Wal-Mart retains spot as top U.S. retailer

Bentonville-based Wal-Mart Stores Inc. retains its spot as the nation’s largest retailer according to STORES magazine, a publication of the National Retail Federation.

STORES’ Top 100 Retailers list is based on filings with the federal Securities & Exchange Commission, public pronouncements by the companies and estimates from Planet Retail.

“The economy hasn’t been a losing proposition for everyone, and retailers who have made it through this recession will be well positioned to grow in the future,” Susan Reda, executive editor of STORES Magazine, said in a statement ”As retailers shift their primary focus this year from expansion to core operations, companies who stay in tune with their customers will reap long-term rewards.”

The STORES report said Wal-Mart has improved its retail strategy with the relaunch of its Great Value private label line of goods.

But the ability of Wal-Mart to capture market share during the national recession has not translated into gains for the company’s share price. The Wal-Mart share price (NYSE: WMT) closed June 30 at $48.44, down more than 15% from its Jan. 2 close of $57.18.

The top 10 U.S. retailers, according to the STORES report, was:
1. Wal-Mart
2. Kroger
3. Costco
4. Home Depot
5. Target
6. Walgreen
7. CVS Caremark
8. Lowe’s
9. Sears Holdings
10. Best Buy

“Rounding out the top ten is Best Buy, which benefitted from sales of new iPhones and game stations like Wii and Playstation that remained popular investments for those making discretionary purchases,” according to the STORES report.