15 World’s Biggest Retail Companies – According to the Annual Report of the Company in 2021/ 2022, there are 15 World’s Biggest Retail Companies. Basically, these companies have a billion US dollars of Assets and Revenue. Retail shop or market usually has a vital role in supplying the daily products that are needed by human every day. Retail, commonly, is the concept of buying and selling that meets products from sellers to final consumers directly. Because sales of products/services are destined to final consumers.


Of all retail companies in the world, there are just a few of them (retail companies) that have big revenue and income each year, maybe all of us know these companies or shop in countries. Their role is indispensable in meeting human needs from time to time. Here are the 15 World’s Biggest Retail Companies. These data were obtained from the Annual Report of the company in 2021.
The Rank of 15 World’s Biggest Retail Companies Based on Assets
Rank | Name of Company | Assets | Assets | Liabilities | Liabilites |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Origin Currency | US Dollar | Origin Currency | US Dollar | ||
1 | Amazon | $ 420 Billion | $ 420 Billion | $ 282 Billion | $ 282 Billion |
2 | Alibaba | $ 257 Billion | $ 257 Billion | $ 92.5 Billion | $ 92.5 Billion |
3 | Walmart | $ 244 billion | $ 244 billion | $ 152 Billion | $ 152 Billion |
4 | CVS Health Corporation | $ 232 Billion | $ 232 Billion | $ 157 Billion | $ 157 Billion |
5 | Walgreen | $ 81.2 Billion | $ 81.2 Billion | $ 57.1 Billion | $ 57.1 Billion |
6 | JD.COM | $ 77.9 Billion | $ 77.9 Billion | $ 39.1 Billion | $ 39.1 Billion |
7 | Home Depot | $ 71.8 Billion | $ 71.8 Billion | $ 73.5 Billion | $ 73.5 Billion |
8 | Tesco | £ 49.2 Billion | $ 58.5 Billion | £ 33.6 Billion | $ 39.9 Billion |
9 | Target | $ 53.8 Billion | $ 53.8 Billion | $ 41 Billion | $ 41 Billion |
10 | Costco | $ 52.9 Billion | $ 52.9 Billion | $ 41.1 Billion | $ 41.1 Billion |
11 | Kroger | $ 49 Billion | $ 49 Billion | $ 39 Billion | $ 39 Billion |
12 | Carrefour | € 47.6 Billion | $ 48 Billion | € 35.7 Billion | $ 36 Billion |
13 | Lowe's Companies | $ 44.6 Billion | $ 44.6 Billion | $ 49.4 Billion | $ 49.4 Billion |
14 | Albertson Companies | $ 28.1 Billion | $ 28.1 Billion | $ 25.1 Billion | $ 25.1 Billion |
15 | IKEA | € 21.4 Billion | $ 21.6 Billion | € 11.2 Billion | $ 11.3 Billion |
Symbol : $ = US Dollar , € = Euro, £ = Poundsterling | |||||
Source : Annual Report, 2021 | |||||
Origin Currency : Currency is officially used in Annual Report | |||||
Currecy Rate : | |||||
1 Euro = 1.01 USD | |||||
1 GBP = 1.19 USD |
The data above were obtained from the Balance Sheet report of the company in 2021. The balance sheet basically describes the conditions of the assets, liabilities, and equities of the company. It can show the financial structure/ foundation of the company.
The Rank of 15 World’s Biggest Retail Companies Based on Net Income
Rank | Name of Company | Revenue | Revenue | Net Income | Net Income |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Origin Currency | US Dollar | Origin Currency | US Dollar | ||
1 | Amazon | $ 469 Billion | $ 469 Billion | $ 33 Billion | $ 33 Billion |
2 | Alibaba | $ 109.4 Billion | $ 109.4 Billion | $ 21.8 Billion | $ 21.8 Billion |
3 | Home Depot | $ 151 Billion | $ 151 Billion | $ 16.4 Billion | $ 16.4 Billion |
4 | Walmart | $ 572 Billion | $ 572 Billion | $ 13.9 Billion | $ 13.9 Billion |
5 | Lowe's Companies | $ 32 Billion | $ 32 Billion | $ 8.4 Billion | $ 8.4 Billion |
6 | CVS Health Corporation | $ 292 Billion | $ 292 Billion | $ 7.8 Billion | $ 7.8 Billion |
7 | Target | $ 106 Billion | $ 106 Billion | $ 6.9 Billion | $ 6.9 Billion |
8 | Costco | $ 195 Billion | $ 195 Billion | $ 5 Billion | $ 5 Billion |
9 | Walgreen | $ 132 Billion | $ 132 Billion | $ 2.5 Billion | $ 2.5 Billion |
10 | Kroger | $ 137 Billion | $ 137 Billion | $ 1.6 Billion | $ 1.6 Billion |
11 | Albertson Companies | $ 71.8 Billion | $ 71.8 Billion | $ 1.6 Billion | $ 1.6 Billion |
12 | Tesco | £ 61.3 Billion | $ 72.9 Billion | £ 1.4 Billion | $ 1.6 Billion |
13 | IKEA | € 25.6 Billion | $ 25.8 Billion | € 1.4 Billion | $ 1.4 Billion |
14 | Carrefour | € 74.2 Billion | $ 74.9 Billion | € 1.3 Billion | $ 1.3 Billion |
15 | JD.Com | $ 149.3 Billion | $ 149.3 Billion | ($ -701 Million ) | ($ -701 Million ) |
Symbol : $ = US Dollar, € = Euro, £ = Poundsterling | |||||
Source : Annual Report, 2021 | |||||
Origin Currency : Currency is officially used in Annual Report | |||||
Currecy Rate : | |||||
1 Euro = 1.01 USD | |||||
1 GBP = 1.19 USD |
The conditions above show the conditions of the company in one year. These revenues and income/loss indicators can be found in the income statement of the Annual Report of the company. Basically, it measures the profitability of the company in doing their business.
Brief Description of 15 World’s Biggest Retail Companies
1. Amazon


