Ross Stores, Inc. vs United Airlines Holdings, Inc.: Strategic Comparison
Key Differences at a Glance
| Field | Ross Stores, Inc. | United Airlines Holdings, Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue | $22.8B | $59.1B |
| Founded | 1982 | 1926 |
| Employees | 111,000 | 113,200 |
| Market Cap | $75.7B | $38.2B |
| Headquarters | United States | United States |
Quick Stats Comparison
| Metric | Ross Stores, Inc. | United Airlines Holdings, Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue | $22.8B | $59.1B |
| Founded | 1982 | 1926 |
| Headquarters | Dublin, California | Chicago, Illinois |
| Market Cap | $75.7B | $38.2B |
| Employees | 111,000 | 113,200 |
Ross Stores, Inc. Revenue vs United Airlines Holdings, Inc. Revenue — Year by Year
| Year | Ross Stores, Inc. | United Airlines Holdings, Inc. | Leader |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $22.8B | $59.1B | United Airlines Holdings, Inc. |
| 2024 | $21.1B | $57.1B | United Airlines Holdings, Inc. |
| 2023 | $20.4B | $53.7B | United Airlines Holdings, Inc. |
Business Model Breakdown
Overview: Ross Stores, Inc. vs United Airlines Holdings, Inc.
This in-depth comparison examines Ross Stores, Inc. and United Airlines Holdings, Inc. across revenue, market value, business model, competitive positioning, and long-term growth strategy. Whether you are researching Ross Stores, Inc. on its own, evaluating United Airlines Holdings, Inc., or weighing the two companies side by side, the breakdown below highlights where each company leads and where the gap between Ross Stores, Inc. and United Airlines Holdings, Inc. is widest.
On the headline numbers, Ross Stores, Inc. reports annual revenue of $22.8B against $59.1B for United Airlines Holdings, Inc., while their respective market capitalizations stand at $75.7B and $38.2B. Ross Stores, Inc. is headquartered in United States and United Airlines Holdings, Inc. operates from United States, and those different home markets shape how each company competes.
Ross Stores, Inc.: Ross Stores is a simple business that is hard to copy at scale. The customer sees a discounted rack. The operating model behind that rack is a buying organization, vendor network, distribution system, real estate playbook, and store labor model built over decades.
United Airlines Holdings, Inc.: A network airline is a coordination machine. United's value comes from putting the right aircraft, crew, schedules, airport slots, loyalty incentives, and corporate contracts together so thousands of connecting markets become sellable every day.
Business Models: How Ross Stores, Inc. and United Airlines Holdings, Inc. Make Money
Ross Stores, Inc. and United Airlines Holdings, Inc. pursue distinct approaches to generating revenue, and understanding how each company operates is the foundation of any fair comparison between Ross Stores, Inc. and United Airlines Holdings, Inc..
Ross Stores, Inc. business model: Ross makes money by buying brand-name and in-season merchandise at discounts and reselling it through low-friction stores at prices generally 20% to 60% below department and specialty store regular prices at Ross, and 20% to 70% below moderate department and discount store regular prices at dd's DISCOUNTS.
United Airlines Holdings, Inc. business model: United makes money from passenger tickets, premium cabins, basic economy, cargo, MileagePlus loyalty economics, co-branded credit card revenue, baggage and seat fees, United Club memberships, and partner revenue. Hubs create network density that lets the airline fill aircraft and price global itineraries.
Competitive Advantage: Ross Stores, Inc. vs United Airlines Holdings, Inc.
The durability of a company's moat often decides long-term winners. Here is how the competitive advantages of Ross Stores, Inc. stack up against those of United Airlines Holdings, Inc..
Ross Stores, Inc. competitive advantage: Ross wins through buying scale, vendor relationships, merchant experience, real estate density, low-cost store operations, and customer trust in everyday value. The company reported over 800 merchants across Ross and dd's DISCOUNTS at the end of fiscal 2025.
United Airlines Holdings, Inc. competitive advantage: United's advantage is its hub network, international route breadth, Star Alliance connectivity, premium-cabin expansion, MileagePlus loyalty base, corporate account strength, and major positions at airports such as Chicago O'Hare, Newark, Denver, Houston, San Francisco, Washington Dulles, and Los Angeles.
Growth Strategy: Where Ross Stores, Inc. and United Airlines Holdings, Inc. Are Headed
Future prospects matter as much as current results. The growth strategies below explain how Ross Stores, Inc. and United Airlines Holdings, Inc. each plan to expand from here.
Ross Stores, Inc. growth strategy: Ross growth depends on opening more stores, expanding Ross and dd's DISCOUNTS into underpenetrated markets, improving merchant productivity, strengthening in-store execution, and using disciplined buybacks and dividends after funding growth.
United Airlines Holdings, Inc. growth strategy: United is investing in premium seating, larger aircraft, international routes, operational reliability, MileagePlus, airport clubs, digital service, Starlink connectivity, and network depth at core hubs.
Financial Picture: Ross Stores, Inc. vs United Airlines Holdings, Inc.
A closer look at the financial trajectory of Ross Stores, Inc. and United Airlines Holdings, Inc. rounds out the comparison.
Ross Stores, Inc.: For fiscal 2025, Ross reported total sales of $22.8 billion, up 8% from $21.1 billion in fiscal 2024. Comparable-store sales grew 5%, net income was $2.1 billion, and earnings per share were $6.61. The company also authorized a new two-year $2.55 billion repurchase program for fiscal 2026 and 2027.
