Dive Brief:

• Wal-Mart has maintained its top retail position on Forbes’ Global 2000 list of the biggest and most powerful public global companies, ranking 15th overall on the list despite store closings and expensive moves to boost e-commerce. The list ranks companies based on revenue, profits, assets, and market value. 

• But Amazon is swiftly rising, jumping 222 spots from last year to No. 236 and the 8th largest retailer, moving up thanks to its powerful logistics and fast delivery times. 

• Home improvement stores like Home Depot and Lowe’s are doing well, but retailers tied to malls like Macy’s are faltering, according to Forbes. Macy's slid 105 spots to No. 516 this year, although it’s still the world’s 12th largest retailer. And while it’s not tied to malls, Kohl’s slid down by 157 spots to No. 809.

Dive Insight:

On the surface, not all that much has changed on Forbes’ list of the biggest and most powerful global companies. But the movement within it reflects the current challenges in retail, and the progress being made by Amazon.

Drugstore retailers CVS Health and Walgreens Boots Alliance join Wal-Mart as the top three retailers on the list, and their moves to solidify their lucrative health care operations will likely help keep them in those top spots. Forbes notes that home improvement retailers are enjoying shelter from many current retail woes spurred by changing consumer tastes and price pressures, because shoppers seem willing to plunk down money for their homes.

But in apparel and general retail, companies like Macy’s and Kohl’s are slipping while Amazon is on the rise. The e-commerce giant is on the march, with significant moves in apparel that could see it overtake Macy’s as the nation’s number one apparel retailer by 2017. 

Amazon's digital and physical prowess is also forcing brick-and-mortar stores to invest in digital and omnichannel operations, while its massive fulfillment operations have largely escaped the problems (along with the advantages) of physical stores. Along with a massive network of fulfillment centers and delivery ambitions, Amazon is also making it easier to shop there with innovations like its Dash program, which allows replenishment of commodity goods with the touch of a button installed within a customer's home. 

The Forbes list tells another story commonly told in retail these days, that off-price retail is extremely appealing to consumers. TJ Maxx parent TJX Cos. remains healthy at No. 412 and fast-fashioned retailers H&M (No. 459) and Zara parent Inditex (No. 310), which have also kept up pressures for low prices and speedy fulfillment, continue to draw shoppers.