The 15 biggest supermarket chains in the world are covered in this article. If you want to skip to the top five supermarket chains in this group, go directly to The 5 Biggest Supermarket Chains In the World.
The evolution of grocery stores has transformed shopping from a tedious task to an enjoyable experience and revolutionized how billions have shopped, although it has become more expensive due to the multitude of options available. What started as small stores to provide people with the necessities are now large conglomerates operating all around the world. With their growth, today’s supermarket conglomerates are home to a wide variety of products, and are a source of employment for millions. Despite economic challenges, data from 2022 shows an increase in grocery spending in the UK. However, traditional brick-and-mortar stores now face a significant challenge from online grocery shopping, which has become more popular, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic. The convenience of ordering from home has attracted many consumers, but there are drawbacks such as longer delivery times, additional fees, and minimum order quantities that may not be suitable for those on a budget or living alone. Consequently, physical grocery stores are expected to remain relevant for the foreseeable future. With the more efficient sale of products, supermarket conglomerates are able to sell more products and at lower prices than otherwise possible.
In the United States, supermarkets are a big industry given that the country routinely spends over $750 billion on groceries annually. The industry is also evolving. As disposable income has increased, supermarkets have also benefited from the trend of consumers buying more quality and organic foods. Internationally, supermarkets are also very popular in many countries in Europe and across the world.
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Our Methodology
A Supermarket chain is defined by The Free Dictionary as ‘a large self-service retail market that sells food and household goods’. So, to be included in our list, all the companies mentioned had to fulfill this definition. Furthermore, the companies were corresponded by the list curated by the National Retail Federation, where only companies that are considered ‘supermarket chains’ were considered. Moving on, data on the revenue of the companies was taken from Forbes. For this list, which includes companies like Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT), Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN), and Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST), we used the annual revenue from 2021. All of the companies have been listed according to their revenues and are arranged from the lowest to highest.
The 15 Biggest Supermarket Chains In the World
15. Metro AG
Annual Revenue:$31.95B
Metro AG is one of the largest supermarket chains in the world. As of 2021, Metro owns 5,950 stores in 24 countries in Europe and Asia. With an annual revenue of $31.95 billion dollars, Metro was once considered the fourth largest retailer in the world according to revenues.
Metro AG also employs a total of 893,359 people. In May 2016, it was decided that the Metro group would be split into two independent companies, both with separate management and independent company profiles. Its five principal brands are Metro cash/ carry Real, Media Markt, and Saturn, and Galeria Kaufhof. Specializing mainly in the provision of wholesale and foodservice distribution, Metro has managed to make itself a globally recognized name.
14. Spar international
Annual Revenue: $41.53B
Spar international is a Dutch multinational franchise that ensures the operation of independently owned and operated food retail stores, the company has an annual revenue of about 41.53 billion dollars. With a total of 13,112 stores worldwide, Spar has stores in about 48 countries stretching across Asia, Africa, and Oceania. Headquartered in Amsterdam, the conglomerate is a common sight in most European countries. It is also very famous in the United Kingdom, as in 1997, Spar was introduced to the Uk military bases by the Naafi, where it sold a multitude of items ranging from civilian to military products. This supermarket chain is believed to have about 14 million customers a day worldwide and employs over 370,000 people.
13. Woolworths Supermarkets
Annual Revenue: $42.9B
An Australian chain of supermarkets and grocery stores, Woolworths has an annual revenue of about 42.9 billion dollars. It is Australia’s biggest supermarket with a market share of 33% as of 2019 and employs over 225,000 people. Specializing in groceries like vegetables and meat, the chain also deals in magazines, beauty products, stationery, and household products. There are about 987 Woolworth supermarkets with an online presence as well. With its own 6 private labels, this chain has managed to maximize its sales and has stores in New Zealand and Tasmania.
12. Seven & I Holdings Co., Ltd.
Annual Revenue: $60.95B
A diversified retail group, hailing from Japan. Itoya Kando, the Japanese conglomerate was able to gain majority control of the American chain of convenience stores; Seven & I. In 2005, all three major companies namely: Itoya Kando, seven & I, and its other business ventures were brought together under the banner of seven & I as the main parent company. In 2018, seven & I holding was hailed as the fifth-largest supermarket chain in the world.
ItoyaKando, originally a Japanese chain of grocery and clothing stores, was able to gain control of the American chain of seven & I when the latter company filed for bankruptcy. With a dual annual revenue of 60.95 billion dollars, this supermarket chain owns 66,200 stores worldwide. Furthermore, with about 11 subsidiaries under its belt, seven & I stores are also a common sight in Australia and are among the world’s largest supermarket chains, employing over 98, 093 people.
