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US Department Store Stocks: Leading US Department Store Companies in 2026

US department store stocks include retailers selling apparel, beauty, home and other products. US retail sales reached $763.6 bn in July 2026, up 5% year-on-year, reflecting the scale of consumer spending that supports the sector. In this article, we will be covering all the US department store stocks that might benefit from this environment, along with an overview of the top companies.

List of US Department Store Stocks in 2026

US Department Store Stocks

Track US department store stocks from large multi-category retail chains listed on American exchanges. Analyse companies using live share price, market cap, returns, valuation and key financial metrics.

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NameUS Stocks (4)↓↓Sub-SectorSub-Sector↓↓Market CapMarket Cap↓↓Close PriceClose Price↓↓PE Ratio (TTM)PE Ratio (TTM)↓↓1M Return1M Return↓↓1D Return1D Return↓↓Return on EquityReturn on Equity↓↓PB RatioPB Ratio↓
1.Dillard's, Inc.DDSDepartment StoresDepartment Stores10,725.8810,725.88695.68695.6816.0416.047.757.75-3.48-3.4833.7533.754.764.76
2.Macy’s IncMDepartment StoresDepartment Stores6,119.376,119.3724.1024.108.588.588.368.36-0.35-0.3515.9915.991.181.18
3.Kohl's CorporationKSSDepartment StoresDepartment Stores2,512.422,512.4224.5824.589.319.3144.2544.25-0.83-0.836.676.670.500.50
4.Polibeli Group Ltd Class A Ordinary SharesPLBLDepartment StoresDepartment Stores1,967.501,967.505.475.47---8.76-8.762.242.24----

Disclaimer: Please note that the above table is for informational purposes only, and is not recommendatory. Please do your own research or consult your financial advisor before investing. The data is derived from Tickertape Stock Screener and is subject to real-time updates.

Overviews of Top US Department Store Stocks

Dillard's, Inc.

William Dillard borrowed $8,000 from his father to open T.J. Dillard's, named after his father, in Nashville, Arkansas, in February 1938. He sold the store in 1948 to buy into a retailer in Texarkana, then expanded through the South via a string of acquisitions over subsequent decades. Now headquartered in Little Rock, Arkansas, Dillard's remains substantially controlled by the Dillard family through a dual-class share structure.

Kohl's Corporation

Polish immigrant Maxwell Kohl opened a Milwaukee corner grocery store in 1927, later expanding into a regional supermarket chain by 1946. Hoping to draw more shoppers, Kohl opened his first department store alongside a supermarket in Brookfield, Wisconsin, in 1962, positioning it between higher-end department stores and discounters. Now headquartered in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, Kohl's became the largest US department store chain by store count in 2012.

Macy's Inc

Rowland Hussey Macy, whose four earlier retail ventures had all failed, opened a small dry goods store in Manhattan in October 1858, with first-day sales of just $11.08. He had a red star tattooed on his hand during a stint on a whaling ship, an image that became the store's enduring logo. The company, later merged with Federated Department Stores in 1994, is now headquartered in New York and also owns Bloomingdale's.

Polibeli Group Ltd Class A Ordinary Shares

Polibeli was founded in March 2024 in Jakarta, Indonesia, as a digital supply chain and distribution platform rather than a traditional department store chain. The company connects manufacturers and brand owners with small retailers across Japan, Indonesia, Hong Kong, and Europe, handling procurement, warehousing, and logistics. It became a US-listed company in August 2025 through a merger with a special purpose acquisition company, Chenghe Acquisition II.

What are US Department Store Stocks?

US department store stocks represent shares of US-listed companies that sell a broad range of merchandise, including apparel, home goods, and accessories, typically across large physical retail formats. These companies generate revenue through direct merchandise sales, private-label credit programmes, and, increasingly, e-commerce channels. The category can also include adjacent retail distribution businesses that support how merchandise reaches smaller retailers, even where a company does not operate physical department stores itself.

How to Evaluate and Invest in US Department Store Sector Stocks?

Here's how to invest in the US department store stock market from India, step by step:

  1. Log in or Create an Account: Visit Tickertape US Stocks and log in to your account. Create an account if you have not registered yet and complete the US investing account-opening process.
  2. Search for Department Store Stocks: Use the Tickertape US Stock Screener and select 'General Merchandise Stores' under the sector filter.
  3. Analyse the Stocks: Each stock page provides information such as the live market price, 52-week range, financial performance, peer comparison and recent news.
  4. Add Money to Your US Wallet: Connect an eligible bank account and transfer money to your US Wallet under the Liberalised Remittance Scheme.
  5. Place Your Order: Select the department store stock you want to invest in and click on 'Buy' to place the order through Tickertape.

