In its annual 2024 report, the Flywheel platform has ranked Europe's leading food retail giants based on gross sales forecasts. Schwarz Group, Lidl's parent company, is this list's undisputed leader with an estimated revenue of 186,000 million euros, far surpassing its competitors.
Rewe Group ranked second with a turnover of 97.100 million euros, closely followed by Aldi, with sales of 89,000 million euros. French brand Carrefour ranked fourth, with 73,800 million euros. According to the latest available data, Carrefour generated 68,846 million euros in the first nine months of the year, a stable result compared to the previous year (-0.3%), but with an 11% growth in comparable terms.
Edeka rounds out the top five with revenues estimated at 73,200 million euros. The other major players in the top ten are Tesco (72,700 million euros), E. Leclerc (50,500 million euros), Ahold Delhaize (43,300 million euros), Intermarché (43,200 million euros), and X5 Retail Group (41,900 million euros).
The report highlights that all the retailers in the top 50 managed to increase their sales in 2024, except for the French group Casino, which suffered a 20% drop. This decline is attributed to financial problems stemming from years of debt-driven acquisitions and loss of market share.
Casino has carried out numerous sales transactions to alleviate its financial situation. The most outstanding are the sale of 30 assets to Tikehau Capital, the sale of its stake in the Éxito chain, and agreements to transfer stores to Auchan Retail France and Rocca, including its Codim 2 subsidiary in Corsica.
Schwarz Group's leadership, driven by its efficient business model and distribution network, strengthens its position in a highly competitive market. Meanwhile, others such as Carrefour and Tesco face challenges in maintaining their share in an environment marked by inflation and changing consumer preferences.
The more detailed publication of the ranking, which should be out soon, will shed light on the key strategies that are setting trends in the European retail sector. The dynamism of the major players will undoubtedly continue to define the food industry's landscape in the coming years.
Source: revistainforetail.com