Originally published on Best Stocks Category: best stocks to buy now Source: Getty ImagesThe retail sector has been an important part of the economy for decades, and it continues to grow. In fact, global retail sales are expected to reach $28 trillion by 2021, and specialty retailers are a major part of that industry. With more and more consumers shopping online instead of visiting physical stores, specialty retailers have thrived by focusing on smaller niches rather than trying to compete with general merchandise chains like Walmart or Target. These specialty retailers target specific audiences or interests with their products, whether that be outdoor enthusiasts, pet lovers, young adults, or fashionistas. They sell clothing, accessories, beauty products, home goods – practically anything you can think of. With so many different specialty retail stocks to choose from in this booming market segment, here is an overview of the top specialist retailers worth investing in now and continuing to watch over the next few years.Bed, Bath and Beyond Inc.Bed, Bath and Beyond is a retailer specializing in home and kitchen staples as well as seasonal items. The company was founded in 1982 and has been trading on the New York Stock Exchange since 1995. It has multiple store formats, including the traditional BBBY, BigBBY, and BBBY Des Moines stores, in addition to the BBW and Harmon store concepts. The company has been profitable for 35 straight years, and it has grown substantially over that period of time. In 1982, BBBY had three locations and generated $2.7 million in revenue. As of 2017, the company had 838 locations, $11.5 billion in annual sales, and $1.3 billion in profit. In 2018, BBBY acquired General Parts International, a company that sells bathroom and kitchen supplies online. This acquisition will enable BBBY to offer its products to millions of consumers via online retail channels, an important trend in the retail sector over the last few years.Tractor Supply Co.A retailer of farm supplies and livestock feed, Tractor Supply Co. started as a mail-order business in 1938. It opened its first retail location in 1952 and took its current name in 1958. The company has been listed on the New York Stock Exchange since 2005. Tractor Supply Co.’s products help farmers and ranchers raise animals, maintain their equipment, and improve the aesthetics of their properties. The company has more than 1,300 locations in 26 states and generates $11 billion in annual sales. Tractor Supply Co. has proved to be an excellent investment in recent years, as its stock price has grown significantly since 2012. The retail farm industry is expected to grow by 7% per year through 2022, and Tractor Supply Co. stands to benefit from this trend. The company has also been investing in e-commerce to reach more customers, and its online revenue has grown significantly in recent years.Ulta Beauty Inc.Ulta Beauty is a specialty retailer of beauty products, including cosmetics and skincare. The company was founded in 1990 and has been listed on the New York Stock Exchange since 2006. Ulta Beauty has more than 1,800 stores in 48 states, and it generates $10 billion in annual sales. The company has seen significant growth in recent years, generating $2 billion in revenue in 2006, $4 billion in 2011, $6 billion in 2012, $7 billion in 2013, $8 billion in 2014, and $9 billion in 2015. Ulta Beauty is well positioned to take advantage of the global trend towards health and wellness. The company has also invested in online retail, enabling it to reach millions more consumers.Limited Brands Inc.Limited Brands Inc. is a specialty retailer of lingerie, apparel, jewelry, and other products. The company was founded in 1972 and has been publicly traded since 1987. It has two main brands: Victoria’s Secret and Bath and Body Works, both of which it operates through company-owned stores. The company’s Victoria’s Secret brand has more than 4,000 stores in more than 30 countries. Bath and Body Works has more than 2,500 locations in the United States and Canada. Limited Brands Inc. has been profitable for all but three years since 1987, and it has grown significantly over that period of time. The company generated $518 million in revenue in 1987, $2.7 billion in 2000, $11.6 billion in 2010, and $13.5 billion in 2017.Electronic Arts Inc.Electronic Arts Inc. is a computer and video game publisher. The company was founded in 1982 and has been listed on the New York Stock Exchange since 1991. Electronic Arts Inc. has a portfolio of popular video game franchises, including FIFA, Madden, and NBA. The company generated $4.5 billion in revenue in 2017, up from $3.8 billion in 2012. Electronic Arts Inc. has expanded its operations to keep pace with the growing gaming industry and has also invested in e-commerce to maintain its reach to consumers. The gaming industry is expected to grow by at least 7% per year through 2022, and Electronic Arts Inc. stands to benefit from this trend.GameStop Corp.GameStop Corp. is a specialty retailer of video games, hardware, and other products related to gaming. The company was founded in the 1980s and has been publicly traded since 2005. GameStop Corp.’s brands include GameStop and EB Games. GameStop Corp. has more than 8,000 stores in 15 countries. The company generated $9 billion in revenue in 2017 and has seen significant growth in recent years. In 2012, GameStop Corp. generated $8 billion in revenue. In 2017, that number jumped to $9 billion. The gaming industry is expected to grow at a healthy rate through 2022, and GameStop Corp. stands to benefit from this trend.Foot Locker Inc.Foot Locker Inc. is a specialty retailer of athletic footwear and apparel. The company was founded in 1898 and has been publicly traded since 1979. Foot Locker Inc. has more than 3,400 stores in 23 countries. The company generated $9 billion in revenue in 2017, up from $7 billion in 2012. Foot Locker Inc. has also been investing in e-commerce to reach more customers. The athletic footwear industry is expected to grow by 7% per year through 2022, and Foot Locker Inc. stands to benefit from this trend.Concluding Words: Wrapping upRetail is a huge and important industry, and specialty retailers are a significant part of that sector. From apparel and footwear to electronics and beauty products, these companies sell products to just about everyone. In this environment, it can be helpful to invest in a few stocks that have shown a consistent ability to grow over time. With these stocks, you can participate in the growth of the entire sector while benefiting from the specific strengths of these businesses.