Walmart maintained its position as the world’s top retailer in 2025 on the NRF and Kantar Top 50 Global Retailers list, navigating tariffs, AI disruption, and policy volatility while leaning into smaller-format, value-focused grocery stores that match shifting consumer and channel dynamics.
Key Takeaways
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Walmart holds the global lead: Walmart again ranked No. 1 on the National Retail Federation and Kantar Top 50 Global Retailers list, ahead of Amazon and European giants such as Schwarz Group, Aldi, and Carrefour.
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Smaller formats support Walmart’s strategy: Executives highlighted that Walmart is expanding smaller discount grocery formats outside the U.S. and Canada, aligning the company with a broader global trend in which compact, value-oriented stores outperformed large hypermarkets.
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Leadership transition at the top: As the NRF/Kantar ranking continues to focus on retail-specific revenue across multiple countries, Walmart also entered a new era of leadership, with John Furner succeeding longtime CEO Doug McMillon in early 2026.
