Amazon Surpasses Walmart in Revenue After Nearly a Decade
Amazon has officially overtaken Walmart in revenue after nearly a decade. With fourth-quarter sales reaching $187.8 billion, Amazon continues to dominate retail, cloud computing, and AI.
Amazon has officially surpassed Walmart in revenue, marking a major shift in the retail industry. While Amazon overtook Walmart in market capitalization in 2015, it has taken nearly ten years for its revenue to reach the same level. This achievement solidifies Amazon’s dominance, not just in online shopping but across multiple industries, including cloud computing, streaming, and artificial intelligence.
Amazon’s Revenue Growth vs. Walmart’s Performance
In the second quarter of 2015, Amazon reported revenue of $23.2 billion—just a fraction of Walmart’s earnings at the time. Fast forward to today, Amazon has posted fourth-quarter sales of $187.8 billion, a 10% year-over-year increase. Meanwhile, Walmart’s revenue for the same period, set to be announced on February 20, is expected to grow 4% to approximately $180 billion.
Amazon first surpassed Walmart in profitability in 2017 and has continued to outpace it. The company’s financial success comes from diversifying beyond retail, with massive growth in cloud computing, digital advertising, and AI-driven services. While Amazon Web Services (AWS) saw a 19% revenue increase last quarter, traditional online shopping remains Amazon’s core business. Online sales alone, excluding Whole Foods and third-party marketplace services, grew 7% to $75.6 billion.
Advertisement
Amazon vs. Walmart: Stock Market Performance
For investors, Amazon’s dominance has translated into significant stock gains. Since Amazon first surpassed Walmart’s market value in 2015, its stock price has surged by 802%, compared to Walmart’s 331% growth. This stark difference underscores how investors have valued Amazon’s long-term potential and ability to scale across multiple industries.
Future of Retail
Amazon’s success is a testament to its ability to innovate and redefine e-commerce. While Walmart remains a powerhouse in traditional retail, Amazon’s investments in technology, AI, and cloud computing have propelled it far beyond its original role as an online marketplace. This milestone signals a shift in how modern consumers shop and how businesses compete in a digital-first economy.
As both companies continue to evolve, the competition between Amazon and Walmart is far from over. However, this latest achievement cements Amazon’s position as the leader in revenue and innovation across multiple sectors.
Also Read: Stock Futures Stuck as Wall Street Waits on Jobs Report & Fed