United Airlines Holdings, Inc.: United's 2025 total operating revenue was USD 59.1 billion, up 3.5%. Operating income was USD 4.7 billion. Passenger revenue rose 3.1% as passengers increased 4.3% and capacity increased 6.1%, while other operating revenue grew 10.4% helped by loyalty and club revenue.
Company-Specific SWOT Notes
Ross Stores, Inc.
Ross wins through buying scale, vendor relationships, merchant experience, real estate density, low-cost store operations, and customer trust in everyday value.
Ross wins by buying opportunistically, keeping store costs low, and training customers to expect branded bargains that change frequently.
The biggest risk is margin pressure from tariffs, wages, freight, shrink, or weaker availability of attractive branded closeout merchandise.
Ross growth depends on opening more stores, expanding Ross and dd's DISCOUNTS into underpenetrated markets, improving merchant productivity, strengthening in-store execution, and using disciplined buybacks and dividends after funding growth.
United Airlines Holdings, Inc.
United's advantage is its hub network, international route breadth, Star Alliance connectivity, premium-cabin expansion, MileagePlus loyalty base, corporate account strength, and major positions at airports such as Chicago O'Hare, Newark, Denver, Houston, San Francisco, Washington Dulles, and Los Angeles.
United wins when its hubs, international routes, loyalty program, and premium seats make it the most convenient and valuable airline for high-frequency travelers.
The biggest risk is cost pressure from fuel, labor, aircraft delays, or disruption that outpaces fare and loyalty revenue growth.
United is investing in premium seating, larger aircraft, international routes, operational reliability, MileagePlus, airport clubs, digital service, Starlink connectivity, and network depth at core hubs.
Head-to-Head Scorecard
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue Scale | United Airlines Holdings, Inc. | United Airlines Holdings, Inc. reports the larger revenue base ($59.1B), which serves as a core operational scale signal. |
| Profitability Potential | Comparable | Both organizations prioritize market penetration or are at equivalent reporting tiers. |
| Company Age | United Airlines Holdings, Inc. | Founded in 1982 vs 1926. The earlier pioneer typically commands longer historical institutional legacy. |
| Innovation Moat | Tied | Higher aggregate count of major acquisitions and key R&D releases indicates a more active technology absorption velocity. |
| Scale (Employees) | United Airlines Holdings, Inc. | A significantly larger reported workforce supports enhanced global distribution capability. |
| Market Cap | Ross Stores, Inc. | Higher public valuation denotes greater forward-looking investor conviction in earnings potential. |
| Future Outlook | Tied | Strategic auditing assesses that both maintain defensive leadership vectors within their core market clusters. |
Who Wins Each Category?
United Airlines Holdings, Inc. reports the larger revenue base ($59.1B), which serves as a core operational scale signal.
Both organizations prioritize market penetration or are at equivalent reporting tiers.
Founded in 1982 vs 1926. The earlier pioneer typically commands longer historical institutional legacy.
Higher aggregate count of major acquisitions and key R&D releases indicates a more active technology absorption velocity.
A significantly larger reported workforce supports enhanced global distribution capability.
Who Wins: Ross Stores, Inc. or United Airlines Holdings, Inc.?
Reviewed by Swet Parvadiya, May 2026 - Author Profile
Our analysts compile business strategy profiles from public financial filings, press releases, and analyst reports. Each profile is reviewed for accuracy before publication by our editorial desk and updated on a rolling basis.
Frequently Asked Questions: Ross Stores, Inc. vs United Airlines Holdings, Inc.
Is Ross Stores, Inc. better than United Airlines Holdings, Inc.?
Verdict: Between Ross Stores, Inc. and United Airlines Holdings, Inc., United Airlines Holdings, Inc. is the stronger overall option based on higher annual revenue. The decision still depends on which factors matter most for your needs, but on the weight of the evidence above, United Airlines Holdings, Inc. comes out ahead in this Ross Stores, Inc. vs United Airlines Holdings, Inc. comparison.
Who earns more — Ross Stores, Inc. or United Airlines Holdings, Inc.?
United Airlines Holdings, Inc. earns more with $59.1B in annual revenue versus Ross Stores, Inc.'s $22.8B. United Airlines Holdings, Inc. leads on total revenue based on latest verified figures.
Which company has higher revenue — Ross Stores, Inc. or United Airlines Holdings, Inc.?
Ross Stores, Inc. reported $22.8B, while United Airlines Holdings, Inc. reported $59.1B. The revenue leader is United Airlines Holdings, Inc. based on latest verified figures.
Ross Stores, Inc. revenue vs United Airlines Holdings, Inc. revenue — which is higher?
Ross Stores, Inc. revenue: $22.8B. United Airlines Holdings, Inc. revenue: $22.8B. United Airlines Holdings, Inc. has the larger revenue base of the two companies.
Sources & References
- SEC EDGAR: Ross Stores, Inc. Annual Filings (10-K, 8-K)
- Ross Stores, Inc. Corporate Website
- Ross Stores, Inc. Annual Report 2025 - Revenue and Financial Data
- sec.gov
- sec.gov
- sec.gov
- investors.rossstores.com
- stockanalysis.com
- SEC EDGAR: United Airlines Holdings, Inc. Annual Filings (10-K, 8-K)
- United Airlines Holdings, Inc. Corporate Website
- United Airlines Holdings, Inc. Annual Report 2025 - Revenue and Financial Data
- sec.gov
- united.com
- ir.united.com