Most of the retailers that comprise the largest retailers in the world (excluding U.S. companies) have headquarters in Europe, with France posting three of the top 10. Germany and Japan each post two retailers on the list. Of the largest global retailers only four have a strong presence in the U.S. -- Tesco, Seven and I Holdings, Aldi and Royal Ahold.
The top 10 global retailers are:
1. Carrefour: $124.35 Billion
The France-based company posted slow, yet profitable growth year-over year. Although revenue was up it was essentially flat. Like revenue, net profit also was essentially flat although down from the previous year. With 15,400 stores across 30 countries in Europe, Latin America, and Asia, Carrefour, which means "Crossroads," operates hypermarkets, supermarkets, convenience, discount, and cash-and-carry stores.
2. Metro AG: $95.78 Billion
Like Carrefour, Metro posted slow but steady revenue growth year-over-year in its last reported complete financial period. Revenue was up but basically flat, while net income slightly dipped from the previous year. As Germany's largest retailer, Metro owns and operates about 2,200 wholesale stores, supermarkets, hypermarkets, department stores, as well as electronics shops. Metro also has stores in 30 other countries including China and Poland.
3. Tesco: $77.45 Billion
U.K.-based Tesco posted one of the sharpest declines of any retailer on the list, with revenue dropping $16 billion and net income also down. While most of the figures posted for other companies on the list are for 2008, Tesco's figures are more current and reflect most of 2009, a timeframe that has been one of the worst on record. It is likely that most of the other companies will reflect a similar downward trend when their 2009 figures are posted. Tesco operates more than 4,330 stores in the UK and 13 other countries in Europe, Asia, as well as the Fresh & Easy banner in the U.S.
4. Aldi: $65.7 Billion
Germany-based Aldi is one of the largest private companies in the world and has more than doubled its revenue in a seven year timeframe. In its latest financial period the company substantially grew revenue year-over-year. Based on the company's steady financial growth, it's clear that Aldi has found the winning formula to success -- offering deep discounts on essentials. Aldi operates about 9,000 stores worldwide and has a strong presence in the U.S. with 1,000 stores across 30 states.
5. Seven & I Holdings: $57.79 Billion
The Japan-based company posted strong growth for the 2009 period, reporting a nearly $9 billion rise in revenue year-over-year. Net income however was essentially flat. Seven & I operates the largest number of stores of any company on this list -- a whopping 33,000 locations worldwide. The "seven" in the company's title reflects the seven areas of business it operates including convenience stores, superstores, restaurants, supermarkets, department stores, financial services, and IS/IT services. The "holding" part of the company's name consists of its five subsidiaries, one of which is the U.S.-based 7-Eleven.
6. Groupe Auchan: $55.65 Billion
The private France-based company reported essentially flat revenue and flat net income year-over-year, but over the past seven years it has more than doubled its revenue. The company is France's second largest food retailer (behind Carrefour) and operates about 495 hypermarkets and 745 supermarkets throughout Europe, China, Dubai, Russia and Taiwan. Auchan recently exited the U.S., Mexico, and Morocco markets. However it opened or acquired about 50 hypermarkets, a dozen supermarkets, and 20 shopping centers in Central and Eastern Europe, and Asia over the past year.
7. Aeon Co.: $48.14 Billion
The Japan-based retailer posted a slight drop in revenue for its 2009 period, but also reported a huge dip in net income making it the only company on this list to operate in the red. Known for its various retail ventures, Aeon is Japan's largest supermarket chain and operates more than 1,000-plus stores under MaxValu and more than 3,000 Ministop convenience stores. Aeon also runs a number of specialty chains and a leading drugstore chain of 1,730 outlets.
8. Casino Guichard-Perrachon: $40.46 Billion
The France-based company reported a rise in revenue while net income was essentially flat for the most recent completed 12-month period. The company owns and operates more than 9,590 hypermarkets (Géant), supermarkets (Casino and Monoprix), restaurants (Casino Cafétéria), and discount stores (Leader Price). The retailer also operates more than 1,100 outlets in 10 countries worldwide, including Brazil, The Netherlands, Thailand and Vietnam.
9. Woolworths: $40.13 Billion
Australia-based Woolworths posted a drop in revenue in 2009 while net income was essentially flat. As the number one food retailer down under it operates more than 3,100 supermarkets, general merchandise and electronics stores in Australia and New Zealand. Woolworths also sells gasoline, provides wholesale merchandise for third-party supermarkets and operates more than 150 general merchandise discount stores under the Big W banner.
10. Royal Ahold: $36.26 Billion
The Netherlands-based company posted a drop in revenue year-over-year and net income also dipped. The retailer owns about 2,900 supermarkets and specialty stores across Europe and the U.S., where it is a major player as operator of the Giant Food and Stop & Shop chains, which account for more than 50 percent of the company's total sales.
This is the first time RIS has reported financial standings for global retailers. The figures posted in this story come from the last completed 12 month reporting period.
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Top 10 U.S. Retailers: Walmart, Kroger and Costco Lead List
