🌎 Who Feeds and Heals the World? Global Leaders in Grocery & Pharmacy, 2025
The rhythm of daily life, anywhere on Earth, is set by the places we buy food and medicine. From corner stores in Africa to hypermarkets in Asia, from the familiar neon signs in America to bustling bazaars in Latin America, every country has its retail giants—the brands that feed and heal the nation.
In 2025, the world’s grocery and pharmacy markets are a fascinating blend of local pride and global power. This global data visualization shows, for each country, which supermarket and pharmacy chain stands on top.
Grocery: Mapping the World’s Food Retail Leaders
Scan the globe and you’ll spot some familiar giants:
- North America: Walmart reigns across the US, while Canada prefers Loblaw, and Mexico sees OXXO’s rapid rise.
- Latin America: Carrefour, Grupo Éxito, and Cencosud shape huge swathes of the continent, blending European formats with local flavors.
- Europe: Lidl and Carrefour battle from Portugal to Poland; Tesco, S Group, and Biedronka hold strong locally; Migros is still Switzerland’s champion.
- Africa: Shoprite’s yellow and blue mark dominates much of Southern Africa, with Pick n Pay and Nakumatt leaving their own legacy.
- Asia: AEON leads in Japan and Southeast Asia, Lianhua in China, Reliance in India, while Middle Eastern retail is split between Lulu, Spinneys, and local names.
- Oceania: Woolworths and Coles divide Australia, New Zealand stays loyal to Foodstuffs.
Pharmacy: Who Controls the World’s Drugstores?
Healthcare retail is transforming even faster. In some countries, it’s still the neighborhood chemist; in others, vast chains and online platforms now set the pace:
- USA & Canada: Walgreens and CVS write the pharmacy rulebook for North America.
- Europe: Boots (UK), DocMorris (Germany), BENU, Dr.Max, and others grow across borders, as health becomes big business.
- Latin America & Asia: Farmacias Guadalajara, Watsons, and Guardian bring modern pharma retail to new markets.
- Africa: Clicks and Dis-Chem (South Africa) anchor a growing sector, while North Africa blends local and international.
- Middle East: Big regional chains compete with traditional apothecaries, especially in the Gulf.
Why This Global Retail Map Matters
More than logos and market share, these maps reveal how everyday life is shaped by retail giants. From daily bread to essential medicines, who leads each country’s market influences local jobs, supply chains, consumer choice—and even national identity.
Whether you’re a business analyst, a policymaker, or just globally curious, this world map offers a unique lens on our interconnected future. Explore the world. Map its daily routines. See how global and local collide in every shopping cart and prescription.
👉 Explore more at app.mapthos.org
See the world. Map better. Dream big. 🌍✨