Dive Brief:
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With net sales of $473.1 billion, a 1.6% increase from the year before, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. held the top spot in Fortune’s list of the top 500 companies that are incorporated and operating in the U.S. and filing financial statements with a U.S. government agency.
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Several retail companies moved up in this year’s ranking. Apple placed in the top five, moving from number 6. CVS Caremark is at number 12 from 13; Costco Wholesale at number 19 from 22; Amazon number 35 from 49; Target stayed at number 36; Walgreens stayed at 37; and Lowe’s Companies moved from 56 to 52.
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To compile its list, Fortune magazine used information for the fiscal year ending on or before Jan. 31, and numbers for the year ending Dec. 31, 2013.
Dive Insight:
To be on Fortune magazine’s list of the biggest 500 U.S. companies is a mark of distinction, and the list is an economic indicator of sorts. Several of the country’s largest retailers, a mix of general and specialty retail, have maintained their place or inched up the list, showing that the economy may be improving somewhat for the retail sector.
