NRF releases list of Top 100 Specialty Retailers

After a year of consolidations and mergers among department, drug and grocery stores, specialty stores are gaining a wider market share, making them a force in retailing, according to the 2005 Top 100 Specialty Retailers ranking by the National Retail Federation. The report ranks companies by revenues and groups them on one chart regardless of the merchandise categories in which they operate.

"With so many choices, people are able to be selective about where they spend their money," said Rick Gallagher, NRF vice president. "Specialty stores are attracting a large number of customers because they are able to provide the consumer with deep product assortments, experienced sales staff and high customer service levels."

Home furnishings stores that made the list include Big Lots (#15), Williams Sonoma (#23), Linens N Things (#25), Berkshire Hathaway Retail (#27, includes Jordan's Furniture, R.C. Wiley and Star Furniture), Pier 1 Imports (#37), TJX Specialty (#41, includes HomeGoods, TJ Maxx and Marshall's), Ikea (#52), Stein Mart (#53), Hobby Lobby (#60), Crate & Barrel (#73), Cost Plus (#74), Tuesday Morning (#75) and Havertys Furniture (#82).

Best Buy topped the chart with 2004 sales of $27.4 billion.