Assessing sustainability performance in leading retail giants : a comparative analysis

Abstract

In the current competitive industry, companies all over the world are obliged to improve their sustainability practices and optimize their operational frameworks, while considering environmental and social development. This research studies the sustainability performance of the biggest five retailers in the world: Amazon, Walmart, Home Depot, Costco, and Alibaba. Environmental, social, and economic metrics were extracted from Refinitiv Eikon, and data analysis was undertaken. Applying the Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) methodology, the sustainability performance of the retailers was assessed. The results showed a perfect score of 1 for Amazon, Home Depot, and Alibaba. However, evaluating each company, the assessment revealed areas warranting improvement for all sectors for Walmart, environmental and economic sectors for Amazon, social sectors for Home Depot and Costco, and environmental aspects for Alibaba. Through a comprehensive evaluation of annual scores, this study highlights the strengths and weaknesses of each retailer, offering significant insights for stakeholders and decision-makers in the retail industry.