Walmart is a powerhouse in the US retail industry, holding a substantial 6.3% share. Recognized as one of the world’s most reputable and valuable brands, Walmart’s brand value stands at an impressive $96.8 billion.
The company reaches 240 million customers weekly through its network of over 10,620 discount stores and warehouse clubs spanning 24 countries. In fiscal year 2024, Walmart achieved a record-breaking revenue of $665 billion, alongside a gross profit of $163.7 billion—reflecting year-over-year increases of 5.4% and 7.31%, respectively. [1]
Walmart is increasingly investing in digital innovation. Its US e-commerce sales have surged nearly sixfold, from $13.8 billion in 2017 to $82 billion in 2023. Walmart is now ranked second in the Top 1000 by Digital Commerce 360, a ranking of North America’s leading online retailers by web sales. [2]
While Walmart is known for its low prices, some competitors occasionally offer even better deals, particularly around holidays or major sales events. Below, we explore the biggest Walmart competitors, which offer unique in-store or online shopping experiences. Many provide a wider range of niche or premium products in categories such as electronics, clothing, and organic foods.
Did you know?
Walmart is one of the world’s largest employers, with a workforce of over 2.1 million people worldwide, including 1.6 million in the United States. The company has steadily increased its average hourly wage, reaching approximately $19.87 as of 2024.
Table of Contents
17. Meijer
Founded: 1934Today we announced our $2M donation to 30 of our food bank partners across the Midwest, a surprise gift that will help them feed more families and individuals facing food insecurity. Read more: https://t.co/ywdJnPDK7X #meijercommunity pic.twitter.com/7FC8Y7Yso5
— Meijer (@meijer) March 28, 2024
Number of Stores: 232+
Annual Revenue: $21 billion
Competitive edge: Strong regional presence
Meijer is a key player in the US retail industry, having evolved from a small grocery store into the 14th-largest private company in the US and the 23rd-largest retailer by revenue.
Known for pioneering the “supercenter” concept, Meijer combines grocery and general merchandise under one roof, catering to a wide range of consumer needs. The company operates over 500 supercenters, grocery stores, neighborhood markets, and express locations across six states and employs 70,000+ people. [3]
Since Meijer is a family-owned business, it can focus on long-term growth without the shareholder pressures faced by publicly traded companies, allowing it to invest steadily in innovation, employee development, and community outreach.
16. Woolworths Supermarkets
Founded: 1924Number of Stores: 1,117+
Annual Revenue: $42.56 billion
Competitive edge: Everyday Rewards program
Woolworths is Australia’s largest grocery retailer, commanding a 37% market share and offering a comprehensive selection of products, from fresh produce to packaged goods.
The company operates primarily on a high-volume, low-margin model, leveraging economies of scale to offer competitive prices and maximize market share. It promotes a range of private label products, including “Macro” for organic and health-focused shoppers and “Essentials” for budget-conscious customers. These private brands help Woolworths control pricing and margins while appealing to various demographics. [4]
In recent years, Woolworths has heavily invested in its online platform, offering convenient click-and-collect and home delivery options. In FY 2024, the Woolworths Group’s e-commerce sales reached $5.2 billion.
15. Sainsbury’s
Number of Stores: 1400+
Annual Revenue: $37.98 billion
Competitive edge: Appeals to environmentally conscious consumers
Sainsbury’s is one of the oldest and largest supermarket chains in the UK. It operates a mix of superstores, convenience stores, and an online shopping platform. It focuses on three parameters: high-quality groceries, convenience, and competitive pricing.
With over 18 million weekly transactions, Sainsbury’s serves a wide customer base, appealing to quality-conscious shoppers through its mid-tier pricing model and premium product lines.
It also generates revenue from non-food items, such as clothing and household goods, as well as financial services through Sainsbury’s Bank, which offers credit cards, insurance, and loans. In 2023, Sainsbury’s bank revenue grew to $411 million.
With over 16 million weekly transactions, Sainsbury’s serves a broad customer base, appealing to quality-conscious shoppers through its mid-tier pricing model and premium product lines. Across the UK, it operates over 1400 stores, including 600 superstores and 800+ local convenience stores. [5]
14. Aldi
Founded: 1946Number of Stores: 12,500+
Annual Revenue: $121 billion
Competitive edge: No-frills approach
Aldi is a global discount supermarket chain known for its no-frills, cost-effective business model. It has two independent divisions: Aldi Nord and Aldi Süd. The company maintains a singular website for both brands.
Nearly 90% of Aldi’s products are private label, allowing the company to maintain high margins while keeping prices low for consumers. Unlike traditional grocery stores, which often carry over 30,000 items, Aldi focuses on a streamlined product selection, typically offering around 1,400–1,800 items.
