LEADING RETAILERS & THEIR ANNUAL REPORTS :
The following is a list of leading food retailing companies from around the globe that is by no means comprehensive nor meant to indicate any form of accurate ranking of the industry. It is a compilation of a variety of information accumulated through published rankings, annual reports / corporate information and so on. Due to the varying currencies and fiscal year ends and the conversion to Canadian Dollars, the sales figures shown are a " best estimate " to illustrate the overall size of operations.
In most cases the figures represent total company sales ( including non-retail business etc. ) Subsidiary information is rolled up in the parent company totals where applicable. Click on the logo for the most recent annual report ( where available ) in adobe .pdf form
|
Country of Origin |
$ Billion Cdn |
|
Comments |
 |
U.S. |
382.0 |
While continuing to expand in China and Asia in North America they are still growing. In Canada the vehicle of choice for expansion is the Sam's Club operations. | |
 |
France |
139.6 |
With 49% of sales in France alone, presently they are focusing on growth at home. In 2005 they developed a partnership with Aeon in Japan to divest their operations there. | |
 |
Netherlands |
110.4 |
From their accounting scandals and divestures in recent years Ahold has gotten back on track to where they can focus more on gains than on recovery. | |
 |
Germany |
96.0 |
At the forefront of retail technology their Future Store concept will be how we shop and retail in the years to come. Check it out at Future Store | |
 |
U.K. |
84.2 |
Profitibility and Sales help make Tesco one of the most successful and admired companies globally. It would be interesting to see what would happen if they entered North America. | |
 |
U.S. |
72.4 |
Operating under 15 different banners in the U.S. their results are impressive. Nothing international so far from them. | |
 |
Japan |
78.0 |
Involved in all areas of food retailing including supermarkets, convenience stores and restaurants, their conglomerate also includes many other non retail businesses. | |
 |
Germany |
67.6 |
In business for over 75 years, they are a retailer owned cooperative with over 11,000 stores in 13 countries. Among recent expansions is their entrance into Russia. | |
 |
U.S. |
66.6 |
Seen in North America as one of the few threats to Wal-mart, there have been rumors in Canada that they were interested in purchasing the Hudson's Bay Company. | |
 |
U.S. |
63.2 |
Present in 7 countries they have over 450 stores which are all " Members Only ". Their line of Kirkland Signature Private label products are considered to be among the best for quality. | |
 |
Japan |
62.9 |
Their purchase of Carrefour Japan will allow them a partnership where they can capitalize on the Carrefour name in their own growth. Their goal is to be among the Top 10 retailers worldwide. | |
 |
France |
61.8 |
With operations in 15 countries around the globe they have over 9,000 stores. Among them are the 230+ Smart & Final stores in the U.S. | |
 |
France |
60.2 |
After giving up U.S. operations several years ago, Auchan is focusing on European expansion as well as growth in Russia, China and Morocco. | |
 |
France |
57.7 |
In France on average you will find each of their stores within ten miles of one another. Their extensive network has operations also in Spain, Germany, Portugal among others. | |
 |
Germany |
56.7 |
Like many German retailers, they operate limited assortment discount stores which work well in the very competitive European markets. | |
 |
Germany |
56.7 |
Possibly the king of the discount format stores, the brothers who founded the company remain among the world's richest people. Only one of them remains in the business. | |
 |
U.S. |
51.8 |
The second largest " Supermarket Chain " in the U.S, the Albrecht brothers of Aldi fame own shares of the company. | |
 |
Germany |
48.4 |
The #1 food retailer in Germany, Edeka also operates in Denmark, Austria, Czech Republic and Russia. | |
 |
U.S. |
48.3 |
One of the few U.S. retailers with Canadian operations. So far their interests are only in British Columbia, Alberta and Manitoba with no signs of Eastward expansion plans. | |
 |
France |
43.8 |
Among their operations outside of France are their 10 stores in Italy that come from a partnership with Conad. | |
 |
Netherlands |
41.1 | By store count they are the largest retailer in the world with over 14,800 stores in 34 countries around the world. | |
