In this article, we will take a look at some of the best dividend stocks from the retail sector.
The retail industry has been undergoing a digital transformation since the COVID-19 pandemic. The industry has shifted from a broad, supply-driven model to a more data-focused, ultra-personalized approach adjusted according to individual customers. However, the transition was challenging due to elevated costs and the complexities of existing business models and legacy systems.
According to a report by Deloitte, the industry has experienced slow growth in recent years, with a compound annual growth rate ranging between 1.5% and 3.5%, depending on the sub-sectors. Profit margins also remained under pressure because of consumers’ expectations for seamless omnichannel experiences. Digital adaption was needed, but the costs associated with it created a growing hunger for retailers to increase efficiency, establish strategic partnerships, and investigate alternative revenue streams to remain relevant and competitive.
As retailers strive to improve operations with limited resources, technology and automation have emerged as promising solutions. Generative artificial intelligence, in particular, has moved beyond initial hype and is generating measurable benefits. According to Deloitte, retailers that integrated AI-powered chatbots during Black Friday experienced a 15% improvement in conversion rates. The report also mentioned that six in ten retail buyers reported that AI-enhanced tools improved demand forecasting and inventory management in 2024. Digital efficiency has become a priority, and 2025 could mark a turning point for advancements in several fields, including merchandising, supply chain management, and marketing. Notably, seven in ten retail executives expect to implement AI capabilities within the year to enhance personalization efforts.
Consumer spending in February grew at a slower pace than expected. However, underlying data suggested that sales were strong despite concerns about economic slowdown and high inflation. The report was released during high uncertainty over economic growth, especially as President Donald Trump’s policies led to surging tariff disputes with important US trading partners. Economists have shown their concerns that these tariffs could contribute to higher inflation and weaken economic momentum. Retail sales for February rose by 0.2%, rebounding from the previous month’s downwardly revised 1.2% decline but missing the Dow Jones estimate of a 0.6% increase, as per preliminary data from the Commerce Department. The data also highlighted that retail sales climbed 0.3%, excluding auto sales, which aligned with market expectations.
According to the report, online spending played a key role in driving sales growth for the month, as nonstore retailers reported a 2.4% growth. In addition, health and personal care sales also experienced a 1.7% hike, while the food and beverage sectors saw a 0.4% growth. On the whole, retail sales grew 3.1% as compared to the same period last year, outperforming the 2.8% inflation rate measured by the consumer price index.
The retail sector has largely stabilized since the pandemic, making it an investment area worth considering. Investors are gravitating toward this sector, aiming to capitalize on growing consumer demand. Moreover, the sector is known for its history of providing dividend payments to shareholders. According to a report by Janus Henderson, the general retail sector distributed $8.4 billion in dividends in the third quarter of 2024, up significantly from $2.8 billion paid during the same period in 2020.
A female customer browsing a variety of body care products in a retail store.
Our Methodology:
For this article, we scanned Insider Monkey’s database of over 1,000 hedge funds as of Q4 2024 and picked companies that operate in the retail industry. These companies sell goods and services directly to consumers for personal use and operate through physical stores, online platforms, or a combination of both. From that list, we picked 11 stocks with the highest number of hedge fund investors and ranked them in ascending order of the hedge funds’ sentiment towards them.
At Insider Monkey, we are obsessed with hedge funds. Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 373.4% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 218 percentage points (see more details here).
11. Nordstrom, Inc. (NYSE:JWN)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 35
Nordstrom, Inc. (NYSE:JWN) is a Washington-based luxury department store that offers products in apparel, beauty, shoes, home goods, and other accessories. The company’s business model involves omnichannel integration, which means that customers can smoothly shop in-store, online, or via mobile. The expansion of this format was the company’s key priority throughout the quarter, targeting cost-conscious customers. In the past 12 months, the stock has surged by over 21%.
