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U.S. General Merchandise and Department Stores Industry Analysis

UpdatedMay 09, 2026
DataAggregated Company Financials
Companies33
  • 7D1.3%
  • 3M18.5%
  • 1Y27.1%
  • YTD11.3%

Over the last 7 days, the General Merchandise and Department Stores industry has risen 1.3%, driven by gains from Amazon.com of 2.3%. During this same period, the Coupang underperformed, falling 14%. This means that the industry has gained 27% over the past year. As for the next few years, earnings are expected to grow by 16% per annum.

Industry Valuation and Performance

Has the U.S. General Merchandise and Department Stores Industry valuation changed over the past few years?

DateMarket CapRevenueEarningsPEAbsolute PEPS
Sun, 10 May 2026US$3.7tUS$1.3tUS$129.4b23.1x28.5x2.8x
Tue, 07 Apr 2026US$3.0tUS$1.3tUS$116.8b21.9x25.4x2.3x
Thu, 05 Mar 2026US$3.0tUS$1.3tUS$123.6b17.3x24.1x2.3x
Sat, 31 Jan 2026US$3.5tUS$1.3tUS$122.3b19.2x28.4x2.8x
Mon, 29 Dec 2025US$3.3tUS$1.2tUS$122.0b19x27.4x2.7x
Wed, 26 Nov 2025US$3.3tUS$1.2tUS$124.8b17.9x26.5x2.7x
Fri, 24 Oct 2025US$3.3tUS$1.2tUS$119.0b20.3x27.5x2.7x
Sun, 21 Sep 2025US$3.5tUS$1.2tUS$119.0b21.1x29.1x2.9x
Tue, 19 Aug 2025US$3.2tUS$1.2tUS$115.0b18.5x28x2.7x
Thu, 17 Jul 2025US$3.1tUS$1.1tUS$111.0b15.9x28.1x2.7x
Sat, 14 Jun 2025US$3.0tUS$1.1tUS$111.0b15.8x26.8x2.6x
Mon, 12 May 2025US$2.8tUS$1.2tUS$111.1b16.2x25.1x2.4x
Wed, 09 Apr 2025US$2.5tUS$1.1tUS$103.4b13.4x24x2.2x
Fri, 07 Mar 2025US$3.0tUS$1.1tUS$103.5b16x28.8x2.6x
Sun, 02 Feb 2025US$3.2tUS$1.1tUS$88.5b19.1x35.7x2.9x
Tue, 31 Dec 2024US$2.9tUS$1.1tUS$88.3b20x33.3x2.7x
Thu, 28 Nov 2024US$2.8tUS$1.1tUS$88.5b18.3x31.6x2.5x
Sat, 26 Oct 2024US$2.6tUS$1.1tUS$80.1b19.8x32.8x2.4x
Mon, 23 Sep 2024US$2.6tUS$1.1tUS$80.4b18.4x32.6x2.4x
Wed, 21 Aug 2024US$2.5tUS$1.1tUS$76.9b19.7x33x2.3x
Fri, 19 Jul 2024US$2.6tUS$1.1tUS$70.1b16.6x36.5x2.4x
Sun, 16 Jun 2024US$2.5tUS$1.1tUS$70.1b18.3x36.1x2.4x
Tue, 14 May 2024US$2.6tUS$1.0tUS$70.0b24.3x37.1x2.5x
Thu, 11 Apr 2024US$2.5tUS$1.0tUS$62.8b23.6x39.8x2.4x
Sat, 09 Mar 2024US$2.4tUS$1.0tUS$60.5b21.7x39.2x2.3x
Mon, 05 Feb 2024US$2.3tUS$1.0tUS$64.4b18.5x36.4x2.3x
Wed, 03 Jan 2024US$2.2tUS$1.0tUS$54.3b22.4x39.6x2.1x
Fri, 01 Dec 2023US$2.1tUS$1.0tUS$54.1b21.3x39x2.1x
Sun, 29 Oct 2023US$1.9tUS$992.8bUS$41.3b25.5x45.2x1.9x
Tue, 26 Sep 2023US$1.9tUS$977.1bUS$34.3b22.8x55.8x2x
Thu, 24 Aug 2023US$1.9tUS$976.5bUS$33.9b20.3x57.4x2x
Sat, 22 Jul 2023US$1.9tUS$946.8bUS$25.3b33.1x74.9x2x
Mon, 19 Jun 2023US$1.9tUS$949.5bUS$25.4b29x72.8x1.9x
Wed, 17 May 2023US$1.7tUS$954.2bUS$19.6b36.3x85.3x1.8x
Price to Earnings Ratio

