albert Chan
What’s the Story?
In this time of unprecedented change, we have re-evaluated the Coresight 100, our focus list of 100 of the largest and most influential companies in the global retail ecosystem. Our list comprises stalwart industry leaders, emerging innovators and disruptors, and includes both public and private companies.
Why It Matters
The evolution of retail has picked up speed in the past decade, driven by the rise of e-commerce and technology-fueled competitive advantages. In 2020, the Covid-19 outbreak has accelerated the pace of inevitable retail adaptation. Three years of change have been conflated into six months, during which time retailers globally have been digitalizing and modernizing their supply chains; adopting contactless ordering, delivery and payment; and embracing social media and livestreaming as new ways of reaching consumers.
We believe that our revised Coresight 100 comprises the companies to watch in this tumultuous year for retail. As we approach the holiday season, we expect them to continue to define and lead their respective segments.
The Coresight 100 provides a focus to our research on companies. Our published research on the Coresight 100 includes company profiles, analysis of earnings reports and coverage of major events or developments. This includes report series such as Earnings Insights, Earnings Season Wrap-Up and Inventory Tracker. In addition, Coresight 100 companies are included and discussed in our thematic and sectoral research reports.
How We Created Our List
We started with a database of more than 600 global retailers, brands, marketplaces, retail real estate management firms and new, innovative service providers—all of which have operations primarily in Asia, Europe and the US. We evaluated candidates on scale and impact: We factored in sales, public (stock market) and private valuations, while making room for innovative or disruptive companies—often smaller—that we believe are changing the retail landscape. The Coresight 100 companies are valued in the $800 million–$1.6 trillion range, with sales from $100 million to $550 billion.
The Coresight 100: In Detail
Distillation of Coverage into Eight Sectors
To ensure full coverage of broad industries such as retailers, brands, marketplaces and REITs, we distilled our coverage into eight sectors:
- Food, drug and mass retailers—including supermarket retailers, drugstore and health retailers, mass merchandisers and warehouse clubs
- Apparel brands and retailers
- E-commerce platforms—incorporating specialized, digitally focused companies
- Luxury brands and retailers
- Beauty brands and retailers
- Department stores—including luxury and off-price
- Home and home-improvement retailers—including electronics retailers, furniture retailers and DIY stores
- Retail REITs—those with major shopping-center interests
Source: Coresight Research[/caption]
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Source: Coresight Research[/caption]
Inclusion of Innovators
One of the major changes to the Coresight 100 is the inclusion of innovators. Adding these companies ensures that we capture the most creative, cutting-edge approaches to reinventing retail. We have found that innovators in retail span global retail powerhouses to the up-and-comers and emerging leaders.
These innovators include the following:
- Alibaba Group
- Farfetch
- Flipkart
- Instacart
- Ocado
- Rent the Runway
- Stitch Fix
- The RealReal
- Vipshop Holdings
Inclusion of Private Companies
The Coresight 100 list is not limited to public companies: We also cover large, influential private companies, such as European discount grocers, a renowned luxury product company, and an e-commerce company that recently filed to go public.
The private companies in the Coresight 100 include the following:
- Aldi Einkauf GmbH
- Chanel
- Fanatics
- Flipkart Private
- Hudson's Bay Company
- Instacart
- John Lewis
- Rent the Runway
- Schwarz GmbH—the owner of Lidl and Kaufland
- Wish.com
Geographic Coverage
On a geographic basis, the Coresight 100 follows the diverse geographic footprint of Coresight Research; we have offices in China, Europe, India and the US.
One of our highlights is our coverage of the Indian retail market, and the new Coresight 100 includes three major retailers spanning Indian e-commerce, fashion and grocery. Our longstanding relationships in China enhance our coverage of Chinese marketplaces and e-commerce companies as well as providing insights into retail globally.
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Source: Coresight Research[/caption]
Full List of Covered Companies
Figure 4. Full Coresight 100 List
[wpdatatable id=517]Source: Company reports
What We Think
After years of evolution, driven by shifts in consumer shopping habits and preferences and the proliferation of e-commerce, 2020 has seen an accelerated rate of change. The new Coresight 100 reflects the altered landscape and comprises 100 of the largest and most influential companies in the dynamic retail industry. Follow our research to keep up to date on these essential companies.