A new report from Deloitte ranks the world’s 250 biggest retail groups, with five South African retailers making the grade.

According to the report, South African retailers have been largely hit by a slowdown in China’s economy, as well as slower growth evident in many emerging markets.

The MEA region had eight retailers represented (including the five from South Africa), which generated composite growth of 19.4%, 4.5 times greater than the Top 250 as a whole.

Acquisitions boosted revenue for two South African retailers.

In August 2014, Woolworths acquired Australian department store chain David Jones, and in March 2015, Steinhoff International bought South African value-oriented clothing and footwear retailer Pepkor.

“Retailers based in Africa and the Middle East have expanded well outside their home countries – although mainly within the region, with the exception of Steinhoff – operating in an average 12.4 countries,” the group said.

“Nearly one-third of their retail revenue came from foreign operations in 2014.”

Biggest retailers in South Africa

Five South African retailers made the cut into the global 250, but only one came close to being in the top 100.

Steinhoff International Holdings was ranked 101st on the list, with 10.2 billion in retail revenue. The group operates in 29 countries, and owns Pepkor and JD Group – two big retailers in south Africa.

Shoprite Holdings is the second biggest retail brand in the country, ranked 105th with $9.9 billion in retail revenue, operating in 15 countries; followed by Pick n Pay, ranked 161st with 6.1 billion in revenue from 7 countries.

The other two South African retailers are Spar Group (180th) with 5.2 billion in revenue, operating in 10 countries; and Woolworths Holdings (187th) with 4.95 billion in revenue, operating in 14 countries.

In the study’s top 50 fastest grower list, Steinhoff is also ranked as the 5th fastest growing global retailer, with a 41.6% compound annual growth rate between 2009 and 2014.

The world’s biggest retailers

South Africa’s biggest retailers

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