Sam’s Club
The Walmart-owned club chain is leveraging the value and experience it provides to create loyal customers, according to Placer.ai. Sam’s Club is also attracting a newer audience that had previously been less apt to take advantage of the unique Sam’s Club benefits.
Visits to Sam’s Club stores increased notably in all but one month of 2024, outpacing the overall retail sector and superstores alike.
Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers
The fan-favorite chicken fingers chain’s rise is driven by a streamlined menu that enhances speed and efficiency, innovative marketing campaigns, and strategic site selection in both new and existing markets. According to Placer.ai, each Cane’s restaurant averaged around $6 million in sales last year.
Cane’s has grown from 460 locations at the end of 2019 to more than 830 heading into 2025. Placer.ai said the quick-serve chain is well positioned to succeed in the new year.
Life Time
Life Time Fitness has captured a dedicated membership base who go to the chain for offerings like yoga, childcare, personalized fitness programs, and even an option for luxury living just steps away. In 2024, 80.4% of Life Time’s customers were located in suburban areas, and 46.6% of its members visited a club at least four times per week.
Placer.ai says the chain’s offerings make it stand out from other gym chains.
Barnes & Noble
With a presence in every single state and approximately 600 stores, Barnes & Noble is more than a place where people come to buy books, with visitors often coming in to work and grab a coffee. Customers are lingering at their local stores, with nearly three-in-10 visitors staying 45 minutes or longer.
With options for a “third place” that’s not home or work dwindling, Placer.ai says Barnes & Noble is poised to fill that void and have a strong 2025.
H Mart
Asian grocer H Mart operates over 80 stores throughout the United States, attracting shoppers traditional Korean, Chinese, and Japanese groceries, as well as prepared foods.
H Mart’s success is based on its appeal to a wide base of customers. Placer.ai data found that at the second-most visited H Mart in the nation in Carrollton, Texas, the ethnic makeup of customers is 39% White, 14% Black, 23% Hispanic or Latino, and 20% Asian.
Bluemercury
Finally, Macy’s subsidiary Bluemercury is expected to have a strong year in 2025. Placer.ai says Bluemercury’s success lies in its ability to be a retailer, an expert, and a spa service provider to its consumers.
Data has shown that beauty chains with a service and retail component tend to attract more visitors than those who just specialize in retail offerings, and Bluemercury is no exception. The chain also focuses solely on the prestige market within the beauty industry and caters to higher income households.
“Sprouts’ focus on quality products and small-format stores, Cava’s rise as a suburban dining powerhouse, and Nordstrom’s commitment to customer experience all highlight how understanding and responding to consumer needs can drive success,” said Placer.ai. “Brands like Ashley Furniture, Sam’s Club, H Mart, and Life Time have shown how offering a unique value proposition within a crowded segment, leveraging loyalty, and creating memorable experiences can fuel growth. And Raising Cane’s demonstrates the power of simplicity and operational efficiency in building momentum.”