Top Retail Stocks to Watch for a Black Friday Surge

With the holiday shopping season looming, analysts at Zacks Investment Research highlight several U.S. retailers that could benefit significantly from Black Friday and year‑end deals. Their picks include powerhouse e‑commerce and department‑store stocks — plus a few apparel names that appear undervalued and ripe for a rebound. ✅ Who should investors keep an eye on: Macy's, Inc. (M) – Once on shaky footing, Macy’s has delivered some strong quarterly earnings surprises and raised its guidance. Its “Reimagine 125” initiative — which overhauls and modernizes select stores — combined with growing online sales, are fueling optimism that Macy’s could rebound during this holiday season. Amazon.com, Inc. (AMZN) – As the undisputed king of online shopping, Amazon remains a top Black Friday bet. It’s seen as a “buy‑the‑dip” candidate whose diversified business — from retail to cloud services and advertising — helps insulate it from broader market uncertainties. Anticipated strong Q4 sales only add to its appeal. 👟 Apparel & Footwear Plays With Upside Potential Crocs, Inc. (CROX) – Crocs is singled out as a “Strong Buy.” Analysts point to upward revisions in its earnings estimates for FY 2025 and FY 2026, its relatively low forward earnings multiple, and a rebound in brand strength that could drive gains if demand rises. lululemon athletica (LULU) – Though currently rated “Hold,” Lululemon could be an interesting turnaround candidate. Its valuation has cooled after a past dip, and bullish long-term prospects — particularly with a loyal customer base — mean it could benefit if holiday shopping rebounds. 📈 The Big Picture: Why It Matters According to Zacks, this holiday season could push total retail sales to over $1 trillion, the first time ever. That sets the stage for major upside — especially for retailers that handle online shopping well and have strong brand loyalty. For investors, the mix of stable giants (like Amazon and Macy’s) and high‑potential apparel stocks (like Crocs and lululemon) offers a way to balance risk and reward — aiming to ride the November–December shopping wave without going all‑in on a single strategy. && #BlackFriday #RetailStocks #StockMarket #Investing && #BlackFriday #RetailStocks #StockMarket #Investing #SlimScan #GrowthStocks #CANSLIM