Forbes list crowns Christian Dior, Nike among the world's largest apparel companies

Christian Dior, Nike, and Inditex have topped Forbes' 2017 Global 2000 list as the largest apparel companies. Forbes’ annual and comprehensive list of the world’s largest and most valuable public companies is based on a composite score of revenues, profits, assets, and market value of the companies. This year, 28 retail names made to the top of the list.

The list includes luxury brands like Hermes, Prada, and Burberry, alongside legacy players like Coach, Macy’s and Nordstrom, according to Forbes.

Christian Dior came in as the apparel king, rising 27 spots to be number 189 on the overall list and the biggest in the apparel industry with $43.6 billion in sales, $1.95 billion in profit and $68.3 billion in assets. Christian Dior also continues to bring in revenue courtesy of affiliated upscale, luxury brands through LVMH, including Dom Pérignon, Veuve Clicquot, Givenchy and De Beers. In April LVMH bought a remaining 25.9 per cent stake in Dior.

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Nike occupied number 2 spot, ranking 249th on the Global 2000, up 12 notches from the year prior. Sales of $33.8 billion and profit of $4 billion are powering the rise of the athletic apparel manufacturer as did its assets of $23 billion. Famous faces affiliated with the brand include legacy basketballer Michael Jordan and tennis pros Serena Williams and Roger Federer, all who retain endorsements from the company, as does LeBron James, who signed a lifetime deal with the company at the end of 2015.

Finally, rounding out the top three is Industria de Diseno Textil (Inditex), which also rose in rank in 2017. The parent company to Zara came in 276th, up 34 spaces from 310th in 2016. Inditex reported sales of $25.7 billion and profit of $3 billion, and the company’s assets of $21 billion in 2017. Its founder Amancio Ortega is the fourth richest man in the world and sees his wealth fluctuate with Inditex's performance.