By 2024, Aldi had expanded to 2,356 stores in the US, more than doubling its presence from 1,140 stores in 2011. The chain has built a loyal following, with 27% of shoppers aged 30 to 49 and 24% of those aged 18 to 29 reporting they regularly shop at Aldi. [6]
13. Walgreens Boots Alliance
Founded: 2014Number of Stores: 12,700+
Annual Revenue: $147.7 billion
Competitive edge: Widespread retail and pharmacy locations
Formed in 2014 through the merger of Walgreens (US) and Alliance Boots (UK), Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) is a leading global pharmacy and retail company based in the United States. Known for its quality and convenience, WBA has cultivated strong customer loyalty.
The company’s extensive retail and pharmacy locations in urban, suburban, and rural regions make it highly accessible to a diverse customer base. It employs over 312,000 people worldwide, positioning it among the largest employers in the health and retail industries. [7]
Unlike Walmart’s diversified retail model, WBA places a focused emphasis on health and wellness, particularly pharmacy and healthcare services. Through its partnership with VillageMD, WBA has expanded into primary care by opening clinics within Walgreens locations.
However, in 2024, WBA reported that only 75% of its 8,600 U.S. locations were profitable, prompting plans to close over 2,000 stores by 2027 to streamline operations.
12. Best Buy
Founded: 1966Number of Stores: 900+
Annual Revenue: $43.45 billion
Competitive edge: Geek Squad and service offerings
Best Buy is the largest consumer electronics retailer in the US, with nearly 8.3% of the North American market and 33% of offline sales in the region. With over 900 stores across the US and Canada, the company has adapted over the years to stay competitive in an increasingly digital marketplace. [8]
They maintain large physical stores, allowing customers to browse products, receive in-person assistance, and pick up online orders in-store. In recent years, online sales have become a substantial part of their revenue, making up about 33% of total sales.
Services like Geek Squad give Best Buy a significant competitive advantage, as no other large electronics retailer offers comparable in-house technical support. Geek Squad adds value for customers by providing repairs, protection plans, and ongoing tech support.
11. Dollar General
Number of Stores: 20,000+
Annual Revenue: $39.6 billion
Competitive edge: Rural market dominance
Dollar General has become one of the most significant players in the American retail industry, particularly in rural and underserved areas. It primarily sells low-cost household items, groceries, and general merchandise, often in small-format stores that are easy to access for communities without major supermarkets or department stores.
Unlike large big-box retailers, Dollar General stores are typically around 7,300 square feet. In the past decade, they have benefited from increased consumer demand as shoppers seek affordable options for essential goods.
By 2023, Dollar General had expanded to over 20,022 stores, more than doubling its 2011 count of 9,937. The consumables category remains Dollar General’s top revenue driver, generating $31.3 billion, while the home products segment adds $2.1 billion. In 2024, Dollar General reported a total revenue of $39.6 billion, alongside a gross profit of $11.7 billion. [9]
10. IKEA
Number of Stores: 476+
Annual Revenue: $50.5 billion
Competitive edge: Offers unique in-store experiences
IKEA is one of the world’s leading furniture retailers, known for its easy-to-assemble furniture, innovative design, and affordable prices. Its flat-pack concept revolutionized the furniture market, which minimizes shipping costs and storage space.
IKEA operates 476 stores globally, including 283 in Europe, 82 in Asia, 73 in North America, and 19 in the Middle East. These stores feature a unique layout, guiding customers through showrooms in a one-way path to maximize product exposure. Many locations also include in-store restaurants and play areas, encouraging customers to spend more time in-store.
In 2023, IKEA ranked as the 7th most valuable retail brand worldwide, with a brand value of $21 billion. Online purchases accounted for about 23% of IKEA’s total sales, up from 22% in FY 2022. In the same year, IKEA stores welcomed approximately 860 million visitors. [10]
9. Home Depot
Number of Stores: 2,340+
Annual Revenue: $152 billion
Competitive edge: Specialized product for home improvement
Home Depot is the largest home improvement retailer in the United States, with a brand value of $52.8 billion. Operating a big-box retail model, its spacious stores are stocked with a wide range of products for home improvement, construction, and gardening needs.
The company primarily serves professional contractors, homeowners, and DIY enthusiasts, providing an extensive selection of home improvement products. It emphasizes a high-inventory, low-margin strategy similar to Walmart’s approach, relying on high-volume sales to drive revenue.
Home Depot’s stores carry over 35,000 SKUs, while its online platform offers more than 1 million items. Through its “One Home Depot” strategy, the company ensures a seamless shopping experience across physical and digital channels. [11]
With over 2,340 stores—primarily in the US—Home Depot reported a gross profit of $51 billion and a net income of $14.7 billion in 2024.
