These 15 companies are defying the retail apocalypse and opening hundreds of new stores

Discount stores are thriving while mall-based stores
Discounters are collectively opening hundreds of new stores this year.

US shoppers started gravitating toward discount stores during the recession, and most never returned to shopping full-price.

Here's a full list of companies opening hundreds of new stores:

Dollar General — 900 stores

Dollar Tree — 320 stores

Family Dollar — 300 stores

Family Dollar is also expected to open several hundred more stores in 2018. The company said it will reveal more information in March.

Aldi — 180 stores

Five Below — 125 stores

Five Below currently has 600 stores and plans on adding 125 more locations in 2018.

Ulta — 100 stores

Ulta has opened hundreds of stores in the last few years and will continue to do so in 2018 with 100 new locations.

Hobby Lobby — 60 stores

H&M — 60 stores

After a successful third quarter, H&M will continue to expand its presence across the United States with an additional 60 stores in 2018.

Lidl — 52 stores

Target — 35 stores

Target launched a successful initiative to reimagine its stores in 2017 with services like in-store pick-up. The company plans on continuing their efforts this year in addition to opening 35 new locations.

Walmart — 25 stores

Dick's Sporting Goods — 20 stores

Dick's Sporting Goods has turned a corner since its CEO Edward Stack said the retail industry was in "panic mode." The retailer now offers competitive price matching, its own private line and is planning on opening 20 new stores this year.

Nordstrom Rack — 14 stores

While Nordstrom's same-store sales have been steadily declining, sales at its discount sister store have been stronger than ever. The off-price Rack stores already outnumber Nordstrom's full-price locations and will continue to grow in 2018 with 14 new locations.

Costco — 3 stores

JCPenny — 1 store

JCPenny is set to open 1 new store in 2018, which is a vast improvement from 2017 when the chain was forced to close 138 locations because of slowing traffic and sales.