85.3x


Total Market Cap: US$1.7tTotal Earnings: US$19.6bTotal Revenue: US$954.2bTotal Market Cap vs Earnings and Revenue0%0%0%
U.S. General Merchandise and Department Stores Industry Price to Earnings3Y Average 37.1x202420252026
Current Industry PE
  • Investors are pessimistic on the American Multiline Retail industry, indicating that they anticipate long term growth rates will be lower than they have historically.
  • The industry is trading at a PE ratio of 28.5x which is lower than its 3-year average PE of 37.1x.
  • The 3-year average PS ratio of 2.4x is lower than the industry's current PS ratio of 2.8x.
Past Earnings Growth
  • The earnings for companies in the Multiline Retail industry have grown 88% per year over the last three years.
  • Revenues for these companies have grown 12% per year.
  • This means that more sales are being generated by these companies overall, and subsequently their profits are increasing too.

Industry Trends

Which industries have driven the changes within the U.S. Consumer Discretionary industry?

US Market2.14%
Consumer Discretionary1.97%
General Merchandise and Department Stores1.32%
Broadline Retail1.32%
Department Stores0%0
General Merchandise Stores0%0
Industry PE
  • Investors are most optimistic about the Broadline Retail industry even though it's trading below its 3-year average PE ratio of 37.1x.
    • Analysts are expecting annual earnings growth of 16.5%, which is higher than its past year's earnings decline of 4.0% per year.
  • Investors are most pessimistic about the Broadline Retail industry, which is trading below its 3-year average of 37.1x.
Forecasted Growth
  • Analysts are most optimistic on the Broadline Retail industry, expecting annual earnings growth of 16% over the next 5 years.
  • This is better than its past earnings decline of 4.0% per year.
  • In contrast, the Broadline Retail industry is expected to see its earnings grow by 16% per year over the next few years.

Top Stock Gainers and Losers

Which companies have driven the market over the last 7 days?

CompanyLast Price7D1YValuation
AMZN Amazon.comUS$271.172.3%
+US$65.7b		41.2%PE32.1x
BABA Alibaba Group HoldingUS$141.006.9%
+US$20.5b		12.1%PE23.2x
MELI MercadoLibreUS$1.87k4.3%
+US$3.9b		-22.4%PE47.5x
PDD PDD HoldingsUS$101.511.6%
+US$2.3b		-7.6%PE10x
SE SeaUS$88.644.4%
+US$2.3b		-39.2%PE34.4x

Latest News

PDD
US$101.51
PDD Holdings
7D
1.6%
1Y
-7.6%
Seeking Alpha • 14h

PDD Holdings: A Cash-Rich Compounder Trading Like A Broken Business

Summary PDD Holdings presents a rare disconnect between its robust business quality and deeply discounted valuation, trading at just 4–5x forward EV/EBITDA. PDD’s domestic Pinduoduo platform remains a cash-generating engine, while Temu drives international growth at structurally lower margins but with significant global optionality. Management is intentionally reinvesting in merchant support and supply chain efficiency, accepting lower near-term margins for a more durable, globally scalable platform. Nearly half of PDD’s market cap is backed by $60B net cash, offering downside protection as the market over-discounts geopolitical and regulatory risks. Read the full article on Seeking Alpha
MELI
US$1,870.01
MercadoLibre
7D
4.3%
1Y
-22.4%
Seeking Alpha • 19h

