Market Overview: US Discount Stores, Mass Merchandisers and Warehouse Clubs—Digital Sales Soar and Discounters Continue To Expand

What's Inside

In this Market Overview, we explore the US discount store, mass merchant and warehouse club sectors and the market’s future outlook. We consider the competitive landscape and the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on market growth and online sales. We also discuss the following key themes:

• Expanding retail footprints among US warehouse clubs looking to strengthen their store presence—including discussion of regional distribution
• Apparel resale—including Walmart’s new strategic partnership with online resale platform ThredUP
• Omnichannel initiatives—digital shopping strategies adopted by discounters to thrive in a post-crisis future and meet changing consumer shopping demands

This report includes highlights from selected discount stores including Big Lots, Dollar General, Dollar Tree (including Family Dollar) and Five Below, as well as mass merchants Target and Walmart, and warehouse clubs BJ’s Wholesale Club, Costco and Sam’s Club. In addition, it presents two technology innovators in the market—Boxed and Thrive Market.

Also in this series are our Market Overviews for the apparel, luxury, e-commerce and US grocery retail markets.