World's top 10 retail giants

Although global retail giants such as Walmart and Carrefour have set up joint ventures with Indian companies and operate in the wholesale segment, they want more participation in the Indian retail sector.

The current policy allows 51 per cent foreign direct investment in only single-brand retail, subject to conditions.

With the Indian Government mulling over whether to allow foreign direct investment in multi-brand retail sector, here is a look at world's top 10 retail giants.

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10. Aldi

Headquarters: Germany

2008 revenue: $58 billion

Number of outlets: 8,210

Number of countries it operates in: 18

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9: Target

Headquarters: United States

2009 revenue: $65.357 billion

Number of outlets: 1,743

Number of countries it operates in: 2

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8. Costco

Headquarters: United States

2009 revenue: $71.4 billion

Number of outlets: 573

Number of countries it operates in: 8

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7. Home Depot

Headquarters: United States

2009 revenue: $71.5 billion

Number of outlets: 2,242

Number of countries it operates in: 4

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6. Kroger

Headquarters: United States

2009 Revenue: $76.7 billion

Number of Outlets: 3,624

Number of countries it operates in: 1

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5. Lidl

Headquarters: Germany

2008 revenue: $82.8 billion

Number of outlets: 7,200

Number of countries it operates in: 20

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4. Metro

Headquarters: Germany

2009 revenue: $92.02 billion

Number of outlets: 2,100

Number of countries it operates in: 33

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3. Tesco

Headquarters: United Kingdom

2010 revenue: $99.7 billion

Number of outlets: 502

Number of countries it operates in: 15

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2. Carrefour

Headquarters: France

2010 revenue: $126.5 billion

Number of outlets: 15,500

Number of countries it operates in: 34

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1. Walmart

Headquarters: United States

2009 revenue: $408.21 billion

Number of outlets: 8,900

Number of countries it operates in: 15