NEW YORK -- The convenience store category grew 21.9 percent in sales last year, the highest growth among all categories, according to the second annual Hot 100 Retailers list by Stores Magazine, reports DM News. The department store sector experienced a 21.5 percent growth, continuing its resurgence.

The report provides information of the retail companies reporting the greatest year-over-year revenue percentage growth, including all public companies that logged more than $100 million in sales. The Pantry, a convenience store chain, grew with multiple acquisitions and came in at number five on the list.

“I continue to see convenience stores doing pretty well because they continue to be very well suited for a nation that is one the move,” Susan Reda, executive editor of Stores, told DM News. “They have made a very strong effort to offer more healthy foods, which also strikes a core with today’s consumer.”

Capturing the number-one spot was The Bon-Ton Stores with a revenue increase of 164.3 percent.