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Global Powers of Retailing 2015

Embracing innovation

Deloitte and STORES Media co-authored the 2015 Global Powers of Retailing, Embracing Innovation White Paper. The 250 largest retailers around the world are analyzed based on their financial performance, geographic region, product sector and e-commerce activities.

The top 250 global retailers generated revenue of US$4.4 trillion in fiscal year 2013, each with an average size of more than US$17.4 billion. This report is based on the retail innovative trends to forecast 2015, and also to address strategies for retailers when facing the disruptive changes. The report also indicates top retail trends in 2015:

Travel retailing –International tourism is set to continue to rise above expectations despite continuing global geopolitical and economic challenges. The expanding middle classes of emerging markets are traveling to the world’s capitals and boosting retail sales.  For example, over half of France’s 16 billion Euros luxury industry depends on tourists. In 2015, retailers are expected to increasingly cater to high-spending travelers, especially emerging market tourists to drive growth.

Mobile retailing – Mobile retailing is expected to continue to grow aggressively. 65 percent of the global population will be using a mobile phone by 2015 and an estimated 83 percent of internet usage will be through handheld devices.  Retailers will need to respond by offering free in-store Wi-Fi and mobile-friendly retail websites to meet different kinds of personal devices.  Privacy and security will become increasingly important as trust, transparency and protecting customer information will be critical in retaining loyalty as mobile retailing becomes the norm. 

Faster retailing - Speed continues to remain an important trend in retail. This includes: “fast fashion” (getting runway styles to the stores as soon as possible); limited-time-only products and flash sales to drive urgency and immediate purchase; pop-up establishments to quickly get products and services to market and build buzz; and self-service check-out and kiosks to reduce or eliminate waiting. In 2015, retailing forecasts that it will get even faster to meet consumers’ desires. Millennials will be driving much of this as they are the largest generation, with a lot of spending power, and carry a lot of influence. They prefer fast response and immediate gratification, and retailers will cater to that.

Experience retailing - Retailing is no longer just about the product, but the experience. Retailers will continue to explore innovative ways to enhance the buying experience for their customers through social media campaigns, festivals, fashion shows and interactive displays.

Innovative retailing - The retail industry will continue to be disrupted by new technologies and innovative competition. More retailers are likely to adopt innovative practices, embrace technology and use it in creative ways.   

(English version)

Appendix I: 2013 Top 10 global retailers

Retail revenue rank (FY13)

Name of company 

Location/Country of origin

2013
Retail revenue 
(US $mil)

1

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

U.S.

476,294

2

Costco Wholesale Corporation

U.S.

105,156

3

Carrefour S.A.

France

98,688

4

Schwarz Unternehmens Treuhand KG

Germany

98,662e  

5

Tesco PLC

U.K.

98,631

6

The Kroger Co.

U.S.

98,375

7

Metro Ag¹

Germany

86,393e

8

Aldi Einkauf GmbH & Co. oHG

Germany

81,090e

9

The Home Depot, Inc.

U.S.

78,812

10

Target Corporation

U.S.

72,596

Top 10²

$1,294,698

Top 250²

$4,354,562

Top 10 share of Top 250 retail revenue

29.7%

¹ Metro changed its fiscal year from end of December to end of September. Fiscal 2013 results reported here include the 9 months ended 30 September 2013 plus the quarter ended 31 December 2013 to create a 12-month period equivalent to prior years. 
² Sales-weighted, currency-adjusted composites 
e = estimate

 

Appendix II: 2013 Chinese companies in Top 250

Retail revenue rank (FY13)

Name of company 

Location/Country of origin

2013
Retail revenue
(US $mil)

51

A.S. Watson Group

HKSAR

19,230**

59

Suning Commerce Group Co., Ltd.

China

16,616

69

Gome Home Appliance Group

China

13,441e

78

China Resources Enterprise, Limited

HKSAR

12,258

92

JD.com, Inc. (formerly Beijing Jingdong Century Trade Co., Ltd. and 360buy Jingdong Inc.)

China

10,827

98

Dairy Farm International Holdings Limited

HKSAR

10,357

104

Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Limited

HKSAR

9,979**

129

Shanghai Friendship Group Incorporated Co.

China

8,166**

156

President Chain Store Corp.

Taiwan

6,136e

162

Belle International Holdings Limited

HKSAR

5,856

179

Dashang Co., Ltd.

China

5,047

188

Chongqing Department Store Co., Ltd.

China

4,733

189

Yonghui Superstores Co., Ltd.

China

4,733

197

Nonggongshang Supermarket (Group) Co. Ltd.

China

4,538e

e = estimate
** Revenue includes wholesale and retail sales

 

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