S. stores in 2022: 4,867
22. Macy’s
- 2022 worldwide retail sales: $24.36B
- Number of U.S. stores in 2022: 726
23. Verizon Wireless
2022 worldwide retail sales: $23.17B
Number of U.S. stores in 2022: 6,087
24. AT&T Wireless
- 2022 worldwide retail sales: $21.28B
- Number of U.S. stores in 2022: 1,450
25. Meijer
- 2022 worldwide retail sales: $21.18B
- Number of U.S. stores in 2022: 262
26. BJ’s Wholesale Club
- 2022 worldwide retail sales: $20.49B
- Number of U.S. stores in 2022: 237
27. Ross Stores
- 2022 worldwide retail sales: $18.70B
- Number of U.S. stores in 2022: 2,012
28. Wakefern/ShopRite
- 2022 worldwide retail sales: $18.60B
- Number of U.S. stores in 2022: 371
29. Rite Aid
- 2022 worldwide retail sales: $17.57B
- Number of U.S. stores in 2022: 2,309
30. Kohl’s
- 2022 worldwide retail sales: $17.19B
- Number of U.S. stores in 2022: 1,182
31. Nordstrom
- 2022 worldwide retail sales: $15.07B
- Number of U.S. stores in 2022: 344
32. Tractor Supply Co.
- 2022 worldwide retail sales: $14.08B
- Number of U.S. stores in 2022: 2,252
33. O’Reilly Auto Parts
- 2022 worldwide retail sales: $14.44B
- Number of U.S. stores in 2022: 5,929
34. AutoZone
- 2022 worldwide retail sales: $16.07B
- Number of U.S. stores in 2022: 6,118
35. Menards
- 2022 worldwide retail sales: $13.38B
- Number of U.S. stores in 2022: 329
36. Gap
- 2022 worldwide retail sales: $15.30B
- Number of U.S. stores in 2022: 2,140
37. Hy Vee
- 2022 worldwide retail sales: $12.44B
- Number of U.S. stores in 2022: 329
38. Dick’s Sporting Goods
- 2022 worldwide retail sales: $12.28B
- Number of U.S. stores in 2022: 831
39. Dell Technologies
- 2022 worldwide retail sales: $12.02B
- Number of U.S. stores in 2022: N/A
40. Health Mart Systems
- 2022 worldwide retail sales: $11.90B
- Number of U.S. stores in 2022: 4,734
41. Wegmans Food Market
- 2022 worldwide retail sales: $11.88B
- Number of U.S. stores in 2022: 110
42. Alimentation Couche-Tard
- 2022 worldwide retail sales: $14.30B
- Number of U.S. stores in 2022: 7,019
43. Sherwin-Williams
- 2022 worldwide retail sales: $12.36B
- Number of U.S. stores in 2022: 4,291
44. Giant Eagle
- 2022 worldwide retail sales: $10.65B
- Number of U.S. stores in 2022: 484
45. Wayfair
- 2022 worldwide retail sales: $12.13B
- Number of U.S. stores in 2022: N/A
46. Ulta Beauty
- 2022 worldwide retail sales: $10.21B
- Number of U.S. stores in 2022: 1,355
47. Chewy.com
- 2022 worldwide retail sales: $10.10B
- Number of U.S. stores in 2022: N/A
48. WinCo Foods
- 2022 worldwide retail sales: $9.85B
- Number of U.S. stores in 2022: 136
49. Qurate Retail
- 2022 worldwide retail sales: $11.80B
- Number of U.S. stores in 2022: N/A
50. Good Neighbor Pharmacy
- 2022 worldwide retail sales: $8.84B
- Number of U.S. stores in 2022: 2,350