Shop Talk

Check Out retail strategy for growth.

A list of the top 10 companies from a “Hot 100 Retailers list” compiled by Planet Retail for the National Retail Federation showed that while a few companies grew organically, most grew as a result of a merger or acquisition.

Topping the list of companies that grew through a deal was DineEquity,  which bought Applebee’s last year. 

Others in that category include Susser Holdings after its purchase of Town & Country Food Stores and Village Market grocery stores, as well as the combination of fast food chains Wendy’s and Arby’s into Wendy’s/Arby’s.

Of the companies that grew on their own, Los Angeles-based American Apparel was “tops,” with revenue growth of 57.6 percent, the list showed.

Another not-so-surprising name in the top 10 was Apple, known for its iPod, Mac computer and one of the latest favorites in the market — the iPhone. “Still opening new locations, Apple also uses its stores as a way to build brand awareness,” according to the survey.

Some retailers actually managed to maintain growth, averaging a 10.8 percent compound annual growth rate, the list showed.  Those on the growth chart include GameStop, Urban Outfitters, Best Buy and J. Crew to name a few.

The Hot 100 Retailers study is the annual ranking of the fastest-growing publicly traded retail chains, and rankings are decided by increases in year-over-year revenues between 2007 and 2008.

Here’s the list of the top 10 companies in the Hot 100 Retailers List:

1.       DineEquity

2.       American Apparel

3.       Susser Holdings

4.       A&P

5.       Apple Stores/iTunes

6.       Wendy’s/Arby’s Group

7.       O’Reilly Automotive

8.       Finlay Enterprises

9.       The Pantry

10.     Amazon.com

Also in the basket:

Molson Coors profit jumps more than expected

Tyson profit led by chicken, shares higher

Equities too hot for their own good?

(Photo/Reuters)