NRF releases 2022 Top 50 Global Retailers

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.

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.