In this article, we will be looking at the 5 biggest supermarket chains in the world. To see the other big supermarket chains, check out The 15 Bargest Supermarket Chains In the World.
5. The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR)
Annual Revenue: $131.57B
Another American retail company, The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR) is the largest supermarket by revenue in the United States. It was ranked 23 on the Fortune 500 rankings of the largest United States corporations by total revenue. Headquartered in downtown Cincinnati, The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR) operates directly or through its many subsidiaries about 2,732 supermarkets and multi-department stores. With annual revenue of $131.57 billion, Kroger is the seventh latest employer in the United States with a total of 465,000 employees.
4. Schwarz group
Annual Revenue: 133.89 billion
The third supermarket chain to make it to our list is the Schwarz group with a revenue of 133.89billion. Operating grocery shops under the Lidl and Kaufland brands, this group is a family-owned multinational retail conglomerate. Selling mostly private label brands, this group is mainly found in European countries but is currently opening in the United States. Headquartered in Neckarsulm, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany, the Schwarz Group is a leading trading company with over 500,00 people employed and operates over 12,900 stores across 33 countries.
Not only this, this group has expanded its reach by venturing into the food production business and now has its brands of beverages, baked goods, sweets, and ice cream. Aside from its very successful business ventures, the company has an environmentally friendly agenda and has been involved in the collection, sorting of recyclable materials, and is a major supporter of education in Dieter Schwarz’s hometown Heilbronn.
3. Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST)
Annual Revenue: 163.22B
Another American multinational corporation, Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST), operates on a membership-only mechanism and is one of the largest retailer chains in the world. It was ranked 10 on the fortune 500 rankings and has a revenue of 163.22 billion. Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST) has a total number of 804 warehouses spaced throughout the world. It employs a total of 254,000 full and part-time employees worldwide.
Ranked at 15 on the fortune 500 rankings, this company is a trailblazer in being the first to grow from zero to 3 billion in under 6 six years, evidencing its exponential growth. Not only this, it has its brand known as Kirkland signature and has dabbled into the world of publication by coming up with its magazine known as the Costco connection. Known for its excellent service, Costco is certainly on the path to attaining even more success.
2. Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN)
Revenue: 280.50B
Referred to as one of the most influential economic and cultural forces in the world, there may be very few people in the world who haven’t heard of Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN). What initially started as an online marketplace for books is now a global phenomenon that sells everything from electronics to food. Founded by Jeff Bezos, Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) has a revenue of 280.50 billion. Known as the world’s largest online marketplace, Amazon has managed to disrupt well-established industries through the use of technological innovation. It is also the second-largest private employer in the US and 202 had the highest global brand valuation
Not only this, in 2017 it managed to increase its reach as a physical retailer by acquiring the whole foods market for 13.4 billion, hence reaching new heights of success. It has around 40 subsidiaries and ventured into distributing downloadable and streaming content via its amazon prime video amazon music and twitch. Amazon has also managed to make its transportation services consisting of amazon air, amazon flex amazon fresh, and amazon logistics. The level of fast-paced growth it has managed to achieve in a relatively short time is certainly praiseworthy considering it still is growing with every year that passes. Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST)
1. Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT)
Revenue: 519.93B
Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT) is a phenomenon that is known throughout the world. With revenue of almost 519.93 billion dollars, Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT) is an American multinational retail corporation. Built primarily to fill the gaps between Walmart supercenters and discount stores, Walmart now owns a total of 11,361 stores in 27 countries, Walmart is in the truest form; a global conglomerate. It is also the world’s largest company by revenue according to the Fortune Global 500 and has the largest number of employees, almost accounting for 2.2 million.
Moving on, it also has seen a lot of success through its ventures and subsidiaries globally with ventures in countries like Canada, United Kingdom, Central America, South America, and China. Majorly owned by the Walton family, the richest family in America, Walmart remains the largest corporation in the world to date. Not only this, Walmart is known for its charitable endeavors, as the Walmart Foundation has in the past, pledged large amounts of money to causes like Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and recently committed 25 million to organizations working at the forefront of the Covid 19 pandemic. It also started a venture through which front-line workers could get vaccinated through Walmart in New Mexico and Arkansas and planned to offer vaccines in several cities as well.
Disclosure. None.
