3. Dillard's
Fortune 500 rank: 348
2009 revenue: $6.2 billion
2009 total shareholder return: 374.1%
The Little Rock, Ark., department-store chain aggressively slashed costs by closing underperforming stores and expanding the use of private labels, which generate higher margins.
Problem is, the plan isn't generating additional foot traffic, as sales continue to tumble at double-digit rates. Cost-cutting could keep the stock rallying for a while, but management needs to get customers back in the door -- fast.
NEXT: 4. Tenet Healthcare
