Favorite 50

Click on chart to see the full sortable list of STORES Favorite 50.
 
The saying, “The more things change, the more they stay the same” definitely applies to this year’s Favorite 50. The top 12 e-retailers remain unchanged from 2009, as do the services that consumers value most when shopping online.

Now in its fourth year, the STORES Favorite 50 is based on the perceptions of retailers’ harshest and most important critic — the consumer. In June, BIGresearch collected responses from 8,486 consumers, who provided their top two preferred online merchants. The overall results represent consumer “preference share” – and, as in the past, include entities that don’t meet the traditional definitions of a retailer.

Still very much influenced by price, consumers also want to shop with a retailer that can provide ideal stock levels, easy navigation – both in physical stores and online – and have access to knowledgeable sales associates. Inexpensive or free shipping will boost a shopper’s loyalty level, as will a simple-yet-flexible returns policy.