- Millennials are an important demographic for brands to win over. Their shopping habits can sometimes make or break an industry.
- The marketing agency Moosylvania has compiled its annual “Millennials’ Top 100 Brands” list for 2019 after surveying 1,000 millennial consumers.
- From Netflix to Adidas, here are the brands that made the cut.
- Visit Business Insider’s homepage for more stories.
Millennials’ spending habits can be destructive to industries that are slow to cater to the powerful demographic’s tastes.
Defined by the Pew Research Center as anyone born between 1981 and 1996, millennials have different spending habits from those of their generational predecessors. Sometimes, retailers need to change their strategies to win over the age group.
Read more: Millennials, baby boomers, Gen X, and Gen Z share their most beloved brands
“They are often branded as being more narcissistic, more idealistic, more socially-conscious, and more experience-oriented than any of their preceding generations,” a Deloitte study published in May said. “They have even been blamed for ruining everything from movies to marriage!”
For the seventh year, the marketing agency Moosylvania has compiled its "Millennials' Top 100 Brands" list based on write-in responses from a national survey with 1,000 respondents ages 19 to 39.
Here are the top brands, according to the survey. Because of ties, 105 brands are represented.
Note: The rankings are Olympic-style, with several ties.
98 (tie). Charlotte Russe
After some success, the women's clothing retailer filed for bankruptcy in February.
98 (tie). Columbia
Columbia is a leader in activewear and sporting apparel.
98 (tie). Great Value
Great Value is one of Walmart's popular in-house brands that offer value versions of name-brand items.
98 (tie). NBA
The National Basketball Association is the North American men's professional basketball league.
98 (tie). Nestlé
Nestlé is the food and beverage company responsible for products like Nesquik and Crunch chocolate.
98 (tie). Olive Garden
The Italian-style restaurant chain is selling a limited number of Lifetime Pasta Passes that gives holders unlimited pasta forever.
98 (tie). Spotify
Spotify took the music industry by storm with its audio streaming platform that gives users access to millions of songs.
98 (tie). Volkswagen
The German automaker released the Arteon sedan in 2018 to replace the slow-selling Volkswagen CC.
93 (tie). The Children's Place
The Children's Place specializes in clothing for young kids.
93 (tie). Ikea
The Swedish furniture-store chain has locations across the globe, many of which feature its signature food court.
93 (tie). Monster Energy
Monster is a brand of energy drinks.
93 (tie). Nordstrom
The department store has managed to cultivate customer loyalty with its Nordstrom Card Holders program.
93 (tie). White Castle
This fast-food chain made Time's list of the most influential burgers of all time in 2014.
92. Hollister
Surf brands have been struggling in general of late, but Hollister, Abercrombie's surfwear brand, is still beloved by millennials. The chain announced it would close some flagship stores in the near future to cut costs.
89 (tie). Funko
Funko caters to fan bases across the board with cute bobble-head figurines.
89 (tie). Tide
Tide detergent pods were at the center of a the tongue-in-cheek (but dangerous) "Tide Pod Challenge" that encouraged people to post videos of them eating the nonedible detergent pods.
89 (tie). Ugg
As ugly fashion becomes bigger, the furry Ugg boots are making a comeback.
88. Ulta
In addition to its beauty stores across the US, Ulta runs a successful online store as well.
82 (tie). Champion
The athletic-apparel company has had a resurgence among young shoppers, thanks largely to collaborations with brands like PacSun and Urban Outfitters that produced nostalgia-based collections honoring 1990s fashion.
82 (tie). Hobby Lobby
Though it was embroiled in controversy, just few years ago, Hobby Lobby is still a millennial favorite for arts and crafts.
82 (tie). Lay's
Lay's is owned by PepsiCo and makes potato chips in a variety of flavors.
82 (tie). Ross
The discount store is rising in popularity as more people opt for discount shopping.
82 (tie). Whole Foods
The Amazon-owned grocery chain is known for its healthy and organic options.
82 (tie). YouTube
Anyone can be a star on YouTube, the Google-owned video platform that has helped launch the career of many influencers.
78 (tie). Asos
The British fashion and cosmetics retailer sells merchandise for men and women and ships to more than 200 countries.
78 (tie). Hulu
Hulu's streaming platform rivals those of Netflix and Amazon Prime, offering its own original content as well.
78 (tie). J.Crew
In July, the company said it was preparing to take its Madewell apparel brand public.
78 (tie). Xbox
The Microsoft-owned brand entices millennials with its innovative gaming systems.
75 (tie). Lucky Brand
The denim company also produces T-shirts, shoes, and accessories.
75 (tie). Lush
Lush makes body, face, and hair products that are 100% vegetarian. Nearly every product in stores is handmade.
75 (tie). Wrangler
Wrangler, the self-proclaimed "authentic American apparel brand," makes denim and Western-style clothing.
