*The Global 50 list was updated on April 5, 2022, to accurately reflect full retail sales and store numbers for Inditex. Inditex is now No. 14 (previously No. 36). All retailers previously ranked 14-35 are now decreased by one rank. The list is the same for Nos. 1-13 and Nos. 37-50.
WASHINGTON – The National Retail Federation today released its annual list of the Top 50 Global Retailers. Conducted with Kantar, the 2022 Top 50 Global Retailers list is a compilation of the 50 most impactful international retailers based on their operations at the start of 2021.
“The second year of the global pandemic challenged global retail in 2021 as it did in 2020.”
Walmart continues to be the world’s largest retailer, having made significant investments in omnichannel marketplaces, in-store services and fulfillment models. Holding on to the same rankings as 2021, Amazon.com came in second, Schwarz Group came in at No. 3 and Aldi came in fourth. Costco came in as a newcomer to the top five, rising from No. 6 the previous year.
Other ranking changes in the top 10 include No. 13 Alibaba (down from No. 5 in 2021), No. 6 Ahold Delhaize (up from No. 7), No. 7 Carrefour (up from No. 8), No. 8 IKEA (up from No. 9), No 9. Seven & I (up from No. 13) and No. 10 The Home Depot (up from No. 15).
“The second year of the global pandemic challenged global retail in 2021 as it did in 2020,” said David Marcotte, senior vice president, global insights and technology at Kantar. “And, just as in 2020, global retail emerged with far more revenue and profit as it managed changes in shopper needs and routines.”
Kantar’s ranking methodology uses a system in which points are given to retailers based on their domestic and international retail revenues. To qualify for the rankings, retailers must have a direct investment in at least three countries.
See the complete list of retailers and read Kantar’s analysis of the global power players and notable trends here.
About NRF
The National Retail Federation, the world’s largest retail trade association, passionately advocates for the people, brands, policies and ideas that help retail thrive. From its headquarters in Washington, D.C., NRF empowers the industry that powers the economy. Retail is the nation’s largest private-sector employer, contributing $3.9 trillion to annual GDP and supporting one in four U.S. jobs – 52 million working Americans. For over a century, NRF has been a voice for every retailer and every retail job, educating, inspiring and communicating the powerful impact retail has on local communities and global economies.
About Kantar:
Kantar is the world's leading marketing data, insight and consultancy company. We know more about how people live, feel, shop, vote, watch and post worldwide than any other company. Working across the entire sales and marketing lifecycle, we help brands uncover growth in an extraordinary world. Kantar's services are employed by over half of the Fortune 500 companies in 100 countries.