When it comes to staying on top of the competition, retailers know all too well how important it is to have that something special that makes their customers come back again, and again. That special something can come in the form of new technology or even testing its own food products before it hits the shelves to ensure safety.
Fast Company magazine recently released a list of “The World’s Most Innovative Companies” and it should come as no surprise to anyone that many of the 182 companies are retailers. Innovative concepts in sustainability, technology, fashion, and ingenuity are a few of the reasons these retailers made the top 50 this year.
Among the Top 50, seven retailers are ranked as tops in creativity and innovation.
#2 – Amazon
#3 – Apple
#9 – Wal-Mart
#12 – Netflix
#13 – Nike
#21 – Gilt Groupe
#41 – FAST RETAILING
As a leader in fast fashion, FAST RETAILING was also recently named as NRF’s International Retailer of the Year. CEO Tadashi Yanai accepted the award at NRF’s 99th Annual Convention and EXPO.
Other retailers who were mentioned for their efforts in innovation include:
- Toms Shoes – a socially responsible retail start-up designed to provide free shoes to needy children around the world
- Chipotle – a quick-serve Mexican restaurant whose source of food comes directly from local farmers, a first in the industry
- Hot Topic – a teen retailer that molds music, social networking, pop culture and in-store experience for customers
- Lululemon – a Canadian-based high-end yoga retailer that focuses on the importance of branding by using their own customers
- Best Buy – integrating its own technologies with current ones to provide instant movies through its devices is a first in the electronic retailer category
Congratulations to all the retailers who made this impressive list. Check out all the complete list to see other retailers and restaurants who made the cut, including Target, Costco and McDonald’s.
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