Taxation of US Department Stores Stocks for Indian Investors

The tax treatment of US department store stocks generally depends on the holding period, the investor's applicable income-tax rate and US withholding rules on dividend income.

Income / ActionHolding Period / ConditionTax Rate in the USTax Rate in India
Long-Term Capital Gains (LTCG)Held for > 24 months0% (Taxed only in India under DTAA)12.5% (+ applicable surcharge & cess)
Short-Term Capital Gains (STCG)Held for < 24 months0% (Taxed only in India under DTAA)Taxed as per your applicable income slab rate

Advantages of Investing in US Department Store Stocks

Large Existing Market

US department stores industry revenue is estimated at $227.1 bn through the end of 2026. This still gives established players a sizeable base of existing sales, even as the category faces structural pressure.

Off-Price Format Resilience

Discount and beauty retailers continue expanding even as traditional department stores shrink. This shows that value-focused retail formats within the broader category can still find growth.

Store Rationalisation Benefits

Companies closing underperforming locations are concentrating capital toward their most productive stores and digital fulfilment. This can improve per-store profitability even as total store counts decline.

Muted Direct Tariff Exposure

Imports account for a low share of department store industry revenue. This limits the sector's direct exposure to import tariffs compared with categories more reliant on imported goods.

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Risks of Investing in US Department Store Stocks

Structural Industry Decline

US department store industry revenue is projected to decline at a compound annual rate through 2026, continuing a multi-year trend. Analysts expect the sector to keep shrinking over the next several years absent a broader recovery.

Accelerating Store Closures

Retailers announced 67% more store closures in 2025 than the prior year, with several long-established department store chains among those affected. This reflects a sharper pace of physical footprint reduction than in prior years.

Weak Consumer Discretionary Spending

Persistent economic uncertainty has made consumers more selective in discretionary spending, contributing to weaker sales and declining foot traffic. This pressure has affected even well-established, century-old chains.

E-Commerce Competitive Pressure

Continued growth in e-commerce has widened the gap between store closures and openings nationwide. This raises questions about the long-term structural position of large-format physical retail.

Factors to Consider Before Investing in US Department Store Stocks

Store Footprint Quality

Since traffic trends differ sharply between premium and secondary retail locations, a company's mix of high-performing versus underperforming stores shapes how much of its footprint reduction improves overall profitability.

Off-Price Versus Full-Price Mix

Because value-focused formats have shown more resilience than full-price department stores, a company's exposure to off-price retail versus traditional full-price selling affects how it performs through periods of value-conscious consumer spending.

Digital and Omnichannel Execution

As e-commerce continues taking share from physical retail, a company's investment in online fulfilment and integrated shopping experiences affects its ability to retain customers who shift channels.

Ownership and Capital Structure

Family-controlled companies with dual-class share structures can pursue different capital allocation priorities than widely held public companies. This ownership structure is a relevant factor when comparing strategic flexibility across department store operators.

Key Growth Drivers for US Department Store Stocks

Premium Mall Traffic Holding Up

Traffic trends remain uneven across shopping centres, with premium malls faring better than secondary locations. Retailers consolidating into higher-performing properties can benefit from this differentiated demand.

Retail Space Demand Rising

US retail openings are expected to rise about 4% in 2026, with closures slowing by a similar margin. This points to a more stable retail real estate backdrop after several volatile years.

Digital Fulfilment Investment

Some department store operators are investing in automated fulfilment centres to support online sales growth. This reflects an ongoing shift toward integrating digital and physical retail operations.

Cross-Border Distribution Growth

Digital supply chain platforms connecting manufacturers with smaller retailers are expanding across multiple countries. This reflects a broader shift toward technology-enabled distribution alongside traditional retail formats.

How to Track US Department Store Stocks From India on Tickertape?

You can track US department store stocks and ETFs from India on Tickertape's US Stocks & ETFs platform.

  1. Open US Stocks Screener: Visit the Tickertape US Stock Screener and explore department store-related companies listed on US exchanges.
  2. Search Department Store Stocks: Search for "Department Stores" under the sector and select it to explore companies operating in the industry.
  3. Apply Filters: Compare companies using 60+ parameters, including market capitalisation, valuation ratios, profitability metrics, growth indicators and financial health measures.
  4. Analyse Company Metrics: Review individual stock pages to understand financial performance, revenue trends, margins, debt levels, price movements and other available insights.
  5. Create a Watchlist: Add selected department store stocks to your watchlist to track price updates, company developments and performance changes from India.

