NRF: Global sportswear giant heads list of 25 fastest-growing retailers in the U.S.
A U.K.-based company ranks as the fastest-growing retailer in the U.S. following its acquisition of Alabama-based Hibbett in 2024.
J.D Sports tops the National Retail Federation’s “2025 Hot 25 Retailers” list compiled by Kantar. The annual study ranks the fastest-growing retailers in the U.S. based on increases in domestic sales between 2023 and 2024.
JD Sports achieved 41.5% domestic sales growth after adding nearly 1,200 Hibbett, City Gear and Sports Addition stores across 36 states in a deal valued at approximately $1.1 billion. (List of all 25 retailers at end of article.)
Rounding out the top five are Primark at No. 2 with 30% sales growth, followed by Uniqlo parent Fast Retailing (27.7%), Shell (26.8%) and Abercrombie & Fitch (15.2%). Primark and Abercrombie & Fitch both jumped two spots on this year’s list, while Fast Retailing remained at No. 3 for the second year in a row.
“The 2025 Hot 25 list represents a range of retailers that have experienced impressive growth over the span of a year,” NRF chief economist and executive director of research Mark Mathews said. “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.”
Amazon returns to the list for the first time since 2021, coming in at No. 11 with 9.4% sales growth between 2023 and 2024. Amazon’s various efforts across physical sales, marketplace services and its growing retail footprint across Amazon stores and Whole Foods earned the company a spot on the list.
“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 Kantar senior VP of global retail and technology David Marcotte. “Successful retailers will need to continue to invest in in-store technology, offer greater convenience and provide employee management trainings.”
Newcomers to the list in 2025 include Shell (No. 4), Sprouts (No. 8), QuikTrip (No. 9), Muji (No. 14), H Mart (No. 16), ampm (No. 17), 99 Ranch Market (No. 20), Wawa (No. 23), Festival Foods (No. 24) and CVS (No. 25).
Below is the 2025 Hot 25 Retailers list.
- JD Sports
- Primark
- Fast Retailing
- Shell
- Abercrombie & Fitch
- Superior Grocers
- Aldi
- Sprouts
- Quik Trip
- Grocery Outlet
- Amazon.com
- Burlington
- Daiso Sangyo
- Muji
- Five Below
- H Mart
- ampm
- Total Wine and More
- Harbor Freight Tools
- 99 Ranch Market
- Ollie’s Bargain Outlet
- Sephora (LVMH)
- WaWa
- Festival Foods
- CVS
To learn more about the 2025 Hot 25 Retailers, click here.
