These 6 retailers prove that in-person shopping isn’t dead

Since the rise of online shopping amid lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic, brick-and-mortar stores have taken a hit. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, internet sales rose from 0.64 percent of overall retail sales in 1999 to 15.9 percent in the first quarter of 2024.

Newsweek recently published its ranking of America’s Best Retailers 2024 to provide readers with insights into which retail brands are still successfully operating in-person shopping locations. More than 700 U.S. retail shoppers were surveyed and 140,000 evaluations were collected to rank the top companies in 40 retail categories.

The survey, conducted in partnership with Statista, found that over 60 percent of respondents still prefer to shop in person.

The companies were evaluated based on the likelihood that a customer would recommend them and on other factors, including the quality, price and variety of products, the quality of customer service and each store’s atmosphere, accessibility and layout. They were then given a score out of 100.

Among the 40 retail categories was clothing. Within clothing, there were 18 subcategories that included discount clothing, department stores, shoes, jewelry and accessories.

The following companies represent the top seven clothing retailers on the ranking, and they prove that in-person shopping is still going strong. The first six companies in this article were also included in the top 10 overall highest scoring companies on the 2024 Best Retailers ranking.

Factory Connection – Discount Clothing

Factory Connection is a family-owned store founded in 1976 by Terry Scott and Kenny Littleton. What started as one store in downtown Guntersville, Alabama, has grown into nearly 300 locations in 17 states primarily in the southeastern U.S.

The company prides itself on providing the latest fashions at “fantastic values” for customers in small towns to shop juniors, men’s, women’s, accessories and home decor. Factory Connection buys from fashion manufacturers to offer name-brand and specialty items at prices discounted from 25 to 70 percent.

The retailer was not featured on last year’s ranking and landed in the top overall spot on this year’s ranking with a score of 95.66.

According to Statista, Factory Connection’s highest scoring factor was customer service—which measures friendliness, helpfulness and the availability of employees in a store.

Brahmin – Purses, Bags

According to its website, Brahmin has been told that it is “the best-kept secret in luxury handbags.” But now, it says, the secret is out.

The New England-based company creates handcrafted products that will “stand the test of time and look the part.”

All of Brahmin’s products are designed in Massachusetts and use leather from Italy and other places around the world.

The company celebrated its fifth anniversary in March, and it prides itself on its deliberate and purposeful designs and high-end craftsmanship that helps customers tell their own story through their accessories.

Brahmin has boutiques in Atlanta; Birmingham, Alabama; Charlotte, North Carolina; Memphis, Tennessee; Raleigh, North Carolina; and Newport, Rhode Island, as well as outlets in Fairhaven, Massachusetts; Orlando, Florida; San Marcos, Texas; and West Palm Beach, Florida.

Brahmin was also ranked No. 1 in purses and bags on the 2022 Best Retailers list but was not included in last year’s ranking. This year, it is back at the top spot in its category with a score of 95.04 out of 100. According to Statista, Brahmin especially excels in customer service.

Cartier – High-End Jewelry

At the top of the luxury jewelry category is Cartier, one of the world’s top destinations for diamonds and other high-end jewelry pieces.

With a score of 92.52, Cartier excelled in the products category, measuring the quality, price, range and variety of products offered in the store. The jeweler increased its overall score, as well as scores in accessibility, customer service, products and shop layout, and moved up a spot from No. 2 in high-end jewelry on the 2023 list.

Since last year’s ranking, Cartier has increased its overall score, its likelihood of receiving recommendations and the dimension score, which includes accessibility, customer service, products and shop layout, according to Statista.

Tommy Bahama – Apparel

Nothing screams summer like Tommy Bahama. The tropical prints evoke a sense of vacation, comfort and relaxation—no matter where you wear their products.

For three decades, Tommy Bahama’s bold patterns and colors have transported customers to their own personal oases.

“At Tommy Bahama, we want to take the guest someplace great,” Chrisann Furciato, the executive vice president of retail, e-commerce and licensing at Tommy Bahama, told Newsweek in an emailed statement. “The experience you have when you walk into our stores is so important to us—we feel as if we are inviting you into our home. As a brand, we aim to inspire you to relax and exhale, and our stores reflect that in their unique ability to transport you to a calming, relaxed place.”

Tommy Bahama has over 160 stores worldwide, with nearly two dozen offering a Tommy Bahama Restaurant or a Tommy Bahama Marlin Bar.

According to Statista, customer service was a top-scoring category for Tommy Bahama. At the company, Furciato said the top priorities are guest experiences and authentic hospitality.

That starts with the atmosphere inside the stores. While many stores look like “big white boxes,” Furciato said Tommy Bahama has crafted a “calming environment” that showcases an interior that is “designed with vacation in mind to transport you to your favorite destination,” including “soothing colors, warm textures and finishes, natural lighting [and] plants.”