In the fourth quarter of 2024, Nordstrom, Inc. (NYSE:JWN) reported revenue of $4.32 billion, which showed a 2.19% growth from the same period last year. Its net earnings for the quarter came in at $165 million, or $0.97 per diluted share (EPS). In its earnings report, the company highlighted that women’s apparel, activewear, and men’s apparel experienced the strongest growth in FY24, as compared to 2023. JWN is gaining traction among investors as the company’s digital segment is growing. In the most recent quarter, digital sales represented 38% of the total sales.
In addition to strong earnings, Nordstrom, Inc. (NYSE:JWN)’s cash position also came in strong. The company ended the quarter with over $1 billion in cash and cash equivalents, up from $628 million in the prior-year period. Moreover, it generated over $1.2 billion in operating cash flow in 2024, compared with $627 million a year ago.
Nordstrom, Inc. (NYSE:JWN) currently offers a quarterly dividend of $0.19 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.11%, as of March 29. It is among the best dividend stocks from the retail sector.
10. Best Buy Co., Inc. (NYSE:BBY)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 38
Best Buy Co., Inc. (NYSE:BBY) is an American multinational consumer electronics retailer that offers a wide range of related products and services. In addition to its retail stores, the company is also widely known for its online presence, both of which collectively contribute a lot to its omnichannel strategy. It also focuses on managing vendor relationships effectively and has a strong connection to major brands, such as Apple and Samsung. This stable vendor relationship helps the company to navigate consumer sentiment.
In the fourth quarter of FY25, Best Buy Co., Inc. (NYSE:BBY) reported revenue of $13.9 billion, down by 4.7% from the same period last year. The company’s International segment contributed $1.2 billion in revenues. Its effective leveraging of omnichannel strategy could be seen from its growing digital sales. The company’s domestic online revenue came in at $5.02 billion, which grew by 2.6% from the prior-year period. Due to this, it plans to further strengthen this area by expanding new revenue streams, such as Best Buy Marketplace and Best Buy Ads.
Best Buy Co., Inc. (NYSE:BBY) is a solid dividend payer, boasting a strong balance sheet. The company ended the quarter with $1.6 billion in cash and cash equivalents. Its operating cash flow for FY25 came in at $2 billion, up from $1.4 billion in FY24. The company offers a quarterly dividend of $0.95 per share, growing it by 1.1% in March. This marked the company’s 12th consecutive year of dividend growth, which makes it one of the best dividend stocks in the retail sector. The stock supports a dividend yield of 5.24%, as of March 29.
9. DICK’S Sporting Goods, Inc. (NYSE:DKS)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 45
DICK’S Sporting Goods, Inc. (NYSE:DKS) is a Pennsylvania-based chain of sporting goods stores. The company has over 700 stores and integrates its physical locations with its online presence. It plans to diversify its brand offerings as propriety brands represent 13% of its net sales. The company’s ScoreCard Rewards loyalty program is crucial in this regard as it has over 25 million active members and accounts for approximately 70% of its sales.
In the fourth quarter of 2024, DICK’S Sporting Goods, Inc. (NYSE:DKS) reported $3.89 billion in revenue, which experienced a 0.5% growth from the same period last year. The revenue also beat analysts’ estimates by $122.89 million. The company’s comparable sales for the quarter grew by 6.4%. DKS posted a net income of $300 million, up from $296 million in the prior-year period. It is actively working on its expansion strategy as the company opened seven House of Sport locations and 15 DICK’S Field House locations during 2024. In addition, it intends to launch approximately 16 House of Sport locations and approximately 18 additional DICK’S Field House locations in 2025.
At the end of the year, DICK’S Sporting Goods, Inc. (NYSE:DKS) had nearly $1.7 billion available in cash and cash equivalents. Its operating cash flow for the year came in at $1.3 billion, compared with $1.52 billion in 2023. The company remained committed to its shareholder obligation, returning $362 million to shareholders through dividends during FY24.
On March 11, DICK’S Sporting Goods, Inc. (NYSE:DKS) declared a 10% growth in its quarterly dividend to $1.2125 per share. Through this increase, the company stretched its dividend growth streak to 16 years, which places DKS on our list of the best dividend stocks. As of March 29, the stock supports a dividend yield of 2.40%.