Amazon Dethrones Walmart as World’s Biggest Company by Sales

For decades, one name defined global retail dominance. Now, that crown has changed hands.

Amazon dethrones Walmart as world’s biggest company by sales, marking a historic shift in how the global economy functions. According to Bloomberg’s February 2026 report, Amazon surpassed Walmart in annual revenue, ending Walmart’s long-standing reign at the top of the sales rankings.

This is more than a corporate milestone. It signals how e-commerce, cloud computing, and digital infrastructure have reshaped global commerce.

A Historic Retail Power Shift

Amazon has steadily expanded beyond online retail into logistics, advertising, streaming, and cloud computing. Meanwhile, Walmart built its empire on physical stores and global supply chain efficiency.

Walmart led the Fortune Global 500 revenue rankings for over a decade, powered by its vast brick-and-mortar footprint. But Amazon’s diversified revenue streams, particularly Amazon Web Services, accelerated its growth trajectory.

Bloomberg reports that Amazon’s annual revenue has now exceeded Walmart’s, officially making it the world’s largest company by sales in 2026.

This shift reflects a broader transformation in consumer behavior. Digital-first shopping is no longer an alternative. It is the default.

Why Amazon’s Revenue Model Won

When we say Amazon dethrones Walmart as world’s biggest company by sales, the key driver is diversification.

Amazon’s growth rests on three pillars:

1. E-commerce dominance across North America and international markets
2. Amazon Web Services, a global cloud leader powering enterprises, startups, and governments
3. High-margin advertising and subscription services like Prime

Walmart generates enormous retail revenue, but it operates on thinner margins. Amazon’s cloud and advertising businesses deliver stronger profitability, which fuels reinvestment into logistics, AI, and automation.

The result is a flywheel effect. More infrastructure leads to faster delivery, which drives customer loyalty, which increases revenue.

What This Means for Global Retail

The fact that Amazon dethrones Walmart as world’s biggest company by sales reflects a deeper economic shift toward platform-based ecosystems.

Retail is no longer just about selling goods. It is about:

• Owning data
• Controlling logistics networks
• Providing digital infrastructure
• Monetizing cloud computing and ads

Amazon now operates as both a retailer and a backbone of the internet economy.

For traditional retailers, the message is clear. Digital transformation is no longer optional.

The Risks and Ethical Questions

However, dominance brings scrutiny.

Amazon faces regulatory pressure in the United States and Europe over competition, labor practices, and marketplace fairness. Lawmakers continue debating whether such concentration of market power harms smaller businesses.

There are also concerns around warehouse working conditions and AI-driven automation reducing certain jobs. Growth at this scale always raises questions about sustainability and fairness.

Walmart, meanwhile, continues investing heavily in e-commerce and automation. The race is far from over.

Conclusion: A Digital Era Milestone

When Amazon dethrones Walmart as world’s biggest company by sales, it marks the end of one retail era and the beginning of another.

The shift confirms that digital ecosystems outperform traditional retail models at scale. Companies that combine infrastructure, software, and logistics are defining the next phase of global commerce.

For investors, entrepreneurs, and policymakers, the lesson is straightforward. The future of retail is integrated, data-driven, and platform-led.

Fast Facts: Amazon Dethrones Walmart Explained

What does it mean that Amazon dethrones Walmart as world’s biggest company by sales?

It means Amazon generated more annual revenue than Walmart in 2026, officially becoming the top company by total sales worldwide.

Why did Amazon dethrone Walmart as world’s biggest company by sales?

Amazon dethrones Walmart as world’s biggest company by sales largely due to cloud computing, advertising revenue, and its global e-commerce expansion.

Is there a downside to Amazon dethroning Walmart as world’s biggest company by sales?

Yes. When Amazon dethrones Walmart as world’s biggest company by sales, it intensifies concerns about market dominance, regulatory scrutiny, and labor practices.