8. Lidl
Number of Stores: 12,350+
Annual Revenue: $132.5 billion
Competitive edge: Private-label dominance
Lidl is a global discount supermarket chain renowned for its low prices and streamlined operations. Its business model centers on highly efficient, minimalist store layouts to reduce operational costs, focusing on essential products and a limited inventory.
Lidl operates nearly 12,350 stores and 225 distribution centers across 31 countries, with each store carrying an average of 3,000 products. Around 80% of its inventory consists of private-label items, allowing Lidl to maintain quality while keeping prices low. From 2017 to 2020, Lidl received over 500 awards for its product quality and shopping experience. [12]
Unlike many regional discount grocers, Lidl has successfully expanded across Europe, the UK, and the US, adapting its model to suit local markets. The company has also heavily invested in e-commerce, with online sales projected to reach $3.5 billion by 2026.
7. Alibaba
Founded: 1999Number of Stores: 400+
Annual Revenue: $131.5 billion
Competitive edge: Dominance in Chinese markets
Known as the “Amazon of China,” Alibaba’s ecosystem is vast — it includes e-commerce, cloud computing, digital media, logistics, entertainment, and financial services. While the company primarily operates as an e-commerce giant, it has made notable strides in the physical retail sector through its “new retail” strategy, which integrates online and offline shopping experiences.
Alibaba operates over 300 Freshippo stores in China, which serve as flagship examples of its “new retail” model. Each store functions as both a retail space and a distribution center for online orders, optimizing efficiency and delivery speed.
Alibaba has also invested in traditional retail by acquiring a majority stake in Intime Department Stores, which operates over 100 department stores and shopping centers. In 2020, Alibaba strengthened its offline presence by acquiring a majority stake in Sun Art Retail Group, one of China’s largest hypermarket chains, with over 472 hypermarkets and 32 superstores.
6. Tesco
Number of Stores: 4,942+
Annual Revenue: $83.45 billion
Competitive edge: Market leadership in the UK
Tesco is the leading grocery retailer in the United Kingdom, with over 27% of the market share. It operates several store formats, including Tesco Superstores, Tesco Express (convenience stores), Tesco Extra (hypermarkets), and Tesco Metro (smaller city-center stores).
To encourage repeat purchases, Tesco offers the Clubcard Loyalty Program, which not only boosts customer retention but also provides valuable insights into customer preferences. In a popular survey, the Tesco Clubcard was rated the most consumer-friendly loyalty program in the UK, scoring an impressive 99 out of 100 points. This data allows Tesco to optimize its inventory and fine-tune its marketing strategies, making its offerings more relevant to its shoppers. [13]
Tesco leverages advanced data analytics to enhance business decision-making. For example, by integrating weather data with customer behavior insights, Tesco boosted sales by nearly 40%. They have a total of 81 patents worldwide, of which 8% are active. Maximum number of patents have been filed in Europe, the UK, and Canada.
5. 7-Eleven
Number of Stores: 84,500+
Annual Revenue: $79.79 billion
Competitive edge: Ideal for quick, low-cost shopping trips
7-Eleven is one of the world’s largest and most recognized convenience store chains. About 85% of 7-Eleven stores are franchise-owned, allowing the company to expand rapidly without directly managing every location. Franchisees benefit from a recognized brand, supply chain efficiencies, and access to popular proprietary products. [14]
7-Eleven offers a mix of branded and private-label products, including popular items like Big Gulp, Slurpee, and freshly prepared foods. Their merchandise ranges from snacks and drinks to essentials and hot food, focusing on high-demand items with quick turnover.
As of 2023, 7-Eleven had 84,500 stores in 19 countries and territories, with notable concentrations in North America and Asia, especially Japan and South Korea. That year, the company generated $27.88 billion in retail sales in the United States, capturing a 34.2% share of the convenience store market.
4. Kroger
Founded: 1883Number of Stores: 2,750+
Annual Revenue: $150.2 billion
Competitive edge: Extensive private label portfolio
Kroger is the largest traditional grocery retailer in the United States. As a household name in American grocery retail, Kroger operates 2,719 stores, including 2,273 combo stores, 191 marketplace stores, 134 multi-department stores, and 121 price-impact warehouse stores.
The company operates 2,256 pharmacies, 1,585 supermarket fuel centers, 225 in-store medical clinics, 170 fine jewelry stores, and 35 manufacturing plants. They strongly focus on private-label brands such as “Simple Truth” (natural and organic foods) and “Private Selection” (premium products). [15]
Kroger has also invested significantly in online and omnichannel services, offering convenient pickup and delivery options through strategic partnerships and acquisitions, such as Home Chef for meal kits.
