The grocery market in the United States is one of the biggest in the world, with annual sales of more than $800 billion last year alone.
The past year saw food prices rise at levels not seen since the 1980s, with an 11% increase in the price of a typical basket of goods. As we head into the second half of the year, inflation levels appear to be tapering off somewhat, meaning that food prices are expected to grow more slowly this year, at around 6.5%, according to US Department of Agriculture. At the same time, shoppers are increasingly hungry for value, with a recent study noting the increasing share of discount retailers and dollar stores.
Here's an overview of the top ten supermarket retail chains in the United States, according to their most recently-available full-year turnover.
1. Walmart Turnover: $611.3 billion (2022)*
Walmart is the largest supermarket chain in the United States, and indeed the world, with a *global turnover of $611.3 billion (€556.45 billion) in 2022.
The group operates more than 10,500 stores globally, while in the US its banners include Walmart, Walmart Supercenter, and Sam's Club. Its US sales stood at around $393 billion in 2021.
2. Costco
Turnover: $162.6 billion (estimated – 2022)
Costco is a membership-based warehouse club that operates some 838 stores worldwide, of which 578 are based in the United States.
The group reported global revenue of $222.7 billion (€202.7 billion) last year, up from $192 billion the previous year. In its annual report, Costco said that 27% of its net sales were generated from its international operations (including Canada), meaning that the remainder, for the US, equates to approximately $162.6 billion.
3. Kroger Turnover: $148.3 billion (2022)
Reporting sales of $148.3 billion (€135 billion) last year, Kroger operates more than 2.800 stores under a variety of banners, including Kroger, Ralphs, and Fred Meyer. The company is also one of the largest employers in the United States, with over 500,000 employees.
4. Target Turnover: $109 billion (2022)
Target saw its total revenue grow by $3 billion last year to $109 billion, and has added an additional $30 billion to its revenues since 2019.
Although Target is primarily known for its department store operations, the company also operates comprehensive grocery operations, with a total of 1.,948 stores across the US as of 2021. According to the company, 75% of the US population lives within 10 miles of a Target store.
5. Albertsons Turnover: $77.6 billion (2022)
Based in Boise, Idaho, Albertsons reported turnover of $77.6 billion (€70.6 billion) in 2022, a year in which same-store sales rose by 6.9%. Albertsons operates more than 2,200 stores across the United States under various banners such as Safeway, Vons, and Jewel-Osco.
Albertsons is currently in merger discussion talks with Kroger, which is likely to require store divestures, with Amazon seen as a potential suitor for any offloaded outlets.
6. Ahold Delhaize Turnover: $57.9 billion (2022)
Based in the Netherlands, Ahold Delhaize is the parent company of several retail chains in the United States, including Food Lion, Giant Food, and Stop & Shop, which collectively operate over 2,000 stores.
Ahold Delhaize reported sales of €87 billion in 2022, of which the United States accounted for €55.2 billion ($57.96 billion), seeing comparable sales up 6.8% year-on-year.
7. Publix Turnover: $54.5 billion (2022)
Publix is a Florida-based supermarket chain that operates more than 1,200 stores across the southeastern United States, specifically Florida, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.
The group, which was founded in 1930, reported turnover of $54.5 billion in its 2022 financial year, a 13.6% increase on the previous year, it said.
8. H-E-B Turnover: $38.9 billion (2022)
H-E-B is a Texas-based supermarket chain that operates more than 400 stores. Based in San Antonio, the group employs some 145,000 people. According to Forbes, H-E-B reported a turnover of $38.9 billion (€35.4 billion) in its most recent fiscal year.
9. Aldi Turnover: $37 billion (estimated – 2021)
Discounter Aldi has had a presence in the United States since 1976, and reported an estimated turnover of $37 billion (€33.67 billion) in 2021, according to Statista. The Batavia, Illinois-based firm boasts more than 2,000 stores across 36 states.
10. 7-Eleven Turnover: $23.8 billion (estimated - 2021)
Convenience store giant 7-Eleven reported a turnover of $23.84 billion (€21.66 billion) in the United States in 2021, according to Statista data. The group operates more than 12,600 stores across the country.
Source: ESM
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