2020 is the year of unprecedented challenges for many industries including the retail industry. In this period of the pandemic, some retailers will grow vigorously while others strive to survive. The forward-thinking retailers are setting high expectations for the rest of the industry. The adoption of new evolving trends is the main reason behind the prosperity of some retail businesses.

There are four important trends that are influencing this industry. Those trends include cost reduction, increased power of the consumer, business model evolution, and the value of purpose. The retail industry is implementing new strategies to improve the customer experience. To gain a competitive edge, retailers must invest in modern business strategies and new technologies.

Let take a quick look at the top 15 leading companies in the specialty retail industry and see how these companies are implementing the new strategies to improve the experience of their customers:

Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. (NASDAQ: BBBY)

Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. (NASDAQ: BBBY) shares were trading up 25.13% at $18.75 at the time of writing on Thursday. Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. (NASDAQ: BBBY) share price went from a low point around $3.43 to briefly over $17.79 in the past 52 weeks, though share has since pulled back to $18.75. BBBY market cap has remained high, hitting $2.26B at the time of writing, giving it a price-to-sales ratio of more than 0.

Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. has shared the financial results for the second quarter of fiscal 2020 ended August 29, 2020. If we look at the recent analyst rating BBBY, Robert W. Baird upgraded coverage on BBBY shares with an Outperform rating and an $11.92 price target, which implies room for -6.83% downside momentum this year.

Sally Beauty Holdings Inc. (NYSE: SBH)

Sally Beauty Holdings Inc. (NYSE: SBH) last closed at $9.29, in a 52-week range of $6.28 to $21.98. Analysts have a consensus price target of $14.44. Sally Beauty Holdings Inc. (SBH) has earlier confirmed its commitment to the Canadian stylist community and to the Canadian hair color, hair care, nail, and beauty consumer. The company has also announced the acquisition of La Maison Ami-Co Inc., a professional beauty products distributor in the Canadian province of Quebec, by its subsidiary BSG.

The Michaels Companies Inc. (NASDAQ: MIK)

The Michaels Companies Inc. (NASDAQ: MIK) stock soar by 8.34% to $10.46. The most recent rating by Credit Suisse, on September 04, 2020, is at an Outperform. The Michaels Companies Inc. (MIK) has earlier hosted its 2020 Virtual Investor Day to provide an overview of its strategic plan and an update on the Company’s go-to-market transformation to better serve the needs of its Maker customers.

Blink Charging Co. (NASDAQ: BLNK)

Blink Charging Co. (NASDAQ: BLNK) Shares headed rising, higher as much as 3.49%. The most recent rating by H.C. Wainwright, on August 14, 2020, is at a Neutral. Blink Charging Co. (BLNK) has disclosed the sale and planned deployment of 14 IQ 200 charging stations at five locations in the City of Richmond, California. Funds have been awarded to the City of Richmond by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District through the Transportation Fund for Clean Air program making this public EV access expansion project possible.

Party City Holdco Inc. (NYSE: PRTY)

Party City Holdco Inc. (NYSE: PRTY) rose 3.08% after gaining more than $0.08 on Thursday. Party City Holdco Inc. (PRTY) disclosed that it has decided to hire approximately 20,000 temporary employees and open approximately 25 Halloween City pop-up stores for the Halloween season to support consumers’ needs however they choose to celebrate and shop this year.

DICK’S Sporting Goods Inc. (DKS)

DICK’S Sporting Goods Inc. (DKS) last closed at $60.25, in a 52-week range of $13.46 to $59.67. Analysts have a consensus price target of $62.33. DICK’S Sporting Goods Inc. will expand its footprint nationwide with the opening of six DICK’S Sporting Goods stores, two combination DICK’S and Golf Galaxy locations, and three DICK’S Sporting Goods Warehouse Sale locations in October.

