What are the top retail chains in America? These 12 from around Peoria made the list (2024)

Some of Peoria's chain retail stories recently were named tops in the nation, according to a national survey.

For the third year, Newsweek teamed with data platform Statista to release a ranking of America’s Best Retailers, some of the top-ranked businesses have stores in the Peoria area. Among the 40 retailers who placed first in their respective categories, 12 have brick-and-mortar locations in the greater Peoria area.

Here is a look at each, listed in alphabetical order:

Bath and Body Works

The largest bath shop chain in the United States, Bath and Body Works is the top-ranked perfume and cosmetics retailer, according to the survey. The chain has two stores in Peoria: in the Northwoods Mall at 4501 War Memorial Drive, and in Willow Knolls Court at 4100 W. Willow Knolls Drive.

Barnes and Noble

The survey's top bookstore chain offers area consumers one Peoria location at 5001 N. Big Hollow Road.

Bass Pro Shops

This outdoor retail chain’s lone area location is 1000 Bass Pro Shops Drive, East Peoria. Bass Pro Shops claimed top honors for camping and outdoor gear.

Build-A-Bear Workshop

Known for its interactive stuffed animal creation process, this specialty retail chain was voted the nation’s best toy store. The chain’s area location is in Peoria’s Northwoods Mall.

Carter's

The top-ranked baby and children's clothing retailer has one location in the area, located at 332 West Washington Street in East Peoria.

Clothes Mentor

The No. 1-ranked second-hand clothing store has one location in the area, at Westlake Shopping Center. The address is 2601 W Lake Ave. in Peoria.

Costco

The top-ranked superstore or warehouse club store offers area shoppers one location at 301 W. Washington Street, East Peoria.

Ethan Allen

The survey’s top-rated furniture store in Home Goods has one area location: 5301 W. Landens Way, Peoria.

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Hearing Life

The top-ranked hearing care specialist has two locations in the Peoria area: 100 Hillcrest Dr. in Washington and 5016 N University St., #110 in Peoria.

Kirkland’s Home

The top-ranked home goods and décor retailer, Kirkland’s Home has one Peoria store in the Glen Hollow Shopping Center at 5001 N. Big Hollow Road.

O’Reilly Auto Parts

This auto parts chain played well in the survey, earning recognition as the top automotive supplies retailer. O'Reilly also seems to play in the greater Peoria area. The chain has nine stores in the area, including three in Peoria and one each in Bartonville, Chillicothe, East Peoria, Morton, Pekin and Peoria Heights. O’Reilly area locations are: 1003 W. Garfield Avenue, Bartonville; 107 S. Plaza Drive, Chillicothe; 1303 E. Washington Street, East Peoria; 131 Detroit Avenue, Morton; 401 Margaret Street, Pekin; 1615 Knoxville Avenue, Peoria; 228 N. Western Avenue, Peoria; 3815 N. University Street, Peoria; and 4233 N. Prospect Road, Peoria Heights

Tractor Supply Co.

This agricultural supply chain’s foray into the greater Peoria area market includes an East Peoria store at 900 S. Main Street, and a Pekin location at 3539 Veterans Drive. Tractor Supply Co. is the nation’s best home improvement retailer, according to Newsweek and Statista’s findings.

Full list of the top retailers, according to Newsweek, listed with category:

Clothing

• Apparel: Tommy Bahama

• Athletic apparel: Nike

• Baby/children’s clothing: Carter's

• Bridal fashion: Bella Bridesmaids

• Department store clothing: Von Maur

• Discount clothing: Factory Connection

• Fashion accessories: BoxLunch

• Footwear retailer (multi-brand): Boot Barn

• Footwear retailer (single brand): Golden Goose

  See Also

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• Jewelry: Shane Co.

• Jewelry (high-end): Cartier

• Lingerie and underwear: Adam & Eve

• Luxury fashion and accessories: Dior

• Outdoor apparel: Carhartt

• Premium apparel: Ralph Lauren

• Purses/bags: Brahmin

• Second-hand clothing and products: Clothes Mentor

• Women’s apparel: Altar'd State

Food, Health and Beauty

• Chocolate and candy stores: Lindt

• Convenience stories: Buc-ee's

• Discount supermarkets: Trader Joe's

• Eyewear: Warby Parker

• Hearing care: Hearing Life

• Perfume and cosmetics: Bath and Body Works

• Pharmacies and drugstores: Giant Eagle Pharmacy

• Supermarkets: Great Wall Supermarket

• Superstores and warehouse club stores: Costco

Home Goods

• Arts and crafts: Jerry's Artaram

• Auto supplies: O’Reilly Auto Parts

• Bookstores: Barnes & Noble

• Camping and outdoor gear: Bass Pro Shops

• Discount home goods: Homesense

• Electronics: Apple Store

• Furniture: Nebraska Furniture Mart

• Home good and decor: Kirkland's Home

• Home improvement store: Tractor Supply Co.

• Pet care: Pet Depot

• Furniture: Ethan Allen

• Sporting goods/equipment: Scheels

• Toys: Build-A-Bear Workshop

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How did Newsweek pick America’s Best Retailers?

Newsweek and Statista surveyed more than 7,000 consumers nationwide for their opinions on retailers across 40 categories. The independent survey focused on "consumer perspective with more than 140,000 evaluations collected during a two-month period," according to Newsweek.

Consumers were asked about the likelihood of recommending a retailer and asked to assess things like "product quality, pricing, product range, staff helpfulness, convenience, parking access, cleanliness and more," said Newsweek.

Newsweek and Statista then selected the 200 best retail establishments in the United States, broken down into 40 categories.

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: What are the top retail stores in America? Stores from around Peoria made Newsweek list