Like kids in a toy store, we traders are constantly looking for the latest and greatest stock to trade in. With Christmas right around the corner, we look at retail stocks to see which ones will benefit the most off of Christmas shopping that is to ensue after Thanksgiving up until Christmas eve.

December, historically, is also one of the best months for trading, so with all that in mind, lets take a look at which retail stocks performed the best from last year (11/28/08 through 12/24/08). I only wanted to take a look at retail companies, excluding sub-industry groups like Auto-Parts, drug-stores, and grocery stores, since they aren’t the main benefactors of the Christmas season.

The most surprising about last year’s Christmas winners, was that the Home Shopping Network (HSNI) came in first. This time last year they were only worth a couple bucks a share, and now they are almost a $20 stock. That is incredible! What wasn’t a surprise was that companies like Best Buy (BBY), HHGregg (HGG) and Bed Bath & Beyond (BBBY) that made the list. One company that I am not overly familiar with is Sport Supply Group (RBI), as they managed to pull off the third best return.

Here’s the screen results..

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