11. Albertsons Companies, Inc.
Annual Revenue: $69.4 B
Headquartered in Boise, Idaho, Albertsons is the second-largest supermarket chain in North American after Kroger. It ranked 52 in the 2018 fortune 500 lists of US corporations, employing about 325,00 people. It currently owns 2,253 stores throughout America. With over 13 private label brands under its belt, Albertsons stores are known for their universal layout with a variety of counters including almost exclusively a Starbucks one as well!
10. Edeka group
Annual Revenue: $72.20B
Known to be the largest German supermarket corporation as of 2017, Edeka has a market share of 20.3%. Consisting of several cooperatives of independent supermarkets, the supermarket chain is headquartered in Hamburg. The company, including its subsidiaries and acquisitions, has a total of 13,646 stores with annual revenue of 72.20 billion dollars. The conglomerate managed to become a cultural phenomenon with its ad, which was primarily intended for the German public and was able to reach new heights with nearly 62 million views by 2019. Employing over 381,000 people, Edeka is a well-known name in Germany with numerous brand names and companies under its belt.
9. Tesco PLC
Annual Revenue: $74.8B
Originating from Britain, Costco is another multinational supermarket retail chain headquartered in Welwyn Garden city, England. With a revenue of almost 74.8 billion, Tesco is considered the third-largest retailer in the world measured by gross revenues. Hailing mostly from the UK, it has over the years expanded in five counties across Europe and managed to diversify its portfolio into areas such as retailing of books, clothing electronics, furniture, and toys.
It also launched its ‘Tesco value’ to target a larger customer base by introducing cheaper alternatives. Not only this, but Tesco also has its own magazine which is one of the largest in-house circulation magazines in the UK with a circulation of 19 million.
8. Ahold Delhaize
Annual Revenue: $78.17B
A dutch grocery retail company consisting of supermarkets, convenience stores, hypermarkets, and online grocery stores, has an annual revenue of 78.17B. Headquartered in Zaandam, Netherlands, the supermarket chain is also found in Belgium, Romania, Serbia, and the United States. It also, through joining ventures, has a presence in Portugal and Indonesia. It also is among the largest food and consumable retailers in the United States with over 2000 stores across 23 states. It currently employs over 232,000 employees and has a net income of 1.4 billion. Given the revenue this supermarket has been generating, it is undoubtedly among the fastest-growing supermarket chains in the world.
7. Carrefour SA
Annual Revenue: $82.60 B
A French multinational retail corporation situated in France, Carrefour is also among the fastest-growing supermarket chains in the world. Operating on a chain of hypermarkets, groceries, and convenience stores, it has a revenue of 82.60 billion. Spread to over 30 countries, this conglomerate comprises 12,225 stores. Hailed as the first group to open a hypermarket, supermarket, and departmental store under one roof, the company has only grown ever since.
Apart from its business endeavors, carrefour is the first retailer to join the initiative; C’est qui le Patron, to share its additional income in the covid 19 support fund and its directors pledged to reduce 25 % from their fees to support the employees. With a strong work ethic and deep respect for their employees, Carrefour is bound to reach new heights.
6. Aldi
Revenue: $116.06B
One part of the two family-owned discount supermarket chains in the world. Founded by two brothers Karl and Theo Albrecht, Aldi has an annual revenue of about 116.06 billion dollars and owns 11,353 stores worldwide. The company was divided into two, known as Aldi Nord and Aldi Sud. Although they have been legally separate since 1966, the division’s names sometimes appear as if they were a single enterprise. Aldi Nord also operates internationally in many countries, especially notable ones like Denmark, France, Portugal, Spain, UK Switzerland, and Australia.
Known for its American name Trader joes, Aldi Nord is now a well-respected supermarket in America known for its unique take on food products. The United States of America is the only country that has both Aldi Nord (trader joes) and Aldi sud apart from Germany. The stores are known for their unique layout, often displaying items at discounted prices and most of the products found at these stores are their own.
Not only this, the supermarket has managed to make a name for itself by winning awards in the united kingdom from years 2013 to 2017. Moreover, it has been praised for its environment-friendly agenda and for paying higher than minimum wage in its stores in America, a phenomenon not very common in the states right now.
Much like Aldi, companies like Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT), Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN), and Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST) are also among the largest supermarket chains in the world.
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Disclosure. None. The 15 Biggest Supermarket Chains In the World is originally published on Insider Monkey.
