Discount retailer Wal-Mart has become the world’s biggest company on the back of its fourth-quarter results.
The group reported a 13.5% rise in Q4 sales to $64.21 billion, producing a full-year total of $217.8bn. This moves Wal-Mart ahead of oil giant Exxon-Mobil – whose 2001 revenues stood at $213bn – to the number one spot.
Earnings rose 6% in the quarter to $6.671bn, while market share increased following bankruptcy at rival Kmart [WAMN: 23-Jan-02].
Data sourced from: Financial Times; additional content by WARC staff
