The Current State of the Top 10 Department Stores in the World
The top 10 department stores in the world are contributing to a fast-growing global department store industry in 2020. The global department store industry is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5% by 2025. Macy’s, Kohl’s, and Sears are the top department stores in the world by revenue. The global department store industry is mainly dominated by chains from the USA, Japan, and the UK, but this detailed breakdown conducted by BizVibe adds new companies on the list from all over the world.
This fact sheet is to assist business professionals, investors, and everyday readers that are interested in gaining insights into the global department store industry including:
- Discover what the top 10 department stores in the world are in 2020?
- Global department store industry analysis — what’s the outlook and growth projections in the industry?
- Connect with the top department stores in the world on BizVibe.
BizVibe is already helping the world’s largest department store chains connect. Connect and track the latest news and insights from these companies.
Global Department Store Industry Overview
What are department stores? A department store is a retail establishment offering a variety of consumer goods in different product categories known as “departments”. Some of these departments include clothing, furniture, home appliances, toys, cosmetics, houseware, gardening, toiletries, sporting goods, do it yourself, paint, and hardware. Currently, the global department store industry is poised to reach USD 683.7 Billion by 2025. Some of the most popular names associated with department stores are Macy’s, Nordstrom, Sears, and more. This post will breakdown the top department stores in the world by notoriety and revenue in 2020.
Top Global Department Store Industry Statistics and Trends Driving Growth
- The department store industry in the USA is worth USD 100 billion in 2020.
- The global department store industry is projected to grow by USD 198. 5 Billion, growing at a CAGR of 5%.
- The USA is expected to maintain a 3.9% growth in the department store industry.
- Overall, the global department store industry is poised to reach USD 683.7 Billion by 2025.
- Macy’s is the world’s largest department store chain by revenue, surpassing USD 24.97 billion in 2019.
- Online department stores are on the rise as many physical stores besides flagships close down.
Ranking the Top 10 Department Stores in the World 2020
The top 10 department stores in the world have been dominating the market for decades and are transitioning to a new age of technology and online retail. The following companies built the global department store industry that provides us with all the convenient household products we enjoy today. This is BizVibe’s list of the top department stores in the world today.
1. Macy’s
Ranking number on the list of the top 10 department stores in the world in 2020 is Macy’s, an American department store chain founded in 1858 by Rowland Hussey Macy. Macy’s is the world’s largest department store chain in terms of revenue, with last year’s revenue surpassing USD 24.97 billion across its 613 locations worldwide. Macy’s was founded in 1858 in New York and is the top department store in sales. Macy’s flagship store Herald Square in Manhattan is one of the largest department stores in the world in terms of size.
Macy’s is influential among the list of department stores on this list due to stellar growth and consistent sales in the global department store industry. Macy’s is currently innovating by transforming 282 of its stores to pick and ship orders — integrating stores with technology for the better.
- Founded: 1858
- Macy’s Headquarters: New York, New York, USA
- Macy’s Total Revenue: USD 24.97 billion
- Macy’s Number of Locations: 613
Macy’s Product Line 2020
- Clothing
- Footwear
- Accessories
- Bedding
- Furniture
- Jewelry
- Beauty products
- Housewares
2. Kohl’s
Kohl’s ranks 2nd in our list of the top 10 department stores in the world in 2020, with last year’s revenues exceeding USD 20.22 billion. Kohl’s is an American department store retail chain, operated by Kohl’s Corporation, that has over 1,158 store locations worldwide making it one of the world’s largest department store chains by the number of stores in operation and revenue. Originally starting as a grocery store, Kohl’s branched out as one of the largest department store chains in the world shortly after in 1962. Currently, Kohl’s operates some of the largest brands including Dana Buchman, Vera Wang, and Narciso Rodriguez.
- Founded: 1962
- Kohl’s Headquarters: Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, USA
- Kohl’s Total Revenue: USD 20.22 billion
- Kohl’s Number of Locations: 1,158
- Kohl’s Number of Employees: 85,000
Kohl’s Product Line 2020
- Clothing
- Footwear
- Bedding
- Furniture
- Décor
- Jewelry
- Toys
- Appliances
- Beauty products
- Electronics
- Housewares
Kohl’s Brand Line 2020
- Top luxury department stores: Dana Buchman, Vera Wang, and Narciso Rodriguez.
- Top celebrity brands: Avril Lavigne, Lauren Conrad, Daisy Fuentes, Paula DeAnda, Jennifer Lopez, Marc Anthony, and Tony Hawk.
- Candie’s and Mudd Jeans
3. El Corte Inglés
Ranking 3rd on this list of the top department stores in the world is El Corte Inglés, the biggest department store group in Europe. El Corte Inglés is headquartered in Madrid, Spain, and serves Spain, United Kingdom, Andorra, France, and Portugal employing 90,004 at its stores. As of 2020, El Corte Inglés is Spain’s only remaining department store.
