WASHINGTON — Strategic acquisitions and continued U.S. expansion helped propel several companies onto the National Retail Federation’s 2025 Hot 25 Retailers list, released this week in collaboration with Kantar. The annual ranking, which highlights the fastest-growing retailers in the country by year-over-year domestic sales growth, was led this year by JD Sports following its transformative acquisition of Hibbett.
The U.K.-based athleticwear retailer achieved 41.5% domestic sales growth between 2023 and 2024 after acquiring nearly 1,200 Hibbett, City Gear and Sports Addition stores across 36 states. The move solidified JD Sports’ foothold in the competitive U.S. athletic apparel and footwear market, earning it the No. 1 spot on this year’s list.
“The 2025 Hot 25 list represents a range of retailers that have experienced impressive growth over the span of a year,” said NRF Chief Economist and Executive Director of Research Mark Mathews. “Acquisitions and expansions led to sales growth for many of this year’s retailers, while several international businesses on the list continued to increase their presence in the United States.”
International Retailers Continue U.S. Expansion
Global brands made a strong showing among the top five. Primark, the Irish fashion retailer known for value pricing, rose to No. 2 with 30% growth as it continues to roll out new U.S. stores and deepen market penetration. Fast Retailing, the Japanese parent company of Uniqlo, held the No. 3 spot for the second year in a row with 27.7% sales growth.
Shell debuted on the list at No. 4, following a string of U.S. convenience store acquisitions in 2024. The energy giant purchased Timewise stores from Landmark Industries and the Brewer retail network from Brewer Oil Co., resulting in 26.8% sales growth in the U.S. retail fuel and convenience sector.
Abercrombie & Fitch rounded out the top five with a 15.2% increase in domestic sales. The apparel retailer has benefited from strong brand revitalization efforts and a more inclusive marketing strategy, helping it climb two spots from last year’s ranking.
Amazon Returns to the List
Amazon re-entered the Hot 25 for the first time since 2021, landing at No. 11 with 9.4% sales growth. The company’s continued expansion into physical retail, alongside momentum in its third-party marketplace and grocery channels, contributed to its resurgence. Growth in Amazon’s brick-and-mortar formats — including Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods — reflects the company’s ongoing investment in omnichannel strategy.
“This year’s Hot 25 list is composed of a mix of new and returning retailers that have grown by adapting to the needs of their customers and enhancing the overall shopping experience,” said David Marcotte, Kantar’s senior vice president of global retail and technology. “Successful retailers will need to continue to invest in in-store technology, offer greater convenience and provide employee management trainings.”
Retail Formats Diversify
The 2025 list includes retailers from a wide array of formats and sectors — from fashion and footwear to fuel and food. Several retailers used acquisitions to accelerate growth, while others focused on improving in-store experiences and expanding digital capabilities.
The complete NRF 2025 Hot 25 Retailers list is available here.
