Forget everything you've heard about the sluggish economy and tough retail climate. The companies I've highlighted below have the fastest growing profits in the industry. Let's take a look at what they're doing right and whether earnings are sustainable.
Work it out
It stands to logic that selling $98 yoga pants during an economic downturn is a bad business plan. However, yoga lifestyle retailer lululemon athletica
Lululemon sets the bar in technical fabrics, and the quality of the product enables it to charge a premium for the merchandise. But the company's success has spurred strong competition from much larger retailers including Limited Brands
Invest in your future
Fashion footwear and accessories brand Steven Madden
The company continues to invest in its future through acquisitions. Most recently, Madden agreed to pay $29 million for Canadian licensee SM Canada. The deal should generate additional revenue for the brand in the year ahead. Strategic buys give me confidence that this stock will outperform the broader market in the year ahead. That's why I'm giving Steven Madden a green thumbs-up in Motley Fool CAPS.
Make up your mind
Beauty product and salon company Ulta Salon, Cosmetics & Fragrance
For Ulta's most recent quarter, profit increased 58% on stronger sales and profit margins. Ulta boasts 29% three-year average profit growth, with a 79% average total return. The company hopes to keep up its strong performance through expansion plans. Ulta said it aims to achieve 22% square-footage growth this year by adding 100 stores and remodeling 21 others.
Which of these three stocks do you think will outperform that market this year? Let me know in the comments below. While you're at it, add these stocks to My Watchlist -- The Motley Fool's free tool that lets you track and monitor your favorite companies.