First timer H&M joins 'Hot 100' US retailers at eight spot

"This year's Hot 100 features a series of retailers selling broad based solutions that resonate emotionally with shoppers," said Kantar Retail Chief Knowledge Officer Bryan Gildenberg. "Either through specialized expertise in stores like lululemon and Under Armour or by ease of access to a wide variety of products like Amazon, retailers are going beyond function to a more emotional connection as the key to rapid growth."

10 Companies Demonstrate “Sustained Sizzle”

Smart merchandising, stellar customer service, expansion efforts and a cornering of a niche market have helped 10 retail companies maintain a place on the Hot 100 list each of the past eight years.

Companies that have managed to stay hot include (rank based on average annual growth):

- Amazon.com (7)
- Ascena Retail Group (70)
- O’Reilly Automotive (81)
- Urban Outfitters (28)
- J.Crew (11)
- Tractor Supply Co. (46)
- Dick’s Sporting Goods (32)
- Dollar Tree (37)
- Ross Stores (27)
- PetSmart (41)

About the Survey

The Hot 100 Retailers list is the definitive annual ranking of the fastest-growing retail chains in the United States. Rankings are determined by increases in year-over-year domestic sales between 2011 and 2012. The STORES Hot 100 list was sponsored by Google Enterprise, Island Pacific and Kiva Systems LLC.

Kantar Retail is the world's leading retail insights and consulting business. The company works with leading retailers and branded manufacturers to transform the purchase behavior of consumers, shoppers and retailers. Kantar Retail has over 400 employees and offices in 15 markets around the globe. The company is headquartered in London and is part of the Kantar Group of WPP.

STORES Media is the publishing group of the National Retail Federation, the world’s largest retail trade association. STORES Media offerings include STORES magazine (print, digital and mobile versions), STORES.org, STORES Knowledge Series and STORES Weekly.

STORES products report on the broad spectrum of strategic issues facing senior retail executives, including: retail technology, supply chain and logistics, credit and payment systems, loss prevention, human resources, omni-channel retailing, communications, marketing, merchandising and other vital store operations.

National Retail Federation