The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) had a roaring 2021 – it gained 13% – but many of its retail constituents performed better.
The index doesn't include many retailers, but some of those that earned their way into its ranks proved that they belong there last year.
Let's take a look at which retailers were the top performing ASX 200 shares in their class in 2021.
Here are the 5 top performing ASX 200 retail shares of 2021
Premier Investments Limited (ASX: PMV) – gained 28.9%
The Premier Investments share price outperformed all its peers last year, surging from where it ended 2020 – $23.51 – to finish 2021 at $30.32.
Those who frequent shopping centres have likely seen the company's brands. It owns the likes of Smiggle, Jay Jays, Peter Alexander, and Dotti.
A trading update in January got the stock off to the right start last year and its continued strong performance kept it on track.
Super Retail Group Ltd (ASX: SUL) – gained 18.3%
After closing 2020 at $10.53, the Super Retail share price took off over 2021 to end the year at $12.46 – a gain of 18.32%.
Like Premier Investments, shoppers will probably be familiar with the company's brands, which include BCF, Rebel, and Supercheap Auto.
The best day of 2021 for the Super Retail share price came on 7 October when it gained 7%, potentially spurred by a broker upgrade.
Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES) – gained 17.6%
ASX 200 giant Wesfarmers has landed on this list, taking out the final medal for retail shares.
The company's stock grew from $50.40 at the end of 2020 to finish 2021 at $59.30.
Over 2021, Wesfarmers worked to takeover the owner of Priceline stores, Australian Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd (ASX: API).
The company operates retail stores including Kmart, Officeworks, and Bunnings.
Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW) – gained 14%
The Woolworths share price also outperformed the market in 2021 – just.
Its stock was swapping hands for $33.30 at the end of 2020. Come the final session of 2021, it closed at $38.01. That represents a 14.1% gain.
The major news of Woolworths last year was, of course, the demerger of Endeavour Group Ltd (ASX: EDV).
Through the demerger, the company spun out its drinks businesses, including Dan Murphy's and BWS, into a stand-alone ASX-listed company.
Harvey Norman Holdings Limited (ASX: HVN) – gained 5.3%
Finally, while the Harvey Norman share price didn't manage to beat the market last year, it did land itself in fifth place on this list.
The stock started the year off well, surging to a multi-year high of $4.93. Then, in February, it hit a 10 year high of $5.68.
Harvey Norman didn't hold onto those early gains. It ended the year trading at $4.94. Though, that's still higher than where it finished 2020 – at $4.69.
That's despite the company's share price falling all 3 times the company released periodic earnings last year. First in February, again in August, and once more in November.