Conclusion

US department store stocks span traditional full-line chains, regional operators, off-price formats, and adjacent digital distribution platforms, each facing a different competitive position. Their performance can be influenced by store footprint quality, the mix between off-price and full-price selling, digital execution, and ownership structure. Since industry revenue is projected to keep declining even as store closures accelerate, investors should weigh structural sector headwinds alongside any company-specific turnaround efforts before drawing conclusions from broader retail trends. Investors can use the Tickertape US Stock Screener to compare US department store stocks using 60+ unique filters and custom filters across valuation, profitability, growth, financial health and other key metrics.

Frequently Asked Questions on US Department Store Stocks

  1. What are US department store stocks?

    US department store stocks are shares of US-listed companies that sell a broad range of merchandise across large physical retail formats, along with some adjacent digital distribution businesses. Most established department store operators earn revenue through a mix of in-store sales, private-label credit programmes, and growing e-commerce channels.

  2. Who are the top department store companies?

    As of 1st Septemeber 2026, some of the largest US department stores based on market cap include:
    1. Dillard's, Inc.
    2. Kohl's Corporation
    3. Macy's Inc
    4. Polibeli Group Ltd Class A Ordinary Shares


    Disclaimer: The above US department stores list is for educational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Investors should conduct their own research or consult a financial advisor before investing.

  3. What is the outlook for US department store stocks?

    The 2026 outlook remains challenging: industry revenue is projected to keep declining, and store closures accelerated sharply in 2025 as consumers grew more selective with discretionary spending. At the same time, overall US retail openings are expected to rise modestly in 2026, and companies focusing capital on their most productive locations may be better positioned than those spread thin across underperforming stores.

    Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Investors should conduct their own research or consult a financial advisor before investing.

  4. Are US department store stocks risky for Indian investors?

    Yes, this category carries more structural risk than many other retail segments, given the multi-year decline in industry revenue and accelerating store closures across the sector. Indian investors should also factor in the usual currency movement and cross-border investing considerations that come with holding US equities.

  5. How can I compare US department store stocks on Tickertape?

    Indian investors can use the Tickertape US Stock Screener to compare US department store stocks across valuation, profitability, growth, financial health, and other metrics using 60+ filters. This makes it easier to check whether a company's footprint reduction and off-price mix are translating into more stable underlying financial performance.

  6. Can beginners invest in US department store stocks?

    Yes, beginners can invest in US department store stocks through platforms like Tickertape, which allow fractional investing and provide research tools to help evaluate individual companies. That said, this category's structural industry decline makes it especially important to research each company's specific strategy rather than assuming broad sector recovery.

    Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Investors should assess their financial goals and risk tolerance or consult a financial advisor before investing.

  7. How to invest in US department store stocks from India?

    Investors can invest in US department store stocks from India through Tickertape. The process generally involves:
    1. Create an account: Open a US investing account on Tickertape.
    2. Explore department store stocks: Use the Tickertape US Stock Screener to identify department store companies.
    3. Complete KYC: Finish the know-your-customer verification process.
    4. Link a bank account: Connect your bank account for fund transfers.
    5. Add funds: Transfer money into your US investing wallet.
    6. Place an order: Buy shares of your selected department store stocks.

  8. What are the advantages of investing in US department store stocks?

    US department store stocks can offer exposure to companies actively restructuring their store footprints and shifting toward more productive, digitally integrated retail models. Because store closures are concentrating capital toward higher-performing locations, some operators may see improving per-store economics even as the broader industry shrinks.

    Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Investors should conduct their own research or consult a financial advisor before investing.

  9. What is the difference between individual US department store stocks and retail-focused ETFs?

    Individual department store stocks give investors direct, concentrated exposure to one company's specific store footprint and turnaround strategy, which means company-specific execution matters more than broader sector trends. Retail-focused ETFs spread exposure across multiple retailers and formats instead, reducing single-company risk but also diluting exposure to any one company's specific recovery story.

  10. What metrics are commonly used to evaluate US department store stocks?

    Common metrics include same-store sales growth, store closure and opening activity, e-commerce penetration, and gross margin. Same-store sales matter especially in this sector, since they help separate genuine demand trends from the effect of a shrinking overall store count.

    Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Investors should conduct their own research or consult a financial advisor before investing.

  11. Do US department store stocks pay dividends?

    Some established department store operators continue to pay dividends, though payout levels can be more variable than in steadier retail categories given the sector's structural sales decline. Companies prioritising store rationalisation and digital investment may also choose to preserve cash over maintaining dividend levels during periods of restructuring.

    Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Investors should conduct their own research or consult a financial advisor before investing.