Experts predict the pandemic has acclimated consumers to the idea of online shopping, a trend that’s projected to continue well beyond the U.S. economy’s complete reopening. U.S. retail sales just had their biggest jump in history despite the recent economic shutdown. With this in mind, let’s take a closer look at some of the companies that should benefit from this trend.
Amazon.com (AMZN)
Amazon.com is the name that perhaps first comes to mind when most people think online shopping, and for good reason: Amazon is the largest e-commerce retailer by online revenue, surpassing even Walmart as the largest retailer in the world last year. Just when it looks like the firm has saturated all the most important retail channels, it keeps finding new ways to grow. It generated $280 billion in sales last year, and analysts anticipate $346 billion in revenue (+24%) for 2020, thanks largely to the massive increase in online sales related to the pandemic. It also continues to expand into new areas, including healthcare, and the growth trend is expected to continue for the next several years. Needless to say, AMZN stock should be a staple of any long-term growth investor’s portfolio.
Big Lots (BIG)
E-commerce stocks aren’t the only ones making bank in today’s post-COVID economy. In what came as a surprise to many, a few brick-and-mortar retailers actually outperformed during the shutdown, as well. Among them was Big Lots (BIG), which kept all its stores open during the pandemic and reported strong online business (+45%) and higher comparable-store sales in April.
The closeout consumer goods retailer also said comparable-store sales were “up strongly” in the current quarter and have exceeded the firm’s expectations through mid-June; it also saw its biggest e-commerce volume ever in Q1. Management attributed recent growth to increased demand for home furnishings during the lockdowns, though it warned that sales will likely slow this summer. But analysts anticipate more growth in furniture and online sales (the firm recently partnered with Instacart to provide same-day delivery from nearly 1,400 stores in 47 states), and 13% revenue growth is expected in Q2. As an off-price retailer in a rebounding economy, we think Big Lots still has room to grow.
Carvana (CVNA)
When most people think of retailers, they don’t typically think of automobiles. But Carvana (CVNA), the nation’s fastest-growing auto retailer and the leading e-commerce platform for buying and selling used cars, is among the retailers that drastically outperformed during the shutdown. Although its sales fell around 30% in early April, it rebounded to around 25% growth (year over year) by April’s end due to the pandemic. Millennials in particular are drawn to the firm’s unique online car sales platform, and analysts estimate 29% revenue growth this year and 45% top-line growth in 2021. Carvana’s growth prospects make it a worthwhile consideration for longer-term-oriented investors.
Lowe’s (LOW)
Millions of Americans experienced cabin fever during the shutdown, and with the extra time on their hands, many turned to home improvement projects and gardening. Lowe’s (LOW) experienced strong sales growth in the first quarter, with total company comparable sales growing 11% and online sales increasing an incredible 80%! The pandemic also resulted in increased demand for COVID-related products, such as cleaning supplies and appliances like refrigerators and freezers. Now that the economy is reopening, the company should see increased sales for building supplies, as well as home consumer-related products. Earnings are estimated to increase 17% this year from a year ago, while revenue is expected to rise 6%. All told, there appears to be growth potential ahead for LOW.
The companies discussed here are among the top performers in the retail sector and should be able to benefit from additional improvements in U.S. economic conditions. With a new bull market now underway, investors should expect that retail stocks—particularly those with a solid e-commerce business—will continue to show relative strength and forward momentum in the months to come.