Amazon is a multinational e-commerce and retail company that has its main office in Seattle, Washington, and Arlington, Virginia, U.S.A. Historically, Jeff Bezos found this company in 1994. With his experience in bank Industries and sense of opportunity of digital industries, he bravely established the Amazon in the garage in Seattle. At the beginning of his journey, Amazon just sell books and develop into selling miscellaneous products. Financially, Amazon has assets $420 Billion and liabilities of around $282 Billion. Based on the business performance in 2021, Amazon can generate revenue of around $469 Billion and gain net income of around $33 Billion.
2. Alibaba
Alibaba Group Holding Limited, also known as Alibaba is a Multinational company that has its main office in Yuhang District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China George Town, Cayman Islands. Historically, this Jack Ma with the help of his friends found this company in 1999. At that time, with the help of some investment companies including Goldman Sachs and SoftBank, Jack Ma can bring this company to lead the e-commerce market in China and some other countries. Nowadays, of March 2022, the employee of Alibaba is around 254 thousand people.


Financially, based on the balance sheet of the company in 2021, Alibaba has Assets of around $ 257 Billion with liabilities of around $ 92.5 Billion. Based on the financial performance in 2021, the company generated revenue of around $ 109.4 Billion and gained a net income of around $ 21.8 Billion.
3. Walmart


Walmart is an American multinational retail corporation that has many chain hypermarkets in the United States and some countries around the world. Basically, Wall Mart was founded by Sam Walton in 1962 and guided this company to be the champion of the retail market in the U.S.A. Financially in 2021, the company has assets of around $244 billion with liabilities of around $152 Billion. Based on the business performance in 2021, the company generated revenue of around $572 Billion, with net income of around $13.9 Billion.
4. CVS Health Corporation


CVS Health Corporation or CVS Corporation is an American retail based in Rhode Island, U.S.A. historically, this company was founded by Stanley Goldstein, Sidney Goldstein, and Ralph Hoagland. Financially, this company has assets $232 Billion with liabilities of around $157 Billion. Based on the business performance in 2021, the company gained revenue of around $292 Billion and gained Net Income of around $7.8 Billion.
5. Walgreens Boots Alliance


Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. is a multinational holding company that was founded in 2014. Basically, this company has its main office in Deerfield, Illinois, the U.S. Structurally, this company owns retail pharmacy chains Walgreens and Boots (Boots UK Limited). Financially, in 2021, this company has assets of around $81.2 Billion with liabilities of around $57.1 Billion. Based on the business performance in 2021, the company gained revenue $132 Billion and a Net income of around $2.5 Billion.
6.JD.COM
JD.com, Inc. known as Jindong is a Multinational online retail company that was founded in China by Liu Qiangding in 2009. Basically, this company has its main office in Beijing China and as of 2022, this company has employees of around 310 thousand. Besides Liu Q, Walmart and Tencent also has some share in this company. Walmart has 10% of share ownership and Tencent with 2.3% of ownership.


Financially, this company has assets of $77.9 Billion with liabilities of around $39.1 Billion. Based on the business performance in 2021, the company gained revenue of around $149.3 Billion but suffered a net Loss of around $ -701 Million.
7. Home Depot
The Home Depot is a multinational retail company that sells tools, construction products and appliances. Historically, this company was founded in 1978 by Bernard Marcus, Arthur Blank, Ron Brill, Pat Farrah, and Ken Langone. Operationally, this company has its main office in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A., and has employees of around 490 thousand people.


Financially, this company has Assets of around $71.8 Billion with liabilities of around $73.5 Billion. In 2021, based on the income statement, this company generated around $151 Billion and gained net income around $16.4 Billion.
8. Tesco
Tesco is a British multinational retailer company that has its main office in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, England. Historically, this company was founded by Jack Cohen in 1919. Along with the development of the company, this company has employees of around 367 thousand people with some divisions including Tesco Stores Ltd, Tesco Bank, Tesco Mobile, Tesco Ireland, Tesco Family Dining Ltd, Dunnhumby, Spenhill, and Booker Group.


Financially, this company has assets of £49.2 Billion, or equivalent to $58.5 Billion, and liabilities of around £33.6 Billion around $39.9 Billion. Based on the performance in 2021, the company gained revenue of around £61.3 Billion / $72.9 Billion and a net income around £1.4 Billion / $1.6 Billion.
9. Target
Target Corporation or commonly known as Target is an American retail company that has its main office in Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.A. Historically, this company was established because of the initiative or role of some people including George Dayton, Douglas Dayton & John Geisse.


Financially, based on the balance sheet in 2021, the company has assets of around $53.8 Billion with liabilities of around $41 Billion. Based on the performance in 2021, the company gained revenue of around $106 Billion and a net income of $ 6.9 Billion.
10. Costco
Costco Wholesale Corporation is an American retail company that was founded by James Sinegal and Jeffrey Brotman in 1983. Besides the United States of America (USA), Basically, this company has some branch markets in Australia, Canada, China, France, Iceland, Japan, Mexico, South Korea, Spain, Taiwan, and United Kingdom.


Financially, in 2021, based on the balance sheet, this company has assets around $52.9 Billion with liabilities of $41.1 Billion. Based on the business performance in 2021, the company gained revenue of around $195 Billion and a net income of $ 5 Billion.
11. Kroger
The Kroger Company or commonly known as Kroger is an American retail company that has its main office in Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.A. Historically, this company was founded by Bernard Kroger. Along with business development, this company has 2,853 supermarkets and jewelers’ shops across the nation.


Financially, this company has assets around $49 Billion with liabilities around $ 39 Billion. Based on the business performance in 2021, the company gained revenue around $ 137 Billion and Net Income around $ 1.6 Billion.
12.Carrefour
Carrefour is multinational retailers that was founded on 1958 by Marcel Fournier, Denis Defforey, and Jacques Defforey. Officially, this company has main office in Massy, Essonne, France. Along with business development, Carrefour has opened 12 thousand of its stores across nations.