El Corte Inglés’ flagship store includes many designer boutiques including Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Cartier, Armani, Armani Jeans, Armani Collezioni, and Gucci.
- Founded: 1940
- El Corte Inglés Headquarters: Madrid, Spain
- El Corte Inglés Total Revenue: USD 17.01 billion
- El Corte Inglés Number of Employees: 90,004
El Corte Inglés Product Line 2020
- Clothing
- Footwear
- Accessories
- Bedding
- Furniture
- Jewelry
- Beauty products
- Housewares
El Corte Inglés Brand Line 2020
- Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Cartier, Armani, Armani Jeans, Armani Collezioni, Gucci, Loewe, Dockers, Ralph Lauren, Bulgari, Dior, Dior Homme, Georges Rech, Versace, Hugo Boss, Boss Woman, Ermenegildo Zegna, Tommy Hilfiger, Dolce&Gabbana, Burberry (men/women), Façonnable, Pal Zileri, Paul & Shark, Lacoste, Pavillon Christofle, CH by Carolina Herrera, Escada Sport, James Purdey and Sons, Lloyd’s, Purificación Garcia, Calvin Klein, Caroll Paris, Amitie, Episode, store brands (Emidio Tucci, Dustin).
4. Nordstrom
Nordstrom is a US-based luxury department store chain founded in 1901 by John W. Nordstrom and Carl F. Wallin. Originating initially as a shoe store, Nordstrom eventually became a full-line department store chain that sells clothing, footwear, handbags, jewelry, accessories, cosmetics, and fragrances. One of the most famous department stores in the world, Nordstrom operates 117 stores in 40 American states, three Canadian provinces since and one in Puerto Rico. Nordstrom brought in annual revenues of USD 15.86 billion last year, making it one of the top department stores in the world in terms of revenue. Nordstrom is also notable for being one of the top luxury department stores.
- Founded: 1901
- Nordstrom Headquarters: Seattle, Washington, USA
- Nordstrom Total Revenue: USD 15.86 billion
- Nordstrom Number of Locations: 101
- Nordstrom Number of Employees: 74,000
Nordstrom Product Line 2020
- Clothing
- Footwear
- Handbags
- Jewelry
- Accessories
- Cosmetics
- Fragrance
- Home furnishings
- Wedding
Nordstrom Brand Line 2020
- 34 Heritage
- 3LAB
- 42 Gold
- Avec Les Filles
- Aveda
- Aviator Nation
- AWARE BY VERO MODA
- Axel Arigato
- Hush Puppies®
- Huts and Bay
- HUXTER
- Hydro Flask
- Hyperice
5. Sears
Coming in 5th on this ranking of department stores is Sears, an American chain of department stores founded by Richard Warren Sears and Alvah Curtis Roebuck in 1893. This famous department store was formerly headquartered in the Sears Tower in Chicago but now holds its headquarters in Hoffman Estates, Illinois. Sears is notable for initially becoming famous for its mail-order catalog, a pioneer in the department store chain industry. Through most of the 80s, Sears was the largest retailer in the USA but has since been surpassed by a few companies. Sears currently operates 425 stores in the world and currently operates many different types of stores including Sears, Sears Grand, and Sears Travel.
- Founded: 1892
- Sears Headquarters: Hoffman Estates, Illinois, USA
- Sears Total Revenue: USD 13.8 billion
- Sears Number of Locations: 425
Sears Product Line 2020
- Clothing
- Footwear
- Bedding
- Furniture
- Jewelry
- Beauty products
- Appliances
- Housewares
- Tools
- Toys
Sears Subsidiaries
- Sears (Full-Line), Sears Grand, Sears Portrait Studio, Sears PartsDirect, Sears Travel, Sears Home & Life, A&E Factory Service, Sears Home Services, Sears Flowers, Sears Driving School, Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores.
6. Marks & Spencer
Marks & Spencer is a major British multinational retailer with headquarters in London, England, and ranks 6th in this list of the world’s largest department store chains in 2020. As of 2020. Marks & Spencer operates 959 stores across the U.K. including 615 that only sell food products. Back in 1998, Marks & Spencer became the first UK company to make a pre-tax profit of £1 billion. Last year, Marks & Spencer brought in annual revenues of USD 12.65 billion.
Outside of the UK, the company also operates in Ireland, Paris, Philippines, Netherlands, and many others. M&S operates many store formats including outlet stores, home stores, full-line stores, in-store food halls, online stores, and more.