 |
Germany |
40.5 |
Most in North America have never heard of them but they are the owners of the well known A&P chain of stores in the U.S. and Canada. | |
 |
U.K. |
37.5 |
Able to hold their own in the U.K. market, in 2004 their were rumors that the Galen Weston who owns Loblaws in Canada was looking at an offer to buy them out. | |
 |
U.K. |
31.8 |
As they continue to rebrand Safeway stores in the U.K. William Morrisons continues to solidify their position in the marketplace. | |
 |
Belgium |
29.8 |
Operating in 9 countries, the U.S. operations make up the Lion's share of revenue if you will excuse the pun. | |
 |
Australia |
29.2 |
Australia's largest overall retailer, they own the familiar Kmart and Target names among their 1,900+ stores in Australia and New Zealand. | |
 |
Australia |
28.2 |
The largest " Supermarket Chain " in Australia has one of the most thorough and informative websites with Category planning timelines and more. | |
 |
Canada |
27.7 |
Currently in the process of streamlining and centralizing with the new Head Office in Ontario. LCL remains strong as Wal-mart and others attempt to challenge Canada's leading retailer. | |
 |
U.S. |
24.1 |
With just under 900 stoes in over 39 states, Supervalu operates under 8 different banners following almost all formats. | |
 |
U.S. |
23.0 |
Located primarily in the Southern U.S., they have faced Wal-mart head on and have helped push Winn-Dixie into Chapter 11. | |
 |
U.S. |
19.5 |
The U.S. operations of Delhaize include Sweetbay Supermarkets and Bloom. The most recent format of their stores for High End consumers or shoppers looking for convenience. | |
 |
U.S. |
16.3 |
The second largest food wholesaler in the U.S. They supply a number of chains including Safeway, A&P, Pathmark and more. | |
 |
U.S. |
14.7 |
The first company to develop one-stop Superstores, the privately owned company based in the Midwest has always been known as a successful innovator. | |
 |
U.S. |
13.6 |
"H","E","B" not Heb has operations in Texas, Louisianna and Mexico. Check out their TV commercials on their website. | |
 |
U.S. |
13.3 |
Owned by Tengelmann, they continue their struggle in the competitive U.S., there have been rumors of them selling their successful Canadian operations. | |
 |
U.S. |
12.5 |
Struggling through Chapter 11 bancruptcy proceedings, they intend to reduce their store count from 913 stores to 587 in the near future. | |
 |
Canada |
12.3 |
Number 2 in Canada, they continue expansion into Central and Western parts of the country and are focusing more intently on their " Compliments " line of private label products. | |
 |
U.S. |
9.5 |
With the exception of the Pacific Northeast and California they cover almost all of the continental U.S. with over 7,500 stores in 30 states. | |
 |
U.S. |
9.1 |
Located on the Eastern portion of the U.S. in 16 states their 150+ Big Box stores are the chief rivals of Wal-mart's Sam's Club and of course Costco. | |
 |
U.S. |
8.8 |
The largest retailer owned cooperative in the U.S., they have 190+ stores in 5 states in the Northeast part of the country. | |
 |
U.S. |
6.4 |
Privately owned, they have over 219 locations in 4 states and have over 350,000 registered users of their website. | |
 |
Canada |
6.2 |
Active only in Quebec and Ontario they too have been rumored as being an acquisition target but no public offers have been aknowledged. | |
 |
U.S. |
5.9 |
A retailer owned wholesaler, their distribution network covers 21 states and over 1,200 stores. | |
 |
U.S. |
5.9 |
Primarily located in Wisconsin, they operate 125 stores primarily under the " Pick 'n Save " banner name. | |
 |
U.S. |
5.8 |
Located in the Midwest, they have 220 locations in Iowa, Kansas and 5 other states. | |
 |
U.S. |
5.1 |
Based in New Jersey, they are another well known name in retailing that have been struggling. In 2005, Yucaipa Investments with $150 million have bought 40% of the company. | |
 |
U.S. |
4.8 |
With only about 80 stores, their mainline in food distribution is in wholesale and their distribution network covers 28 states as well as serving the U.S. military in other countries outside of North America. | |
 |
U.S. |
4.8 |
Their chain of 170+ stores in the U.S. and U.K. makes them the largest retailer of all natural foods. | |
 |
U.S. |
4.0 |
Located in California, check out their Store Tour on their website for a good look at their operations. |