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7 top department store stocks to buy in 2024

Ready to invest in the retail industry? Learn how to invest in department store stocks in just a few steps.

The best department store stocks depend on your portfolio and investment goals — while volatility can be ideal for day traders, long-term investors will want to look to stocks with steadier gains over time.

The top retail stocks included on this page all trade on the S&P 500, have an analyst recommendation of "Buy" or better and are sorted by year-to-date performance.

  1. Kohls (KSS)
  2. Dillards (DDS)
  3. Macy’s (M)
  4. Nordstrom (JWN)
  5. Walmart (WMT)
  6. Burlington Stores (BURL)
  7. Target Corporation (TGT)

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How to invest in department store stocks

  1. Choose an online stock trading platform. Choose from our Top Picks above, use our comparison table below or jump straight to the best stock trading apps of 2024.
  2. Sign up for an account. Provide your personal information and sign up.
  3. Set up a funding method to pay for the transaction. Deposit funds into your account by linking your banking information.
  4. Choose the stocks you want to buy. Search for the stock by name or ticker symbol like KSS or DDS.
  5. Place your order. Buy the stock. It's that simple.

Take a deeper dive into department store stocks

If you're interested in investing in the retail industry, take a closer look at what companies in this industry do and how the stocks have historically performed. Keep in mind that positive past performance doesn't guarantee that a stock will continue to rise in the future.

1. Kohls (KSS)

Kohl's Corporation operates as an omnichannel retailer in the United States. It offers branded apparel, footwear, accessories, beauty, and home products through its stores and website. The company provides its products primarily under the brand names of Croft & Barrow, Jumping Beans, SO, Sonoma Goods for Life, and Tek Gear, as well as Food Network, LC Lauren Conrad, Nine West, and Simply Vera Vera Wang.

Kohls stock opened the day at $20.39 after a previous close of $20.53. The latest price was $20.11 (25-minute delay). Kohls is listed on the NYSE, has a trailing 12-month revenue of around USD17.3 billion and employs 96,000 staff.

  • Market capitalization: $2,338,662,144
  • P/E ratio: 8.4798
  • PEG ratio: 0.7129

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2. Dillards (DDS)

Dillard's, Inc. operates retail department stores in the southeastern, southwestern, and midwestern areas of the United States. The company's stores offer merchandise, including fashion apparel for women, men, and children; and accessories, cosmetics, home furnishings, and other consumer goods.

Dillards stock opened the day at $408.76 after a previous close of $412.06. The latest price was $408.39 (25-minute delay). Dillards is listed on the NYSE and has a trailing 12-month revenue of around USD$6.8 billion.

  • Market capitalization: $6,407,766,016
  • P/E ratio: 8.977
  • PEG ratio: -1.28

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3. Macy’s (M)

Macy's, Inc. , an omni-channel retail organization, operates stores, websites, and mobile applications in the United States. The company sells a range of merchandise, such as apparel and accessories for men, women, and kids; cosmetics; home furnishings; and other consumer goods under the Macy's, Bloomingdale's, and bluemercury brands.

Macy’s stock opened the day at $16.67 after a previous close of $16.81. The latest price was $16.41 (25-minute delay). Macy’s is listed on the NYSE, has a trailing 12-month revenue of around USD$23.7 billion and employs 85,581 staff.

  • Market capitalization: $4,546,961,408
  • P/E ratio: 548.3334
  • PEG ratio: 0.9128

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4. Nordstrom (JWN)

Nordstrom, Inc. , a fashion retailer, provides apparels, shoes, beauty, accessories, and home goods for women, men, young adults, and children. It offers a range of brand-name and private-label merchandise through various channels, such as Nordstrom branded stores and online at Nordstrom.

Nordstrom stock opened the day at $21.56 after a previous close of $21.82. The latest price was $20.81 (25-minute delay). Nordstrom is listed on the NYSE, has a trailing 12-month revenue of around USD$14.8 billion and employs 54,000 staff.

  • Market capitalization: $3,709,922,560
  • P/E ratio: 12.2541
  • PEG ratio: 0.2713

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5. Walmart (WMT)

Walmart Inc. engages in the operation of retail, wholesale, other units, and eCommerce worldwide. The company operates through three segments: Walmart U. S.

Walmart stock opened the day at $70.55 after a previous close of $70.65. The latest price was $70.61 (25-minute delay). Walmart is listed on the NYSE, has a trailing 12-month revenue of around USD$657.3 billion and employs 2,100,000 staff.

  • Market capitalization: $569,080,479,744
  • P/E ratio: 30.3648
  • PEG ratio: 2.4381

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6. Burlington Stores (BURL)

Burlington Stores, Inc. operates as a retailer of branded merchandise in the United States. The company provides fashion-focused merchandise, including women's ready-to-wear apparel, menswear, youth apparel, footwear, accessories, toys, gifts, and coats, as well as baby, home, and beauty products.

Burlington Stores stock opened the day at $250.52 after a previous close of $255.01. The latest price was $249.66 (25-minute delay). Burlington Stores is listed on the NYSE, has a trailing 12-month revenue of around USD$9.9 billion and employs 17,052 staff.

  • Market capitalization: $15,618,222,080
  • P/E ratio: 41.1261
  • PEG ratio: 2.9852

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7. Target Corporation (TGT)

Target Corporation operates as a general merchandise retailer in the United States. The company offers apparel for women, men, boys, girls, toddlers, and infants and newborns, as well as jewelry, accessories, and shoes; and beauty and personal care, baby gear, cleaning, paper products, and pet supplies. It also provides dry grocery, dairy, frozen food, beverages, candy, snacks, deli, bakery, meat, and food service; electronics, which includes video game hardware and software, toys, entertainment, sporting goods, and luggage; and furniture, lighting, storage, kitchenware, small appliances, home decor, bed and bath, home improvement, school/office supplies, greeting cards and party supplies, and other seasonal merchandise.

Target Corporation stock opened the day at $150.29 after a previous close of $150.27. The latest price was $146.73 (25-minute delay). Target Corporation is listed on the NYSE, has a trailing 12-month revenue of around USD$106.6 billion and employs 415,000 staff.

  • Market capitalization: $70,362,456,064
  • P/E ratio: 17.0696
  • PEG ratio: 2.5616

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Bottom line

While it’s possible to turn a profit investing in department store stocks, keep in mind that — like any investment — department store stocks are not immune to risk. These stocks are subject to fluctuating conditions — both in the market and in the retail industry, so carefully vet your picks before you invest. And if you’re new to investing, or if it’s been awhile since you’ve taken a critical look at your investing accounts, compare brokers to make sure you’re getting the best features in your trading account.

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