- Founded: 1884
- Marks & Spencer Headquarters: London, England, UK
- Marks & Spencer Total Revenue: USD 12.65 billion
- Marks & Spencer Number of Locations: 1463
- Marks & Spencer Number of Employees: 80,000
Marks & Spencer Brand Line 2020
- Per Una
- Autograph
- Limited
- Rosie
- Blue Harbour
- M&S Collection
- M&S Energy
7. J. C. Penney
Ranking 7th on this list of the top department stores in the world is J. C. Penney, an American department store chain with 865 locations in 49 U.S. states and Puerto Rico. Last year J. C. Penney brought in annual revenues of USD 12.01 billion ranking 7th in revenue as well among the world’s largest department store chains. Since 1998, the company has also become an internet retailer and started opening some freestanding stores to meet consumer demands.
- Founded: 1902
- C. Penney Headquarters: Plano, Texas, USA
- C. Penney Total Revenue: USD 12.01 billion
- C. Penney Number of Locations: 853
- C. Penney Number of Employees: 95,000
J. C. Penney Product Line 2020
- Clothing
- Cosmetics
- Electronics
- Footwear
- Furniture
- Housewares
- Jewelry
- Toys
- Appliances
8. Isetan Mitsukoshi
The Isetan Mitsukoshi Group is Japan’s largest department store group, operating a total of 26 stores nationwide. The company operates 4 distinct brands: Mitsukoshi, Isetan, Iwataya, and Marui-Imai and operates all over Japan, with flagship department store chains in Tokyo, Sapporo, Kyoto, Nagoya, Fukuoka, and other major cities nationwide. At Isetan, you can buy food, clothing, housewares, and much more. Isetan Mitsukoshi brought in annual revenues of USD 11.99 billion last year — making it one of the top department stores in the world in terms of revenue.
- Founded: 2008
- Isetan Mitsukoshi Headquarters: Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
- Isetan Mitsukoshi Total Revenue: USD 11.99 billion
- Isetan Mitsukoshi Number of Employees: 18,799
9. Hudson’s Bay Company
Ranking 9th on this list of department stores is the Canadian retail business group, The Hudson’s Bay Company. The company’s main retail and department store is based on its namesake, The Bay. Last year, the company brought in annual revenues of USD 6.68 billion — making it one of the world’s largest department store chains.
- Founded: 1670
- HBC Headquarters: Brampton, Ontario, Canada
- HBC Total Revenue: USD 6.68 billion
10. Dillard’s
Rounding out BizVibe’s list of the top 10 department stores in the world in 2020 is Dillard’s, an American luxury department store chain with approximately 285 stores in 29 states and headquartered in Little Rock, Arkansas. Dillard’s operates 285 stores worldwide and employs over 39,000 people worldwide. Last year the Dillard’s brought in revenues of USD 6.50 billion — making it one of the top department stores in the world in terms of revenue in 2020.
- Founded: 1938
- Dillard’s Headquarters: Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
- Dillard’s Total Revenue: USD 6.50 billion
- Dillard’s Number of Locations: 285
- Dillard’s Number of Employees: 39,000
Dillard’s Product Line 2020
- Clothing
- Footwear
- Bedding
- Furniture
- Jewelry
- Beauty products
- Housewares
This is BizVibe’s list of the top 10 department stores in the world in brands in 2020 ranked by revenue and its placement in the global department store industry. The top department store companies have paved the way for the next generation of how everyday goods are sold. We might be veering out of just physical stores but trends such as freestanding pop-ups and the power on online retail are expected to keep the industry moving forward.
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Top Department Stores in the World by Revenue (2020)
Rank |
Department Store |
Revenue (USD billions) |
Headquarters |
| 1 | Macy’s | USD 24.97 billion | USA |
| 2 | Kohl’s | USD 20.22 billion | USA |
| 3 | El Corte Inglés | USD 17.01 billion | Spain |
| 4 | Nordstrom | USD 15.86 billion | USA |
| 5 | Sears | USD 13.8 billion | USA |
| 6 | Marks & Spencer | USD 12.65 billion | UK |
| 7 | J. C. Penney | USD 12.01 billion | USA |
| 8 | Isetan Mitsukoshi | USD 11.99 billion | Japan |
| 9 | Hudson’s Bay Company | USD 6.68 billion | Canada |
| 10 | Dillard’s | USD 6.50 billion | USA |
- Macy’s is the world’s largest department store chain, followed by Kohl’s and El Corte Inglés rounding out the top 3.
- 6 of the top 10 department stores in the world are US-based.
The Future of the Top Department Stores in the World
Looking past 2020, the future of the global department store industry is poised to grow in the billions by 2025. This growth is led by the top 10 department stores in the world as they transition to a new age of selling everyday products. As disposable income increases and the top department stores create a presence online, expect further growth in the industry.
