We visited dozens of stores in 2018 - but these impressed us the most

Advertisement

TJ Maxx was among the best stores we visited this year.

TJ Maxx was among the best stores we visited this year.
Advertisement

TJ Maxx's parent company, TJX Companies, reported on November 20 that comparable sales were up 9% at TJ Maxx and Marshalls in the most recent fiscal quarter.

TJ Maxx's parent company, TJX Companies, reported on November 20 that comparable sales were up 9% at TJ Maxx and Marshalls in the most recent fiscal quarter.
Advertisement

On a recent store visit, we found the off-price retailer was disorganized, but it was still cleaner and brighter than other similar stores, like Burlington.

On a recent store visit, we found the off-price retailer was disorganized, but it was still cleaner and brighter than other similar stores, like Burlington.

Read more: We shopped at TJ Maxx and Burlington to see which was a better discount store, and the winner was clear for a key reason

It had a lot of high-quality, name brand products, and it was fun to shop at because of the treasure-hunt shopping experience it offered.

It had a lot of high-quality, name brand products, and it was fun to shop at because of the treasure-hunt shopping experience it offered.
Advertisement

Kohl's was another one of the best stores we visited in 2018.

Kohl's was another one of the best stores we visited in 2018.

The Kohl's we went to in Jersey City, New Jersey, was spotlessly clean and well-organized.

The Kohl's we went to in Jersey City, New Jersey, was spotlessly clean and well-organized.
Advertisement

There were shoppers in the store, but it wasn't so busy that there were long lines.

There were shoppers in the store, but it wasn't so busy that there were long lines.

Kohl's reported that comparable sales were up 2.5% in the third quarter.

Kohl's reported that comparable sales were up 2.5% in the third quarter.
Advertisement

Its success is thanks to its locations in suburban strip malls, continued high demand for budget options, and its focus on e-commerce, such as its expanding partnerships with Amazon.

Its success is thanks to its locations in suburban strip malls, continued high demand for budget options, and its focus on e-commerce, such as its expanding partnerships with Amazon.

Read more: Kohl's is being hailed as a winner of the retail apocalypse while other department stores struggle. We shopped there and saw why.

Dollar stores had a great year overall, and Five Below stood out from its competitors.

Dollar stores had a great year overall, and Five Below stood out from its competitors.

Read more: We shopped at 3 of the biggest dollar-store chains in America to see which one offered the best experience, and the winner was clear

Advertisement

We shopped at Five Below locations in Queens and Manhattan.

We shopped at Five Below locations in Queens and Manhattan.

In the third quarter of 2018, Five Below reported comparable sales grew by 4.8%. It opened 53 new stores this quarter, bringing its store count to 745.

In the third quarter of 2018, Five Below reported comparable sales grew by 4.8%. It opened 53 new stores this quarter, bringing its store count to 745.
Advertisement

The store was upbeat and fun to shop at.

The store was upbeat and fun to shop at.

It was cleaner and better organized than other dollar stores we visited, like Dollar General and Dollar Tree.

It was cleaner and better organized than other dollar stores we visited, like Dollar General and Dollar Tree.
Advertisement

Five Below offered the treasure-hunt experience that dollar stores are loved for, but it was still easy to navigate.

Five Below offered the treasure-hunt experience that dollar stores are loved for, but it was still easy to navigate.

It sells everything from cosmetics to electronics to candy, all for $5 or less.

It sells everything from cosmetics to electronics to candy, all for $5 or less.
Advertisement

Aerie was also one of the most impressive stores we visited this year. In the third quarter of 2018, comparable sales were up a whopping 32% for the brand.

Aerie was also one of the most impressive stores we visited this year. In the third quarter of 2018, comparable sales were up a whopping 32% for the brand.

Aerie is hugely popular with teens right now for a few reasons. In 2014, it swapped its airbrushed ads for unretouched photos and launched a body-positive campaign known as #AerieReal.

Aerie is hugely popular with teens right now for a few reasons. In 2014, it swapped its airbrushed ads for unretouched photos and launched a body-positive campaign known as #AerieReal.

Read more: We shopped at American Eagle's Aerie store and saw why it's achieved explosive success while Victoria's Secret has struggled

Advertisement

The store also places emphasis on cozy and comfortable clothing, which is a leading trend right now.

The store also places emphasis on cozy and comfortable clothing, which is a leading trend right now.

Aerie stores also generally offer a good experience for shoppers.

Aerie stores also generally offer a good experience for shoppers.
Advertisement

The Midtown Manhattan location of the store we visited was brightly lit, well-organized, and easy to navigate.

The Midtown Manhattan location of the store we visited was brightly lit, well-organized, and easy to navigate.