Best 14 Retail Brands on Instagram

When it comes to Instagram, retail brands know how to put on a show. Some stand out with a strategic blend of aesthetics, engagement and creativity, turning captive followers into active consumers. But how do they do it? 

In this blog, we’ll be examining the top retail brands that set trends and drive results on Instagram. Whether it’s through compelling visuals, authentic storytelling or smart use of features like Reels and Stories, these brands have cracked the code. 

Some of the best retail brands know how to combine style, convenience and customer-centric strategies — here are the top 14 retail brands on social media sharing trend-driven content and weaving seamless shopping experiences into their social commerce strategies

The data below was collected from January 1 to August 1, 2024, from 7,375 retail brands. Overall, the average retail industry engagement rate is 0.27%, and the overall average follower growth rate is 3.82%. The following brands are sorted from highest to lowest engagement rate.

1. Ticket Network (@ticketnetwork)

• Engagement rate: 123.82% 
• Followers: 1.6K
• Follower growth rate: 169.85%

Ticket Network’s Instagram feed is a vibrant showcase of live events, concerts and experiences that gets followers excited about what’s happening in the media and entertainment industry. Their posts highlight major events, exclusive ticket deals and fan experiences, creating a strong sense of anticipation. With a mix of eye-catching event imagery and promotional offers, Ticket Network knows how to tap into the excitement of live entertainment while driving engagement.

Their success lies in the incredibly high engagement rate of 123.82%, which indicates that their small but highly active community is deeply invested in the content. With a follower growth rate of 169.85%, the brand is rapidly expanding its reach, likely due to its targeted promotions, like discounts on ticket sales and shareable, event-driven content. While it’s challenging to point to one specific reason for its rapid audience growth, its massive follower growth can be attributed to the post-pandemic live event boom — with cultural events like Beyoncé’s Renaissance tour and Taylor Swift’s Eras tours have added approximately $5.4 billion dollars to the US GDP, consumers are seeking more ways to buy tickets and win tickets to sold-out shows.

This strategy of engaging a passionate audience around exciting events creates a loyal following that continues to grow while driving ticket sales for a variety of events. 

 2. TYPEBEA (@typebea)

• Engagement rate: 63.36% 
• Followers: 14.9K
• Follower growth rate: 677,650%

TYPEBEA’s Instagram feed is a sleek and curated blend of minimalist design, modern typography and creative inspiration, founded by Anna Lahey and celebrity founder Rita Ora. Every post feels intentional, while showcasing their clean aesthetic and appealing to user’s interested in haircare, but also design enthusiasts. The feed often features bold, engaging visuals paired with thoughtful messaging.

The success of their strategy is reflected in their staggering follower growth rate of over 14 million percent, suggesting an explosive rise in popularity in 2024. With an impressive engagement rate of 63.36%, TYPEBEA has managed to cultivate a highly interactive and invested following through community-based marketing. Its extreme follower growth rate is largely attributed to its relevantly low account age (its account was started in April 2024) and rapid follower growth in less than a year — this follower growth rate will likely decline as its account ages.  

By focusing on quality content that speaks directly to design lovers and the influencer of a celebrity founder, TYPEBEA turns followers into loyal advocates, driving both brand recognition and sustained growth.

3. Next Base (@nextbase)

• Engagement rate: 36.67% 
• Followers: 51K
• Follower growth rate: 15.62%

Next Base’s Instagram feed focuses on showcasing its dash cams and the practical benefits they offer, from enhancing road safety to capturing unexpected moments on the road. The content strikes a balance between informative and engaging, with real-life footage from dash cams, product features and user testimonials. They also leverage user-generated content to highlight real-world scenarios where their products have made a difference, building credibility with potential customers.

Their strategy succeeds because it connects with their audience through relatable and authentic content. By featuring real footage and customer stories, Next Base builds trust while emphasizing the value of its products in everyday driving situations. This approach drives engagement and positions the brand as a leader in the dashcam market.

4. Celsius Canada (@celsius_canada)

• Engagement rate: 30.60% 
• Followers: 6K
• Follower growth rate: 1558.72%

Celsius Canada’s Instagram feed is vibrant and energetic, much like the brand itself. The feed focuses on fitness, wellness and active lifestyles, often featuring influencers, athletes and everyday users enjoying their Celsius drinks before workouts or on the go. The content is bright, upbeat and visually appealing, emphasizing the brand’s core message of providing energy and boosting performance. Posts typically highlight the product’s benefits, like increased energy and metabolism support.

Their strategy is clearly working, with an impressive engagement rate of 30.60% and a follower growth rate of 1,558.72%, which can likely be attributed to being a fairly young account and the recent introduction into the Canadian CPG market. By leveraging influencer partnerships and user-generated content, Celsius Canada expands its North American audience with similar content that contributed to their boom in the United States. 