Although Kroger has grown to become the world’s second-largest hypermarket chain, it has not expanded internationally; 100% of its revenue still comes from its operations within the United States. In FY 2024, its gross revenue stood at $33.6 billion, a 4.17% increase year over year.
3. Amazon
Number of Stores: 600+
Annual Revenue: $604.3 billion
Competitive edge: Data-driven insights
Amazon, primarily known as an e-commerce business, has been expanding its physical retail presence in the US and internationally, aiming to reach more customers in innovative, multi-format stores. Its physical retail portfolio includes Amazon Fresh grocery stores, Amazon Books, Amazon Go, Amazon 4-Star, and Amazon Pop-up shops.
This expansion is part of Amazon’s strategy to bridge its digital presence with a physical footprint. In 2024, net sales from these locations reached $20.5 billion. [16]
Compared to Walmart, Amazon benefits from the rapid growth and diversification of its e-commerce and AWS segments. AWS’s high margins give Amazon a profitability edge, while Walmart relies primarily on its lower-margin retail operations.
Amazon’s ability to reinvest profits into new technologies and innovations further strengthens its competitive position. In 2024, Amazon’s R&D spending reached $85.9 billion, marking a 3.98% increase from the previous year.
2. Target
Number of Stores: 1,956+
Annual Revenue: $107.3 billion
Competitive edge: Private label brands
Target combines value-oriented pricing with a curated selection of high-quality products. It appeals to a more affluent, design-conscious customer compared to Walmart, attracting millennials and young families looking for affordable yet stylish products.
The company focuses on seasonal, trendy products and exclusive brand partnerships, attracting a younger, fashion-forward audience. Its robust lineup of exclusive private-label brands, such as “A New Day” for apparel and “Opalhouse” for home decor, boosts both profitability and customer loyalty.
Target also seamlessly integrates its in-store and online experiences with services like drive-up, same-day delivery, and ship-from-store options, making it convenient for customers to shop across channels. Serving over 30 million customers weekly, Target operates 1,963 stores across the U.S., with more than 75% of the population living within a 10-mile radius of a location. [17]
1. Costco
Number of Warehouses: 890+
Annual Revenue: $254.5 billion
Competitive edge: Fewer SKUs keep overhead low
Founded in 1983 in Seattle, Washington, Costco has expanded to become the world’s third-largest retailer, competing directly with Walmart, particularly in the bulk sales and warehouse space. [18]
Its business model revolves around a membership system, which provides a steady revenue stream. Customers pay an annual membership fee ($65 for basic Gold Star and $120 for Gold Star Executive), which allows them to access Costco’s bulk-purchase discounts on various products.
Membership programs are a key revenue driver for Costco, generating over $4.6 billion annually while strengthening customer loyalty and encouraging repeat purchases. [19]
Costco offers products at competitive prices by leveraging high-volume purchasing and a streamlined selection, typically carrying only about 4,000 items compared to Walmart’s 140,000. This approach helps Costco minimize overhead costs, allowing it to pass on greater savings to customers.
Read More
Sources Cited and Additional References- Retail & Trade, Walmart’s stats and facts, Statista
- E-Commerce, Why Walmart’s e-commerce business is growing so fast, Retail Brew
- About Page, Meijer by the numbers, Meijer
- Our Brands, Top picks from our range, Woolworths
- Key Information, Offering delicious, great quality food at competitive prices, Sainsbury’s
- Retail & Trade, Retail sales of Aldi in the United States, Statista
- About Us, Integrated healthcare, pharmacy and retail leader, Walgreens Boots Alliance
- Stocks Information, Best Buy is the largest pure-play consumer electronics retailer in the US, MorningStar
- Fast Facts, 75% percent of the U.S. population currently lives within five miles of a Dollar General store, Dollar General
- Retail & Trade, Ikea’s stats and facts, Statista
- About Us, The world’s largest home improvement retailer with 2,300+ stores across North America, Home Depot
- Home Page, Lidl operates 12,350 stores and 225 distribution and logistics centers in 31 countries, Lidl
- Advertising & Marketing, Supermarket loyalty programs with highest consumer awareness level in the UK, Statista
- Retail & Trade, Total number of Seven-Eleven stores, Statista
- Business and Operations, We operate 2,750 grocery retail stores under a variety of banner names, Kroger
- Retail & Trade, Physical store sales value of Amazon in the US and worldwide, Statista
- Fast Facts, 45+ owned brands and $107 billion in total revenue as of 2023, Target
- Ben Gran, Costco recently announced that the company earned $4.6 billion last year in membership fees, Fool
