Walmart is the largest retailer in the world, with revenue of about $681 billion a year, followed by Amazon and Costco. US chains dominate the list, alongside Germany’s Schwarz Group (Lidl) and China’s JD.com and Alibaba.
The largest retailers in the world (2026)
Ranked by revenue, Walmart has been the world’s biggest retailer for decades, selling more than the next two chains combined. Amazon is closing the gap through e-commerce, while warehouse club Costco and Europe’s Schwarz Group round out the top tier. Figures are from the latest fiscal year.
| Rank | Retailer | Country | Revenue (USD bn) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Walmart | USA | 681.0 |
| 2 | Amazon | USA | 638.0 |
| 3 | Costco | USA | 275.2 |
| 4 | Schwarz Group (Lidl) | Germany | ~190 |
| 5 | Home Depot | USA | 159.5 |
| 6 | JD.com | China | 158.8 |
| 7 | Aldi | Germany | ~155 |
| 8 | Kroger | USA | 147.1 |
| 9 | Alibaba | China | ~137 |
| 10 | Target | USA | 106.6 |
Revenue for the latest fiscal year; Schwarz Group and Aldi are private, so their figures are approximate.
What the ranking tells us
Retail is a game of scale. In early 2026 Walmart became the first retailer ever to reach a $1 trillion market value (CNBC), and its US sales alone dwarf most rivals. The world’s 250 largest retailers together take in more than $6 trillion a year (Deloitte). The clearest trend is the shift online: Amazon is growing faster than Walmart, and Chinese e-commerce giants JD.com and Alibaba now sit among the ten biggest.
Key takeaways
- Walmart is the world’s largest retailer, with about $681 billion in revenue.
- Amazon and Costco follow; US chains dominate the top ten.
- Walmart became the first retailer to reach a $1 trillion market value (2026).
- The world’s 250 biggest retailers earn over $6 trillion a year (Deloitte).
Frequently asked questions
What is the largest retailer in the world?
Walmart, with revenue of about $681 billion a year — more than any other retailer on Earth. It has held the top spot for decades and, in 2026, became the first retailer worth $1 trillion.
Is Amazon bigger than Walmart?
By retail revenue, Walmart is still larger (~$681 billion vs ~$638 billion), but Amazon is worth more to investors by market value and is growing faster. Which is “bigger” depends on the measure.
What is the largest non-US retailer?
Germany’s Schwarz Group, owner of the discount chains Lidl and Kaufland, with revenue around $190 billion. China’s JD.com and Alibaba are the largest Asian retailers.
Sources
- Walmart, 2025 Annual Report — retrieved 2026-07-05 — corporate.walmart.com
- CNBC, Walmart hits $1 trillion market cap — retrieved 2026-07-05 — cnbc.com
- Deloitte, Global Powers of Retailing — retrieved 2026-07-05 — deloitte.com
Last updated: July 4, 2026
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