5. Sandy Liang (@sandyliang) 

• Engagement rate: 4.68% 
• Followers: 476K
• Follower growth rate: 14.01%

Sandy Liang’s Instagram feed reflects the brand’s unique blend of playful, nostalgic and fashion-forward aesthetics. The feed is a curated mix of runway looks, behind-the-scenes moments and creative inspiration that resonates with its fashion-savvy audience. Sandy Liang's signature style — fusing youthful, whimsical elements with streetwear and modern silhouettes — is evident throughout the content, giving followers a front-row seat to the brand’s evolving collections and collaborations.

With a solid engagement rate of 4.68% and 476K followers, Sandy Liang’s strategy clearly connects with its audience. The follower growth rate of 14.01% indicates steady expansion, likely driven by the brand’s ability to stay relevant and create buzz in the fashion world. By maintaining a strong visual identity and fostering a community that appreciates unique, artistic fashion, Sandy Liang cultivates loyalty and drives brand visibility, making them a standout in the industry. 

6. Barnes & Noble (@barnesandnoble)

• Engagement rate: 0.36% 
• Followers: 955K
• Follower growth rate: 5.73%

Barnes & Noble’s Instagram feed is a book lover’s dream, filled with cozy, aesthetically pleasing images that transport you straight into a reading nook. Its account masters the art of showcasing books in a way that sparks curiosity and draws engagement, through vibrant covers, exciting events or funny, relevant memes. Its tone feels warm and personal, making followers feel like they’re part of a larger reading community. 

What sets their strategy apart is the balance between promoting new releases and encouraging conversations about literature. Through polls, quizzes and relatable humour, Barnes & Noble maintains a fairly consistent 5.73% follower growth rate, while encouraging  its audience to interact and visit their online and brick and mortor storefronts. This engagement-focused strategy builds loyalty which translates into stronger customer relationships. 

7. Patagonia (@patagonia)

• Engagement rate: 0.29% 
• Followers: 5.4M
• Follower growth rate: 2.32%

Patagonia’s Instagram feed is a seamless blend of stunning outdoor photography and purpose-driven content. Each post feels like an invitation to explore nature while highlighting the brand’s commitment to environmental activism. From showcasing breathtaking landscapes to spotlighting grassroots movements and sustainabile practices, Patagonia uses its platform to tell stories that align with its eco-conscious ethos. Patagonia’s strategy works because it goes beyond selling products — they’ve cultivated a loyal community by focusing on shared values, encouraging followers to take action on climate issues. With a steady follower growth rate of 2.32%, their authentic, mission-driven content strengthens their brand identity and customer relationships, pushing Patagonia beyond simply a retailer — its a lifestyle. 

8. Boots UK (@bootsuk)

• Engagement rate: 0.14% 
• Followers: 1.6K
• Follower growth rate: 1.82%

Boots UK’s Instagram feed blends beauty, health and wellness content that caters to a broad audience. From skincare tips and makeup tutorials to showcasing the latest health products, Boots presents itself as a one-stop shop for everyday essentials. The feed is bright, approachable and informative, with posts that highlight affordable and effective products and seasonal promotions that keep followers coming back for more.

Its strategy works as it combines educational content with product promotion, making the feed useful and engaging. By collaborating with beauty influencers, sharing customer reviews and offering practical advice, Boots UK builds trust and establishes it as a powerhouse UK brand. This approach strengthens their brand image as a trusted health and beauty retailer and helps drive conversions by positioning products in a way that feels relevant to customers’ daily routines.

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9. Selfridges (@theofficialselfridges)

• Engagement rate: 0.12% 
• Followers: 1.1M
• Follower growth rate: 0.46%

Selfridges’ Instagram feed is a vibrant display of luxury, creativity and culture. The account perfectly captures the essence of high-end fashion, beauty and even art, with bold visuals and cutting-edge content that reflects its status as a premium department store. From showcasing the latest designer collections to featuring exclusive collaborations and in-store events, Selfridges generates a sense of excitement and exclusivity.

Their strategy seemingly thrives on blending commerce with culture. By leveraging visually striking content and tapping into fashion trends, art and sustainability initiatives, Selfridges maintains a modest growth rate while showcasing products and crafting a larger narrative about innovation and luxury. Its modest engagement and growth rate could be attributed to a few factors — a luxury brand identity might have more niche appeal than a broader retail brand, prompting slightly less engagement among followers. However, its approach positions the brand as a cultural tastemaker and helps drive traffic online and in-store. 

10. Net-a-Porter (@netaporter)

• Engagement rate: 0.10% 
• Followers: 5.5M
• Follower growth rate: 0.13%

Net-a-Porter’s Instagram feed is a polished showcase of high-end fashion, featuring a carefully curated mix of editorial-style imagery, runway highlights and product features. Its posts emphasize designer pieces and the latest fashion trends, with a feed that feels like a digital fashion magazine. This appeals to a sophisticated, style-conscious audience. The content is visually stunning and aspirational, offering followers a glimpse into the world of exclusive fashion and luxury lifestyles.

