Christian Dior, Nike, Inditex are largest apparel cos

As many as 29 apparel companies feature on the Forbes Global 2000 list 2016 of the world’s largest and most powerful public companies. Leading the brigade are some of the most preeminent apparel and fashion brands Christian Dior, Nike and Zara-owner Inditex.

Other big names from the textile world in the prestigious list include Coach, Burberry and Hermes. The list is based on a composite score from equally weighted measures of revenues, profits, assets and market value.

Christian Dior came in at Number 216 on the 2016 Global 2000 list, down 36 spots from last year. Yet, it took the top spot in the apparel group due to its $41.6 billion in sales, $1.7 billion in profit and $68 billion in assets (through the twelve months ending April 22). Through its more-than 40 per cent stake in luxury goods conglomerate LVMH, Christian Dior’s bottom line benefits from the financial performance of respected products like Dom Pérignon, Veuve Clicquot, Givenchy and De Beers.

Nike came in at Number 261 on the overall Global 2000, up 28 spots from last year. The sportswear giant recorded more than $32 billion in sales in the twelve months ending on April 22; profit over the same period was $3.8 billion.

With a host of celebrity endorsers such as Serena Williams, LeBron James and even FC Barcelona, Nike CEO Mark Parker wrote in the company’s 2015 annual report, “Like athletes all over the globe, Nike’s future holds nothing but limitless potential.”

Inditex rose seven spots to Number 310 out of 2000. The company, which recorded $23 billion in revenue in the twelve months ending on April 22, is best known for Zara, the chic-yet-affordable clothing and accessories retailer.

The 2016 list features public companies from 63 countries that together account for $35 trillion in revenue, $2.4 trillion in profit, $162 trillion of assets, and have a combined market value of $44 trillion.