Tommy Bahama’s overall score improved since last year, earning a 92.48 to land it as the top apparel company on the list. Its scores for atmosphere, shop layout and customer service all improved from the 2023 list, where it landed in the No. 2 spot in the apparel category

“The experience in our store is casual and relaxed, from first greeting to the fitting room,” Furciato said in her email. “The retail floor is laid out to be inviting and engaging, allowing for moments to pause and linger over the product, and seating areas that allow you to rest and recharge.”

Shane Co. – Jewelry

Four generations at Shane Co. have worked to help customers celebrate their biggest moments in life through elegant jewelry. Shane Co. was not featured on either the 2022 or the 2023 list, but this year, it made the top spot in the category and in the overall top ten with a score of 92.20.

Chief Marketing Officer Kristen Vosburg told Newsweek that Shane Co. “has always done things differently.” She said the customer-centric approach to the business has remained a priority since the company’s founding.

“We consider ourselves a ‘Goldilocks brand,'” she said in an emailed statement. “We’re big enough to have a strong inventory position and best value proposition, yet small enough to be agile and adapt to our customers’ needs.”

With 22 store locations in Arizona, Georgia, Missouri, California, Oregon, Indiana, Tennessee, Kansas, Utah, Kentucky, Washington, Colorado and Minnesota, as well as a a stocked website, Shane Co. offers a variety of collections and in-store and virtual consultations.

Their design team uses a variety of gemstones from partners around the world to create one-of-a-kind pieces for customers.

“We go above and beyond for each customer and to treat them like the friend we promise to be through our long-standing brand heritage grounded in exceptional service, handcrafted quality, unique and personal designs, and a deep passion for gemstones,” Vosburg said. “We stay true to our identity as the warmer, friendlier jeweler who will be there for life.”

Vosburg said the staff at Shane Co. meets customers where they are and creates a safe and enjoyable place to buy jewelry.

According to Statista, the retailer earned its highest marks in shop layout, which measures the order that the products are displayed, aisle size, product presentation, mannequins and store size.

“We aim to ensure they enjoy their visit and feel welcome to return for their next jewelry purchase because jewelry is not just for big moments; it is a personal and meaningful part of their wardrobe that helps them feel confident,” Vosburg said, “whether they are heading out for a normal day or a big celebration. It serves as a reminder of what matters most to them.”

BoxLunch – Fashion Accessories

No matter what fandom you belong to, BoxLunch probably has a product for you.

BoxLunch is a one-stop shop for clothing, toys, bags, accessories and collectibles for the whole family, featuring some of the world’s most beloved franchises.

The inventory includes various licensed and unlicensed merchandise from Harry Potter, Star Wars, Peanuts and various Nickelodeon and Disney series.

Rick Vargas, the senior vice president of merchandising and marketing at BoxLunch, said the company believes in more than just selling products, it curates experiences that resonate with customers.

“By blending our unique merchandise with a commitment to giving back, we create a shopping journey that satisfies and enriches,” Vargas told Newsweek in an emailed statement. “Our dedication to exceptional service ensures every customer feels valued and empowered. We understand that a positive experience isn’t just about transactions—it’s about fostering connections and making a difference in our community. This belief continues to drive us to redefine success in retail.”

Since 2025, BoxLunch has also supported Feeding America, surpassing 200 million meals donated in 2024.

Last year, BoxLunch was the third-best retailer in the fashion accessories category but has jumped to the No. 1 spot with a score of 92.17. That leap was boosted by improved scores in overall rating and likelihood to recommend, and in scores for accessibility, atmosphere, products and shop layout, according to Statista.

According to Statista, the retailer’s highest scoring factor was atmosphere, which measures the general environment, lighting, music and cleanliness of the store.

Von Maur – Department Store

Like many of America’s major department stores, Von Maur can trace its history back to the late 1800s.

Founded by the Von Maur family in Davenport, Iowa, the store has grown to feature nearly 40 locations in 15 states.

“Take care of them, and your business will flourish—as a private family-owned business, this formula has been the hallmark of our success for over 152 years,” Melody Wright, Von Maur’s chief operating officer, told Newsweek in an emailed statement.

The retailer earned the same overall score as it did on the 2023 ranking to remain at the top spot for department stores: 91.88. This year, Von Maur increased its score in areas including customer service, products and shop layout and scored the highest on atmosphere, according to Statista.

“Von Maur’s exceptional service and unique selection of merchandise are what set us apart in today’s competitive retail landscape,” Wright said. “Whether it be through attentive service, an interest-free charge card, or a wide array of brands, our decisions are rooted in doing what’s best for the customer.”

Looking ahead, Wright said Von Maur is investing more than $100 million in store locations over the next five years, which she said is a tribute to “the importance of offering an exciting environment and continuing to evolve with the customer.”

“If you listen to the customer, they will tell you exactly what they want,” Wright said, “and no one is better at listening than Von Maur.”