KAR Auction Services Inc. (NYSE: KAR)

KAR Auction Services Inc. (NYSE: KAR) shares headed rising, higher as much as 5.07%. The most recent rating by Stephens, on October 01, 2020, is at an Overweight. KAR Auction Services Inc. (KAR) has earlier signed a definitive agreement to buy BacklotCars Inc., subject to certain regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.

Williams-Sonoma Inc. (NYSE: WSM)

Williams-Sonoma Inc. (NYSE: WSM) stock soar by 3.67% to $93.76. The most recent rating by Telsey Advisory Group, on August 27, 2020, is at an Outperform. Williams Sonoma, a member of the Williams-Sonoma, Inc. portfolio of brands, disclosed the launch of a new collaboration with Ghetto Gastro in partnership with kitchen design and manufacturing company, CRUX.

GameStop Corp. (NYSE: GME)

GameStop Corp. (NYSE: GME) last closed at $9.77, in a 52-week range of $2.57 to $11.17. Analysts have a consensus price target of $6.20. GameStop Corp. (GME) has moved up 280.16% from its 52-weeks low and has moved down-12.53% from its 52-weeks high. Looking at its liquidity, it has a current ratio of 1.10. This company market capitalization has remained high, hitting $580.73 million at the time of writing.

The Container Store Group Inc. (NYSE: TCS)

The Container Store Group Inc. (NYSE: TCS) stock soar by 25.44% to $7.79. The most recent rating by Goldman, on August 04, 2020, is at a Sell. The Container Store Group Inc. (TCS) share price went from a low point around $1.80 to briefly over $7.82 in the past 52 weeks, though share has since pulled back to $7.79. TCS market cap has remained high, hitting $400.09 million at the time of writing.

At Home Group Inc. (NYSE: HOME)

At Home Group Inc. (NYSE: HOME) shares headed rising, higher as much as 2.29%. The most recent rating by Wolfe Research, on September 30, 2020, is at an Outperform. At Home Group Inc. (HOME) share has fluctuated between the low range of $1.20 and a high range of $23.92. It has moved up 1166.67% from it 52-weeks low and moved down -36.45% from its 52-weeks high.

Best Buy Co. Inc. (NYSE: BBY)

Best Buy Co. Inc. (NYSE: BBY) rose 2.52% after gaining more than $I2.8 on Thursday. Best Buy Co. Inc. (BBY) share price went from a low point around $48.10 to briefly over $119.48 in the past 52 weeks, though share has since pulled back to $119.48. Best Buy Co. Inc.’s market cap has remained high, hitting $29.20 billion at the time of writing.

Big 5 Sporting Goods Corporation (NASDAQ: BGFV)

Big 5 Sporting Goods Corporation (NASDAQ: BGFV) stock soar by 4.95% to $7.85. The most recent rating by Deutsche Bank, on August 02, 2017, is at a Hold. Big 5 Sporting Goods Corporation (BGFV) share has fluctuated between the low range of $0.65 and a high range of $8.47. It has moved up 1107.69% from it 52-weeks low and moved down -7.32% from its 52-weeks high.

Kirkland’s Inc. (NASDAQ: KIRK)

Kirkland’s Inc. (NASDAQ: KIRK) rose 11.69% after gaining more than $0.96 on Thursday. Kirkland’s Inc. (KIRK) has earlier shared financial results for the 13 and 26-week periods ended August 1, 2020. Looking at its liquidity, this company has a current ratio of 1.00. It has moved up 1537.50% from it 52-weeks low and moved down -32.47% from its 52-weeks high. This company has a market capitalization of $127.74 million at the time of writing.

Stitch Fix Inc. (NASDAQ: SFIX)

Stitch Fix Inc. (NASDAQ: SFIX) last closed at $28.29, in a 52-week range of $10.90 to $31.60. Analysts have a consensus price target of $29.00. Stitch Fix Inc. (SFIX) has traded up 159.54% from its 52-weeks low and traded down -10.47% from its 52-weeks high. This company market capitalization has remained high, hitting $7.29 billion at the time of writing.