Schwarz Group (Lidl & Kaufland)

Germany's Schwarz Group is the world's largest retailer by number of countries, operating Lidl (12,000+ stores in 31 countries) and Kaufland (1,600+ stores in 8 countries) with combined revenue of $144 billion in 2023. Privately held and headquartered in Neckarsulm, Germany, Lidl's private-label model and relentless store-count expansion have disrupted grocery retail across Europe and the Americas. Its revenue surpasses Tesco's by 95%, and its store count exceeds Carrefour's by 20% in terms of international locations.