From perishables to private label dry goods, Sam’s Club, Costco and BJ’s saw food sales tick up in their most recent quarters.

FILE - Laptop computers are displayed at a retail store in Vernon Hills, Ill., Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025. American consumers pulled back their spending to start 2026, extending the malaise in retail sales that began late last year. Retail sales fell 0.2% in ...

U.S. retail chains have had a rough decade, with store closures, supply shocks, online growth, and a wave of bankruptcies. Looking at the varying performances of 32 large chains from 2016 to 2024, three clear lessons emerge.