In a survey analysing the popularity of various online search engines for online retailing, Amazon.com ranked as the most preferred website for the second consecutive year. The October edition of Stores magazine carried a list of "Favorite 50" stores, compiled by Stores and Big Research. eBay occupied the second spot, followed by Walmart. The fourth and fifth slots were won by Best Buy and J.C. Penney.

Target featured at No. 6, Google at No.7, Overstock.com at No.8, Kohl's at No.9 and Sears at No. 10. The new entrants to the top 50 were Banana Republic at No. 41, Bed Bath and Beyond at No.42 and Barnes and Noble at No.50.

According to the Stores magazine, the research is an indicator of how well the stores have been successful in supplying as per the consumers demand.