Quarterly earnings results are a good time to check in on a company’s progress, especially compared to its peers in the same sector. Today we are looking at Kohl's (NYSE: KSS) and the best and worst performers in the general merchandise retail industry.

General merchandise retailers–also called broadline retailers–know you’re busy and don’t want to drive around wasting time and gas, so they offer a one-stop shop. Convenience is the name of the game, so these stores may sell clothing in one section, toys in another, and home decor in a third. This concept has evolved over time from department stores to more niche concepts targeting bargain hunters or young adults, and e-commerce has forced these retailers to be extra sharp in their value propositions to consumers, whether that’s unique product or competitive prices.

The 8 general merchandise retail stocks we track reported a very strong Q1. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 2.5% while next quarter’s revenue guidance was 2.2% above.

In light of this news, share prices of the companies have held steady as they are up 4.6% on average since the latest earnings results.

Slowest Q1: Kohl's (NYSE: KSS)

Founded as a corner grocery store in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Kohl’s (NYSE: KSS) is a department store chain that sells clothing, cosmetics, electronics, and home goods.

Kohl's reported revenues of $3.17 billion, down 2% year on year. This print was in line with analysts’ expectations, and overall, it was a satisfactory quarter for the company with a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates but full-year EPS guidance missing analysts’ expectations.

Michael Bender, Kohl’s Chief Executive Officer, said “We are pleased with our start to 2026. Our key initiatives continue to drive progressive improvements to the business, resulting in our best comparable sales performance in over four years. In addition, we continue to manage the business with great discipline leading to strong expense management, cleaner inventories, and an improved balance sheet.”

Kohl's delivered the slowest revenue growth of the whole group. Interestingly, the stock is up 33.4% since reporting and currently trades at $17.25.

Is now the time to buy Kohl's? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Best Q1: Five Below (NASDAQ: FIVE)

Often facilitating a treasure hunt shopping experience, Five Below (NASDAQ: FIVE) is an American discount retailer that sells a variety of products from mobile phone cases to candy to sports equipment for largely $5 or less.

Five Below reported revenues of $1.29 billion, up 32.5% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 5.7%. The business had an exceptional quarter with EPS guidance for next quarter exceeding analysts’ expectations and full-year EPS guidance exceeding analysts’ expectations.

Five Below scored the highest guidance raise, fastest revenue growth, and highest full-year guidance raise among its peers. Although it had a fine quarter compared to its peers, the market seems unhappy with the results as the stock is down 9.1% since reporting. It currently trades at $202.63.

Is now the time to buy Five Below? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Ollie's (NASDAQ: OLLI)

Often located in suburban or semi-rural shopping centers, Ollie’s Bargain Outlet (NASDAQ: OLLI) is a discount retailer that acquires excess inventory then sells at meaningful discounts.

Ollie's reported revenues of $658.9 million, up 14.2% year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 0.7%. Still, its results were good as it locked in a solid beat of analysts’ EBITDA and gross margin estimates.

Ollie's delivered the weakest performance against analyst estimates and weakest full-year guidance update in the group. As expected, the stock is down 16.4% since the results and currently trades at $66.27.

Read our full analysis of Ollie’s results here.

Burlington (NYSE: BURL)

Founded in 1972 as a discount coat and outerwear retailer, Burlington Stores (NYSE: BURL) is now an off-price retailer that has broadened into general apparel, footwear, and home goods.

Burlington reported revenues of $2.86 billion, up 14.1% year on year. This result beat analysts’ expectations by 2.7%. It was a very strong quarter as it also put up EPS guidance for next quarter exceeding analysts’ expectations and an impressive beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

Burlington had the weakest guidance update of the whole group. The stock is up 5.9% since reporting and currently trades at $345.39.

Read our full, actionable report on Burlington here, it’s free.

Ross Stores (NASDAQ: ROST)

Selling excess inventory or overstocked items from other retailers, Ross Stores (NASDAQ: ROST) is an off-price concept that sells apparel and other goods at prices much lower than department stores.

Ross Stores reported revenues of $6.01 billion, up 20.6% year on year. This number surpassed analysts’ expectations by 6.6%. Overall, it was an exceptional quarter as it also produced EPS guidance for next quarter exceeding analysts’ expectations and an impressive beat of analysts’ gross margin estimates.

Ross Stores achieved the biggest analyst estimate beat among its peers. The stock is up 7.6% since reporting and currently trades at $233.73.

Read our full, actionable report on Ross Stores here, it’s free.

Market Update

Over the past year, investors have been forced to repeatedly answer the same question: what is the market’s biggest risk? The answer has changed several times, and each shift has reshaped market leadership.

Late in 2025 and early 2026, artificial intelligence became the market’s primary uncertainty. Investors questioned whether AI would erode software pricing power and weaken competitive moats as AI made it easier to replicate once-differentiated products.

By the spring, technology took a back seat to geopolitics. The U.S. conflict with Iran briefly became the market’s dominant narrative, raising concerns about oil prices, inflation, and global growth. But as energy markets remained orderly and fears of a prolonged supply disruption faded, investors quickly turned their focus back to fundamentals.

Want to invest in winners with rock-solid fundamentals? Check out our Strong Momentum Stocks and add them to your watchlist. These companies are poised for growth regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate.