Mike Kramer, Peoria Journal Star
·4 min read
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
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
Peoria shopping: At its height, Downtown Peoria was a commercial powerhouse
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