74. Dollar Tree
Even as the so-called retail apocalypse rages, discount stores like Dollar Tree have continued to thrive thanks to loyal bargain shoppers.
71 (tie). eBay
Though eBay has faced mounting competition from Amazon, the e-commerce company continues to attract young shoppers with features like personalized fashion selections.
71 (tie). General Mills
General Mills is a multinational food manufacturer with more than 100 brands in more than 100 countries.
71 (tie). Kraft
Kraft has long been a fan favorite with iconic products like its boxed macaroni and cheese. Today the company has a robust product portfolio that represents a significant percentage of the average American grocery store.
70. Supreme
The company drops streetwear that draws lines down New York City streets and sells out online within minutes. Supreme's logo manages to even make a clay brick look cool.
68 (tie). Hot Topic
The topical store, previously known as a haven for goths, punks, and nerds, has managed to remain a mainstay in the American mall as its peers struggle.
68 (tie). Kellogg's
Kellogg's is a multinational food company, best known for popular items like breakfast cereal.
67. Publix
Publix is an American supermarket chain that operates in the Southeastern US and is based in Lakeland, Florida.
66. Converse
The Nike-owned Converse is an American shoe company that boasts iconic styles like the Chuck Taylor that have found enduring appeal over the decades.
65. Doritos
Today there are nearly 20 flavors of Doritos - including classics like Cool Ranch and more obscure varieties like Jacked Ranch-Dipped Hot Wings. The tortilla-style chip company is owned by Frito Lay.
63 (tie). New Balance
New Balance is an apparel and footwear company, known for both its activewear and everyday styles.
63 (tie). Wendy's
Wendy's is a fast-food restaurant chain with locations in 30 countries.
62. JCPenney
Though JCPenney has experienced significant sales struggles in recent years, the department store is working to appeal to younger shoppers with recent efforts like its newly announced partnership with online marketplace ThredUp.
61. HP
HP is a software and information technology company that sells a wide range of products such as laptops, desktops, and printers.
59 (tie). GameStop
GameStop remains a long-held favorite among gaming millennials as their one-stop-shop for consoles, collectibles, and video games.
59 (tie). Reebok
Reebok is a footwear and apparel company that sells iconic styles and has partnerships with buzzy celebrities like Gigi Hadid, Ariana Grande, and Gal Gadot.
58. Ralph Lauren
Ralph Lauren is a luxury fashion company, as well as the official outfitter for the US Olympic team.
57. LG
LG is an electronics company that sells a wide variety of home-entertainment products and appliances, including televisions, sound systems, refrigerators, and washing machines.
54 (tie). Forever 21
Forever 21 is a fast-fashion chain known for its low-priced, stylish clothing.
54 (tie). H-E-B
H-E-B is a San Antonio, Texas-based grocery store chain that operates its home state and New Mexico.
54 (tie). Levi's
Levi's is an American clothing company, best known for its iconic denim styles.
53. Bath & Body Works
Bath & Body Works is one of the strongest-performing companies in the L Brands portfolio and sells personal care and bath products.
51 (tie). Hershey's
Hershey's is one of the largest chocolate manufacturers in the world.
51 (tie). PlayStation
The various PlayStation systems have been among the most popular video game consoles in the world.
50. Puma
Puma is a German activewear and shoe company that just opened its first North American flagship store in Manhattan.
49. H&M
H&M is a Swedish global fast-fashion chain with more than 4,000 stores in 72 countries.
48. Nissan
Nissan is a Japanese automobile company.
47. TJ Maxx
TJ Maxx is a discount goods store with more than 1,200 stores in the US.
46. Pink, Victoria's Secret
Though Victoria's Secret has taken a reputational hit in recent years, its Pink collection continues to be a favorite among younger shoppers.
45. Trader Joe's
The nautical-themed grocery store is famous for its low prices, in-house products, and charming store design.
44. Jeep
Jeep is an American automobile brand best known for its SUVs and popular models like the Jeep Wrangler.
43. Meijer
Meijer is a supermarket chain popular in the Midwestern US.
42. Macy's
Macy's is an American department store that has recently worked to appeal to younger shoppers with new additions like Story, its Instagram-friendly curated pop-up store centered on rotating themes.
41. Chipotle
The Newport Beach, California-based Chipotle is a fast-casual food restaurant known for its popular foil-wrapped burritos and burrito bowls.
40. Express
Express is an American fashion company, with stylish apparel for both men and women, and new programs like Express Style Trial, a monthly rental service.
39. Gucci
Gucci is a luxury fashion company that routinely tops the charts of hottest and buzziest brands thanks in large part to its creative director Alessandro Michele. He is credited with breathing new life into the company when he took the role in 2015.
38. Netflix
Netflix is a media-services and entertainment company popular that offers unlimited video streaming for a monthly fee. In recent years, the company began rolling a bevy of original programming that has been popular among millennial and Gen Z viewers.