MercadoLibre Q1: The Selloff Is A Gift

Summary I am reiterating a "buy" rating on MercadoLibre despite a 13% post-earnings drop, driven by strategic investments causing near-term margin compression while the top line accelerates. MELI's revenue growth is accelerating, with Commerce Revenue up 47% and Fintech revenue up 51% YoY, as strategic investments deepen user engagement. Margin pressure stems from expanded free shipping, credit portfolio growth, and logistics capex, but unit shipping costs and engagement metrics are improving. With a 44% potential upside to the average price target and strengthening fundamentals, I am increasing my exposure, viewing risk-reward as highly attractive. Read the full article on Seeking Alpha
BABA
US$141.00
Alibaba Group Holding
7D
6.9%
1Y
12.1%
Seeking Alpha • 19h

Alibaba Making All The Right Moves, But It's Not On Sale Yet

Summary Alibaba Group Holding Limited remains a ‘hold’ as profitability declines due to heavy investment, despite ongoing revenue growth. BABA’s China e-commerce segment drives over half of revenue, with strong user growth and premium membership expansion, but segment profits have sharply contracted. The Cloud Intelligence Group is a key long-term growth driver, with 36.4% YoY revenue growth and triple-digit AI product expansion. Valuation is in line with peers like AMZN and GOOGL; shares are not cheap enough to warrant a bullish upgrade absent a major catalyst. Read the full article on Seeking Alpha
SE
US$88.64
Sea
7D
4.4%
1Y
-39.2%
Seeking Alpha • 19h

Sea Q1 Earnings Preview: Fantastic Dip To Buy As Valuation Falls

Summary I'm upgrading Sea to a strong buy rating after the stock's recent rout has vaulted the stock to a bargain 11x forward-adjusted EBITDA label. SE's Shopee faces market skepticism due to 2026 guidance: ~25% GMV growth but adjusted EBITDA only matching 2025 levels, implying margin compression. Rival Lazada (part of the Alibaba Group) appears to be focused on profitability, diminishing concerns of a retail race to the bottom. Sea also has a massive ~$11 billion net cash position now worth a quarter of the company's market cap, which enables deep buybacks and an expansion of the company's lending. The next catalyst for Sea is its Q1 earnings release on May 12. Read the full article on Seeking Alpha
GLBE
US$32.63
Global-E Online
7D
4.0%
1Y
-13.1%
EBAY
US$106.42
eBay
7D
2.8%
1Y
50.8%
AMZN
US$271.17
Amazon.com
7D
2.3%
1Y
41.2%
PTRN
US$16.95
Pattern Group
7D
25.8%
1Y
n/a
SVV
US$8.21
Savers Value Village
7D
-2.8%
1Y
-28.2%
ETSY
US$64.02
Etsy
7D
-0.5%
1Y
33.8%
CPNG
US$17.22
Coupang
7D
-13.8%
1Y
-32.8%
OLLI
US$81.77
Ollie's Bargain Outlet Holdings
7D
-5.5%
1Y
-24.9%
JD
US$30.21
JD.com
7D
-0.4%
1Y
-11.5%
Narrative Update • May 01

JD: Delivery Investments And Europe Expansion Will Continue To Pressure Margins

Analyst price targets for JD.com have moved up by a few dollars per share, as analysts point to more disciplined food delivery spending and refreshed models from firms that recently raised their $ targets following earlier Q4 related cuts. Analyst Commentary Recent research updates on JD.com point to a mixed setup for investors, with some firms turning more constructive while others keep a tight focus on execution risks, profitability trends, and how much of that is already reflected in the share price.
MNSO
US$14.53
MINISO Group Holding
7D
-1.8%
1Y
-21.5%
M
US$19.23
Macy's
7D
-1.6%
1Y
63.1%
Seeking Alpha • Apr 22

Macy's: Valuation Has Limited Upside With Technical And Macroeconomic Risks

Summary Macy’s sees persistent macroeconomic headwinds, with Q4 2025 revenue down 1.1% YoY and limited growth drivers. M’s fundamentals remain robust—solid liquidity, manageable debt, and a resilient premium customer base mitigate downside risk. Valuation is cheap with a DDM-based target price of $25.08, but upside is limited and technicals remain bearish. I maintain a hold rating on M, as modest upside and ongoing risks do not justify a more bullish stance. Read the full article on Seeking Alpha
DDS
US$553.46
Dillard's
7D
-2.8%
1Y
52.8%