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The list is out for Australia’s biggest earners of 2014. So which companies made it into the top 10?

THE list is out for Australia’s biggest retail earners of 2014. Can you guess which company topped the list?

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RETAILER Woolworths has jumped over Wesfarmers — which owns rival supermarket Coles — to become Australia’s second biggest revenue earner in 2014.

Woolworths jumped from fourth spot in the prior year, with total 2014 revenue of $61.2 billion, according to market research provider IBISWorld.

Wesfarmers dropped to third spot, with $60.5 billion in revenue.

But the retail giants lag behind global miner BHP Billiton which is still Australia’s biggest revenue-generating company.

Winner ... BHP Billiton lead Australia’s Top 10 companies by revenue in 2014, amassing $72.97bn. Picture: AFP
Winner ... BHP Billiton lead Australia’s Top 10 companies by revenue in 2014, amassing $72.97bn. Picture: AFP

BHP Billiton generated $72.97 billion in revenue in 2014.

IBISWorld said movement among the top 10 revenue generators was limited, with AustralianSuper the only dropout, falling from 10th in 2013 to 15th in 2014.

Average revenue growth across the top 1000 was 7.5 per cent — down from 14.6 per cent growth in the prior year.

Law firms performed well as a result of companies restructuring and an increase in commercial activity. Those on the top 1000 list generated growth in revenue of 18 per cent overall.

Engineering consulting continued its strong run in 2014 despite a slight fall in average revenue growth.

Close second ... Woolworths was the runner up with $61.21bn. Picture: News Corp Australia
Close second ... Woolworths was the runner up with $61.21bn. Picture: News Corp Australia

Continued major infrastructure projects, and alliances and consolidation within the industry offset a decline in mining investment.

Telecommunications companies had mixed results as competition for market share and the migration from wired to wireless telecommunications.

Telstra lifted its revenue by 5.8 per cent, driven by investment in its mobile network.

The fast food sector suffered from weak growth as consumers shifted to healthier food and consumer sentiment was volatile. Nonetheless, Domino’s Pizzas jumped 380 places on the list after its revenue grew by 98.5 per cent. Domino’s opened new stores and invested in online platforms and applications, which appealed to younger consumers.

AUSTRALIA’S TOP TEN COMPANIES BY REVENUE 2014

1. BHP Billiton: $72.97 billion

2. Woolworths: $61.21 billion

3. Wesfarmers: $60.52 billion

4. Rio Tinto: $59.14 billion

5. NAB: $45.34 billion

6. Commonwealth Bank: $44.31 billion

7. Westpac: $38.64bn

8. ANZ: $35.25bn

9. Telstra: $26.45bn

10. Caltex Australia: $24.73 billion

Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/finance/business/manufacturing/the-list-is-out-for-australias-biggest-earners-of-2014-so-which-companies-made-it-into-the-top-10/news-story/451d5fb645edac8acffa4ca4dbb33146