37. Aldi
Aldi is the namesake grocery store of the family-owned German discount grocery-store company.
36. Tesla
Tesla is an American automotive, energy, and technology company, best known for electric cars and solar panels.
34 (tie). Honda
The Japanese automaker holds a nearly 18% share of the US passenger car - or non-SUV - market.
34 (tie). Marvel
The comic book and entertainment company is responsible for millennial movie hits surrounding characters such as Iron Man and Spider-Man.
33. Sephora
Sephora carries a multitude of beauty brands and products, including its own label.
32. Best Buy
The electronics retailer has a partnership with Apple, which allows customers to get their Apple products repaired at every Best Buy location in the US.
31. Jordan
The Jordan brand's collaboration with Nike has yielded sneakers that can resell for as much as $20,000.
30. Vans
The classic Vans Ward was one of the best-selling sneakers in the first half of 2019.
29. Ford
The American automaker sells luxury cars under the Lincoln brand.
28. Taco Bell
In addition to a cult following, Taco Bell recently opened a pop-up hotel and resort in Palm Springs, California. It sold out within minutes.
27. Chick-fil-A
Chick-fil-A is the third-largest fast-food chain in the US by sales. The company is family-owned and reliant on Christian values.
26. Dr. Pepper
Dr. Pepper appeals to millennials with its smooth taste.
25. American Eagle
The teen retailer has had great success with Aerie, its body-positive undergarments brand that has become a formidable rival for Victoria's Secret.
23 (tie). Kroger
Kroger is the largest grocery chain in the US. The chain has 2,764 stores and an e-commerce channel for online orders.
23 (tie). Victoria's Secret
Victoria's Secret has been battling an image that it has not changed enough for current consumer tastes.
22. McDonald's
The fast-food chain is one of the most recognizable restaurants in the world, serving up classics like the Egg McMuffin and Happy Meals.
21. Chevrolet
Colloquially referred to as Chevy, the carmaker is famous for its pickup trucks.
20. Kohl's
Kohl's sells everything from home goods to clothes. It recently announced a partnership with Amazon to accept returns for the e-commerce retailer in all its stores, which helped boost store traffic.
19. Old Navy
Once the sister company to Gap, Old Navy announced in February that it would be splitting off from the less profitable company after it reported soaring sales in 2018.
18. Toyota
Toyota has a lot of popular cars in its catalog, but the automaker recently garnered attention when it revealed its interesting lineup of vehicles that would be used in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
17. Under Armour
Under Armour has recently hit a rough patch, spurred by a failure to hit certain revenue forecasts. However, the innovative sports-wear company has still found a niche in the hearts of millennials.
16. Starbucks
At this point, Starbucks is probably synonymous with millennial culture. This year, the coffee chain launched its famous Pumpkin Spice Latte at the earliest release date ever, on August 27.
15. Costco
There's no better place to pick up a six-month supply of Craisins than Costco, the fan-favorite, membership-based wholesaler.
14. Disney
Beyond its theme parks, Disney is rising in the ranks of entertainment. The company is even entering the streaming wars with its own streaming service, Disney Plus.
13. Sony
The Japanese electronics and gaming company is responsible for the PlayStation.
12. Nintendo
The company's Nintendo Switch console has helped the brand soar among younger consumers with its mix of nostalgia and innovative gaming.
11. Microsoft
Microsoft's Xbox gaming systems most likely keep millennials in love with the brand.
10. Pepsi
Pepsi is the longstanding rival to Coca-Cola. The company recently announced it would launch the first nitrogen-infused soft drink, called Nitro Pepsi.
9. Coke
Coke or Pepsi? In this case, Coca-Cola takes the gold by just one rank. The soft drink is one of the most iconic sodas in the world, sold in all but two countries.
8. Adidas
Falling behind only Nike, Adidas is another popular shoemaker and athletic-wear company known for its classic Stan Smith sneakers and collaborations with artists like Kanye West.
7. Google
Google is the top search engine. It's no wonder the word itself has colloquially and commonly been transformed into a verb meaning to look up a piece of information.
6. Samsung
Samsung is more than the counterpart to Apple - the company's sleek smartphones have some millennials ditching iPhones without looking back.
5. Target
Target has recently been soaring in terms of sales. The superstore sells items as varied as electronics and clothes, and it recently announced a new in-house grocery line.
4. Walmart
From the grocery sector to e-commerce, Walmart is constantly growing. The store's low prices and diverse inventory make it a fan favorite.
3. Nike
The sportswear brand is considered the leader in sneakers and athletic wear, outranking competitors like Adidas and Under Armour.
2. Apple
Apple creates millennial technology staples like the iPhone and the Apple Watch and is constantly ranked among the top brands worshipped by younger and older adults alike.
1. Amazon
After placing third in last year's poll, the e-commerce giant has climbed to the most loved brand among millennials. Amazon has its hands in a multitude of retail sectors including beauty, grocery, and technology.