Amazon Surpasses Walmart as World’s Largest Retailer by Sales
Amazon Surpasses Walmart as World's Largest Retailer by Sales
Amazon Surpasses Walmart as World’s Largest Retailer by Sales
Amazon has officially overtaken Walmart to become the world’s biggest company by annual sales, marking the end of Walmart’s over-a-decade-long dominance. In 2025, Amazon reported $717 billion in revenue, edging out Walmart’s $713 billion for its fiscal year ending January 2026.
Amazon’s Revenue Surge
Amazon’s full-year 2025 net sales reached $716.9 billion to $717 billion, up about 12% from $638 billion in 2024. Key drivers included its retail operations at $464 billion, AWS cloud services nearing $129 billion, and over $100 billion from advertising and Prime subscriptions. The Q4 2025 quarter alone hit a record $213.4 billion, fueled by 14% growth in net sales.
Walmart’s Solid Performance
Walmart achieved $713.2 billion in total revenue for fiscal 2025, reflecting steady 5.1% growth adjusted for inflation. Its Q4 revenue climbed to $190.7 billion, up 4.9% in constant currency, with operating income rising 10.5%. Despite the close race, Walmart’s scale remains unmatched in physical retail, where over 90% of sales originate.
Ecommerce Momentum at Walmart
Walmart’s global ecommerce sales grew 24% in Q4 fiscal 2026, now comprising 23% of total net sales—a company record. U.S. ecommerce surged 27%, supported by faster delivery options and AI tools like its Sparky chatbot boosting basket sizes. This digital push, including 60% growth in under-three-hour deliveries, positions Walmart strongly against Amazon.
Broader Implications
The shift highlights Amazon’s tech diversification beyond retail, while Walmart accelerates online to protect its empire. Both giants posted market caps over $1 trillion—Amazon at $2 trillion—with retail innovation key amid AI and fast delivery trends.