Although their engagement rate is low at 0.10% and follower growth is relatively slow at 0.13%, Net-a-Porter’s strategy remains successful by reinforcing its position as a leader in luxury social commerce. The brand's ability to consistently deliver high-quality, aspirational content keeps them relevant in a highly competitive market. Their focus on premium storytelling and aspirational imagery strengthens brand awareness and maintains their connection to a large, loyal audience who views the brand as an authority in luxury fashion.

11. Revolve (@revolve)

• Engagement rate: 0.10%
• Followers: 1.6K
• Follower growth rate: 2.66%

Revolve’s Instagram feed is the epitome of influencer-driven, aspirational fashion. With sun-soaked shots of stylish influencers, destination events and curated outfits, the feed offers glimpses of an aspirational lifestyle and trendsetting styles. Revolve seamlessly blends influencer content with product highlights in their shoppable feed, helping to drive sales and turn social traffic into conversions.

What makes Revolve’s Instagram strategy successful is its ability to tap into influencer marketing and community-building. With a 2.66% follower growth rate, Revolve generates exclusivity and hype through its influencer partnerships and hosting exclusive events like Revolve Festival, encouraging people to follow their favorite influencers on their trip. This combination of FOMO (fear of missing out) marketing and highly curated content keeps the brand at the forefront of social media and continuously drives engagement and sales.

12. Harrods (@harrods)

• Engagement rate: 0.09% 
• Followers: 1.9M
• Follower growth rate: 0.61%

Harrods’ Instagram feed is an opulent showcase of luxury, featuring high-end fashion, fine dining, beauty, and exclusive experiences. Every post exudes elegance, with a strong focus on premier brands, designer collaborations, and curated lifestyle content that reflects Harrods’ position as one of the world’s most iconic department stores. The feed’s sophisticated visuals capture the attention of its affluent audience, offering a glimpse into the refined world of luxury shopping at Harrods.

While Harrods’ engagement rate is 0.09% and their follower growth rate is 0.61%, their strategy succeeds by reinforcing their brand's prestige and exclusivity. The carefully curated content appeals to luxury consumers, who are more focused on aspirational experiences than frequent interaction. Harrods effectively uses Instagram to showcase its premium offerings and maintain its status as a global luxury destination, driving brand awareness and loyalty among high-end shoppers.

13. Bloomingdales (@bloomingdales)

• Engagement rate: 0.08% 
• Followers: 1M
• Follower growth rate: 1.52%

Bloomingdale's Instagram feed is a chic, fashion-forward mix of contemporary style, luxury products and seasonal trends. The feed often highlights designer collaborations, exclusive collections and curated outfits, appealing to a style-conscious audience. By integrating bold visuals with lifestyle content, Bloomingdale’s offers followers a blend of fashion inspiration and shopping opportunities, while also promoting in-store events and experiences, like runway shows, that enhance the brand's appeal.

With an engagement rate of 0.08% and a follower growth rate of 1.52%, Bloomingdale’s strategy is successful in maintaining a steady, growing presence. The brand focuses on staying relevant in the ever-changing world of fashion, which resonates with its audience. Its curated content helps drive brand loyalty and keeps its followers engaged, even if interaction metrics are lower than average, reinforcing its status as a key player in the fashion retail space.

14. Neiman Marcus (@neimanmarcus)

• Engagement rate: 0.07% 
• Followers: 1.6M
• Follower growth rate: 0.16%

Neiman Marcus’ Instagram feed blends high-fashion, beauty and lifestyle content that reflects the brand's long-standing reputation in the luxury retail space. The feed regularly features designer collections, curated looks and exclusive events, presented with a polished, upscale aesthetic. By showcasing the latest trends and luxury products, Neiman Marcus inspires its followers to indulge in the high-end shopping experience it offers.

Despite a low engagement rate of 0.07% and a fairly modest follower growth rate of 0.16%, Neiman Marcus’ strategy still supports its image as a premier luxury retailer. The focus on visually rich content and exclusive offerings keeps its audience engaged. While interaction metrics may be lower, the brand successfully maintains its relevance and prestige in the fashion industry by continuing to attract a clientele that values luxury and exclusivity.

Dash Hudson’s social commerce tools help transform engaged followers into shoppers. LikeShop is a link in bio solution that takes your followers to your storefront — you can direct users to your homepage, specific products, product categories and more. 

In addition to LikeShop, retail brands can take their social commerce to the next level with Embeddable Shoppable Galleries — these galleries let you place your most impactful UGC on your website, providing an impactful way to build trust with online visitors by showcasing real-life people who love your products. From there, measure your campaign impact with Campaign Reporting to determine the impact of your social strategy on your overall sales.