A list of the world’s 20 largest grocery retailers in 2008 shows discounters have made strong progress, with Lidl owner Schwarz Group moving from number nine in the rankings to fifth.

The rankings, compiled by Planet Retail, show sales at the top 20 were up 10.5% year-on-year to a combined $1.95trn.

Led by global heavyweights Wal-Mart, Carrefour, Metro and Tesco, the top 20 continued to open stores around the world – with India and Russia in particular proving to be retail hot spots – in order to offset slow growth in their domestic markets.

“Despite these difficult times, the world’s largest retailers continue to go from strength to strength,” said Planet Retail grocery research manager Natalie Berg.

“With funds for investment and high levels of buying power, the global giants have capitalised on the current scenario to boost their presence around the world.”


Top 20 global grocery retailers 2008


1 Wal-Mart, US, $434,691 million sales, 7,657 stores
2 Carrefour, France, $160,988 million sales, 13,791 stores
3 Metro Group, Germany, $115,941 million sales, 2,334 stores
4 Tesco, UK, $109,055 million sales, 4,332 stores
5 Schwarz Group, Germany, $86,139 million sales, 9,347 stores
6 AEON, Japan, $85,464 million sales, 15,648 stores
7 Seven & I, Japan, $84,965 million sales, 25,137 stores
8 Kroger, US, $79,952 million sales, 3,550 stores
9 Costco, US, $78,750 million sales, 543 stores
10 Rewe Group, Germany, $78,650 million sales, 14,714 stores
11 Aldi, Germany, $73,477 million sales, 9,012 stores
12 Auchan, France, $73,441 million sales, 2,777 stores
13 Sears, US, $67,854 million sales, 4,403 stores
14 Target, US $67,680 million sales, 1,682 stores
15 Casino, France, $66,892 million sales, 9,982 stores
16 Ahold, Netherlands, $65,053 million sales, 5,504 stores
17 Walgreens, US, $62,104 million sales, 6,934 stores
18 Edeka, Germany, $55,992 million sales, 13,065 stores
19 CVS, US, $52,589 million sales, 6,351 stores
20 Leclerc, France, $51,196 million sales, 980 stores


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