Financially, the company has assets of €47.6 Billion and liabilities around $36 Billion. Based on the business performance in 2021, this company gained revenue of around €74.2 Billion / $74.9 Billion and net income of around €1.3 Billion / $1.3 Billion.
13. Lowe’s Companies


Lowe’s Companies is an American retail company that has its main office in Mooresville, North Carolina, USA. Historically, this company was founded in 1921 by Lucius Smith Love. Along with the development of the business company, Lowe’s has branch stores in 2 thousand locations, especially in Canada and the United States of America. Financially, this company has assets around $44.6 Billion with liabilities of $49.4 Billion. Based on the business performance in 2021, this company generated revenue of $ 32 Billion and a net income of around $8.4 Billion.
14. Albertson Companies


Albertsons Companies, Inc is an American retail company that was founded in 1939 by Joe Albertson. Nowadays, this company has its main office in Boise, Idaho, U.S.A. Financially, this company in 2021 has assets around $28.1 Billion with liabilities around $25.1 Billion. Based on the business performance in 2021, the company gained revenue of around $71.8 Billion and $1.6 Billion
15. IKEA
IKEA is a multinational company that was founded by Ingvar Kamprad in July 1943. Nowadays, this company has its main office in Delft, Netherlands. This company is well-known for furniture, kitchen appliances, and home accessories products. Along with the development of the business company, Ikea has many branches and stores across the nations including Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, East Asia, India, Southeast Asia, Oceania, and North America.


Financially, this company has assets of around €21.4 Billion / $21.6 Billion and liabilities of around €11.2 Billion / $11.3 Billion. Based on the business performance in 2021, the company gained revenue of around €25.6 Billion / $25.8 Billion and a net income of around €1.4 Billion / $1.4 Billion.
Bibliography of 15 World’s Biggest Retail Companies
Amazon. 2022. Annual Report 2021. Accessed via https://ir.aboutamazon.com/annual-reports-proxies-and-shareholder-letters/default.aspx on July 20th, 2022.
Alibaba. 2022. Annual Report 2021. Accessed via https://www.alibabagroup.com/en/ir/reports on July 20th, 2022.
Walmart. 2022. Annual Report 2021. Accessed via https://stock.walmart.com/financials/quarterly-results/default.aspx on July 20th, 2022.
CVS Health Corporation. 2022. Annual Report 2021. Accessed via https://investors.cvshealth.com/investors/default.aspx on July 20th, 2022.
Walgreen. 2022. Annual Report 2021. Accessed via https://investor.walgreensbootsalliance.com/home/default.aspx on July 20th, 2022.
JD.COM. 2022. Annual Report 2021. Accessed via https://ir.jd.com/annual-reports on July 20th, 2022.
Home Depot. 2022. Annual Report 2021. Accessed via https://ir.homedepot.com/financial-reports/annual-reports/recent on July 20th, 2022.
Tesco. 2022. Annual Report 2021. Accessed via https://www.tescoplc.com/investors/ on July 20th, 2022.
Target. 2022. Annual Report 2021. Accessed via https://investors.target.com/annual-reports on July 20th, 2022.
Costco. 2022. Annual Report 2021. Accessed via https://investor.costco.com/financial-information/annual-reports on July 20th, 2022.
Kroger. 2022. Annual Report 2021. Accessed via https://ir.kroger.com/CorporateProfile/financial-performance/reports-statements/ on July 20th, 2022.
Carrefour. 2022. Annual Report 2021. Accessed via https://www.carrefour.com/en/finance/financial-publications on July 20th, 2022.
Lowe’s Companies. 2022. Annual Report 2021. Accessed via https://corporate.lowes.com/investors/financial-information/annual-reports-proxy-statements on July 20th, 2022.
Albertson Companies. 2022. Annual Report 2021. Accessed via https://www.albertsonscompanies.com/investors/financial-reports/annual-reports/default.aspx on July 20th, 2022.
IKEA. 2022. Annual Report 2021. Accessed via https://www.inter.ikea.com/en/performance/download-financial-reports on July 20th, 2022.