Assessing Sustainability Performance in Leading Retail Giants: A Comparative Analysis

This research analyzes the sustainability performance of the world's five largest retailers: Amazon, Walmart, Home Depot, Costco, and Alibaba, focusing on environmental, social, and economic metrics sourced from Refinitiv Eikon. Using the TOPSIS methodology, the study assessed their sustainability performance, revealing perfect scores of 1 for Amazon, Home Depot, and Alibaba. However, individual evaluations highlighted areas needing improvement: Walmart required enhancements across all sectors, Amazon needed better environmental and economic practices, Home Depot and Costco faced social sector challenges, and Alibaba needed to address environmental issues. The study utilized a rigorous methodology, refining ESG indicators from 136 to 49, normalizing data, and applying equal weighting for objectivity. It provides a comprehensive evaluation of each retailer's strengths and weaknesses, offering valuable insights and actionable recommendations for enhancing sustainability practices in the retail industry.