Who says retail is dead? Although the pandemic undeniably cut into traditional store-based sales, many chains continue to thrive, propelled by the easing of COVID-19 restrictions and an opening economy.
It’s not surprising that shoppers are returning to stores. Online shopping is fine, but now that it’s becoming possible again, people are anxious to finally get out of the house — and shopping is a tactile experience. Buyers like to touch and see products up close before buying.
24/7 Wall St. has drawn on data collected by the international research and analytics firm YouGov to learn which retail chains and consumer brands are the most popular with the public today, now that the country is returning to some semblance of normality. The resulting list includes everything from familiar brands whose goods are available at numerous outlets, like Huggies for diapers and Keurig for coffee machines, to mega-stores specializing in everything from books (Barnes & Noble) to electronics (Best Buy). (These are the 50 most valuable brands in the world.)
Of course, some companies have had to adjust with the times. For some on this list, such as Office Depot and Bed Bath and Beyond, closing stores in 2020 was one way to survive and maintain profitability. Fortunately for them, their popularity doesn’t seem to have suffered. (See These 20 Retailers Closed the Most Stores Last Year.)
Click here to see America’s favorite brands and stores in 2021.
Source: Mike Windle / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images
25. Huggies
> % of adults with a positive opinion: 57.0%
> No. of US stores: N/A
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Source: Scott Olson / Getty Images News via Getty Images
24. Harley-Davidson
> % of adults with a positive opinion: 59.0%
> No. of US stores: 699
Source: Sergi Alexander / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images
23. Keurig
> % of adults with a positive opinion: 59.0%
> No. of US stores: N/A
Source: Warren Little / Getty Images News via Getty Images
22. IKEA
> % of adults with a positive opinion: 59.0%
> No. of US stores: 52
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Source: Courtesy of Sealy Mattress
21. Sealy
> % of adults with a positive opinion: 60.0%
> No. of US stores: 25
Source: Raysonho / Wikimedia Commons
20. Toys “R” Us
> % of adults with a positive opinion: 62.0%
> No. of US stores: 800
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19. La-Z-Boy
> % of adults with a positive opinion: 62.0%
> No. of US stores: 340
24/7 Wall St.
18. Staples
> % of adults with a positive opinion: 62.0%
> No. of US stores: 1,067
Source: Bruce Bennett / Getty Images News via Getty Images
17. Bed Bath and Beyond
> % of adults with a positive opinion: 63.0%
> No. of US stores: 1,024
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Source: sshepard / Getty Images
16. Office Depot
> % of adults with a positive opinion: 63.0%
> No. of US stores: 1,153
Source: Tim Boyle / Getty Images News via Getty Images
15. Petsmart
> % of adults with a positive opinion: 63.0%
> No. of US stores: 1,650
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Source: Stephen Chernin / Getty Images News via Getty Images
14. Hallmark
> % of adults with a positive opinion: 64.0%
> No. of US stores: 2,000
Source: Leon Neal / Getty Images News via Getty Images
13. The LEGO Store
> % of adults with a positive opinion: 64.0%
> No. of US stores: 96
Source: Lya_Cattel / Getty Images
12. CVS
> % of adults with a positive opinion: 65.0%
> No. of US stores: 9,967
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11. Petco
> % of adults with a positive opinion: 65.0%
> No. of US stores: 1,500
Source: David McNew / Getty Images News via Getty Images
10. Mattel
> % of adults with a positive opinion: 65.0%
> No. of US stores: 2
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Source: Courtesy of Costco
9. Coleman
> % of adults with a positive opinion: 68.0%
> No. of US stores: 10
Source: patty_c / Getty Images
8. Walgreens
> % of adults with a positive opinion: 69.0%
> No. of US stores: 9,277
Source: Justin Sullivan / Getty Images News via Getty Images
7. Best Buy
> % of adults with a positive opinion: 70.0%
> No. of US stores: 956
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Source: CTRPhotos / Getty Images
6. Hot Wheels
> % of adults with a positive opinion: 71.0%
> No. of US stores: N/A
Source: Lokibaho / Getty Images
5. Home Depot
> % of adults with a positive opinion: 72.0%
> No. of US stores: 2,296
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Source: Drew Angerer / Getty Images News via Getty Images
4. Barnes & Noble
> % of adults with a positive opinion: 72.0%
> No. of US stores: 627
Source: Spencer Platt / Getty Images News via Getty Images
3. Ace Hardware
> % of adults with a positive opinion: 73.0%
> No. of US stores: 4,192
Source: ivanastar / Getty Images
2. Lowe’s
> % of adults with a positive opinion: 76.0%
> No. of US stores: 1,727
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Source: Justin Sullivan / Getty Images News via Getty Images
1. Fisher-Price
> % of adults with a positive opinion: 76.0%
> No. of US stores: N/A
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