The RetailX US500 2025 report is the first edition assessing the performance of the top 500 ecommerce and multichannel retailers, brands, and marketplaces operating in the US market. It also lists the subsequent “Challenger 500”. The research aims to provide insights into the US retail landscape, consumer behaviour, and the strategies employed by leading retailers to navigate economic uncertainties and meet evolving customer expectations.
Inside the report
- Navigating Economic Uncertainty: The report highlights that the US retail market in mid-2025 is operating under “mounting economic uncertainty,” particularly since Donald Trump’s return to the White House in January 2025. This includes rapidly changing policies on tariffs and potential public worker redundancies impacting purchasing power.
- Persistent Shopper Preferences: Despite economic challenges, the report emphasises that “the retail basics of how shoppers prefer to buy remain unchanged”.
- Omnichannel Performance: A central theme of the report is the assessment of “multichannel strategies” and “omnichannel strategies” through the lens of the Customer, Product, Operations, and Capital Value Chains. We explore how leading retailers are those that are enabling shoppers to “buy however, wherever and whenever they want.”
- Performance Improvement: RetailX research indicates a marked improvement in performance across most areas for the US500 retailers in successive years.
- Sustainability in Retail: The report notes a gap between shopper expectations regarding ecological sustainability and the current “relatively muted” retail response. Inside we assess how the adoption of practices like sustainability reports, progress updates, and repair schemes by US500 retailers is still relatively low.
- Mobile App Usage: Mobile apps are highlighted as adding value by providing easy access to products. Our ConsumerX data suggests a significant portion of US shoppers frequently use smartphones for online purchases.
- Recommendation Strategies: We discuss the extent US500 retailers widely employ product recommendation strategies to enhance the customer experience and boost sales.
- The US500 Ranking : We list the best retailers operating in the USA, categorised into performance clusters: Elite, Leading, Top50, Top100, Top150, Top250, Top350, and Top500.
- Challenger 500: This list comprises the 500 retailers, brands, and marketplaces that follow the Top500, ranked by size based on RetailX Footprint research. Notable Challengers include Fast Growing Trees and The Crunchyroll Store (profiled inside).
- Amazon (Elite): Focuses on speed, low prices, AI, and its Prime service. One of the largest private employers in the US.
- Lowe’s (Elite): Focuses on best-in-class omnichannel experience, AI/AR technology, and a loyalty scheme. Reported a decrease in net sales and pre-tax earnings in FY 2024.
- Home Depot (Leading): Emphasises knowledgeable in-store advice combined with AI tools for online customers and personalised recommendations.
- Kroger (Leading): Focused on omnichannel sales and leveraging data science from its loyalty program (over 95% of transactions) for personalised experiences and alternative profit businesses.
- Target (Leading): Investing in customer experience across channels using AI, plans significant growth in marketplace sales (targeting over $5bn by 2030), and doubling its in-house media company (Roundel).
- eBay (Top50): Investing in customer experience and leaning into sustainability credentials by enabling the sale of previously-owned products. Achieved 100% renewable energy for operations and targets net zero by 2045.
- Kohl’s (Top50): Focused on an omnichannel approach with a strong loyalty program (half of customers are members) offering personalised experiences, deals, and local availability.
