Metro AG

In 1966, Otto Beisheim met Friedrich Wilhelm Lenz, chairman of the management board of Franz Haniel & Cie. and convinced him to invest in Metro.{{Cite web|date=2018-09-02|title=Die lukrative Wette auf ein Comeback der Metro|url=https://www.welt.de/wirtschaft/article181393490/Die-grosse-Wette-auf-ein-Metro-Comeback.html|access-date=2021-04-15|website=Die Welt|language=de}} In the course of the following reorganization Beisheim became a shareholder himself. From this point on, the founding family Schmidt-Ruthenbeck and the shareholders Beisheim and Haniel each held about one third of the shares.{{Cite web|date=18 February 2013|title=Otto Beisheim - der Metro-Gründer|url=https://rp-online.de/wirtschaft/unternehmen/otto-beisheim-der-metro-gruender_bid-9501335#2|access-date=2021-04-15|website=Rheinische Post|language=de}}

Under the sole leadership of Otto Beisheim, a rapid expansion of the Metro stores into the greater German and European area began in 1967 with the opening of the Metro stores in Godorf near Cologne, Hamburg, Munich and, after a connection with the Dutch company SHV Holdings, the first C&C wholesale store (brand: Makro) in the Netherlands, and in 1968 in Düsseldorf.{{Cite web|date=2014-10-06|title=Metro: Ein Konzern wird 50 Jahre alt|url=https://www.wz.de/nrw/duesseldorf/metro-ein-konzern-wird-50-jahre-alt_aid-29409563|access-date=2021-04-15|website=Westdeutsche Zeitung|language=de}}

In 2005, Metro split off the Praktiker home improvement division, which went public as an independent company.{{Cite web |url= https://archiv.metrogroup.de/en/legal-announcements/2005/10/27/metro-ag-prepares-for-praktikers-ipo |title= METRO AG prepares for Praktiker's IPO |publisher= Metro AG |date= 27 October 2005 |access-date= 23 April 2020 |archive-date= 3 August 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200803203901/https://archiv.metrogroup.de/en/legal-announcements/2005/10/27/metro-ag-prepares-for-praktikers-ipo |url-status= dead }}

In July 2006 Metro bought the 85 German stores of Wal-Mart, which gave up its loss-making Germany business. The Wal-Mart stores were largely integrated into the Real sales brand.{{Cite web |url=https://www.faz.net/d/invest/meldung.aspx?id=30162175 |title=Metro übernimmt deutsche Filialen von Wal-Mart |publisher=faz.net |date=28 July 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070312093236/https://www.faz.net/d/invest/meldung.aspx?id=30162175 |archive-date=12 March 2007}}

In July 2008, the Extra supermarket chain with around 250 locations and sales of around 1.6 billion euro, was sold to the Rewe Group. Metro sold the Adler fashion stores to the associated company BluO in February 2009.{{Cite web |url=https://www.manager-magazin.de/unternehmen/artikel/a-607440.html |title=Metro verkauft Adler-Märkte |publisher=manager-magazin.de |date=13 February 2009}}

In October 2012, Makro-Habib in Pakistan became Metro-Habib.{{Cite web|date=2011-10-24|title=Administrative control: Metro Cash and Carry to take over Makro in January|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/281200/administrative-control-metro-cash-and-carry-to-take-over-makro-in-january|access-date=2021-01-22|website=The Express Tribune}}

In November 2012, Metro sold its 91 Real hypermarkets in Poland, Romania, Russia and Ukraine to Auchan for 1.1 billion euro.{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-metro-hypermarkets-sale-idUSBRE8AT0LD20121130|work=Reuters|title=Metro sells some hypermarket operations to Auchan|date=November 2012}} In 2014 Metro sold the 12 Real hypermarkets in Turkey.{{cite web |url= http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/metro-sells-real-stores-in-turkey-68478 |publisher= Hurriyet Daily News |title= Metro Sells Real stores in Turkey |date= 30 June 2014}} In 2017 Metro sold the last remaining four Real hypermarkets in Romania.{{Cite web|url=https://www.zf.ro/zf-24/inca-o-tranzactie-in-retail-grupul-german-metro-a-vandut-cele-patru-hipermarketuri-real-pe-care-le-mai-detinea-in-romania-16102078|date=2017-01-22|publisher=Ziarul Financiar|title=Încă o tranzacție în retail: Grupul german Metro a vândut cele patru hipermarketuri Real pe care le mai deținea în România}}

On 15 June 2015, Metro AG agreed to sell Galeria Kaufhof to Canadian retail conglomerate Hudson's Bay Company for $3.2 billion.{{cite web |url= http://investor.hbc.com/releasedetail.cfm?releaseid=917797 |title= Canada's Hudson's Bay Company and Metro Group Reach Agreement over Sale of Galeria Kaufhof |work= hbc.com |access-date= 31 July 2015 |archive-date= 9 November 2018 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20181109234952/http://investor.hbc.com/releasedetail.cfm?releaseid=917797 |url-status= dead }}

On 30 March 2016, Metro Group announced that it would be splitting into two independent companies:{{cite web |url= https://www.metrogroup.de/en/media/press-releases/2016/03/30/metro-group-prepares-demerger-into-two-independent-strong-wholesale-and-retail-groups |title= Metro Group prepares demerger into two independent, strong wholesale and retail groups |work= metrogroup.de/en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190421061058/https://archiv.metrogroup.de/en/press-releases/2016/03/30/metro-group-prepares-demerger-into-two-independent-strong-wholesale-and-retail-groups |archive-date=21 April 2019}} A spin-off of the wholesale and food sector of Metro AG will be responsible for the group divisions into two independent and publicly listed companies. Both will have their own management, supervisory board and independent company profiles. Metro AG was renamed Ceconomy, comprising Media Markt and Saturn electronics stores, while a new company with the name Metro AG was formed, comprising Metro Cash & Carry and Real.

In September 2018, Metro announced that it wanted to sell the Real hypermarket subsidiary in Germany to focus entirely on wholesale business.{{Cite web |url= https://www.metroag.de/en/newsroom/news/2018/09/13/metro-starts-sales-process-for-real-and-focuses-on-wholesale-business |title= Metro starts sales process for Real and focusses on wholesale business |publisher= Metro AG |date= 2018-08-13}} In February 2020, Real was sold to The SCP Group.{{Cite web |url= https://www.chip.de/news/Real-geht-an-deutsch-russisches-Konsortium-In-einer-Filiale-erleben-wir-eine-Ueberraschung_181713176.html |title= Real geht an deutsch-russisches Konsortium: In einer Filiale erleben wir eine Überraschung |publisher= chip.de |date= 18 February 2020}} The deal was completed in June 2020.{{Cite web|url=https://www.delimarketnews.com/buyside-news/metro-completes-sale-real-moves-toward-becoming-purely-wholesale-company-Olaf-Koch/kayla-webb/tue-06302020-0851/9967|title = METRO AG Completes Sale of Real, Moves Toward Becoming a Purely Wholesale Company|date = 30 June 2020}} With the acquisition of Johbeco AB and its subsidiary Johan i Hallen & Bergfalk, a Swedish specialist supplier of meat, fish and seafood, for around 100 million euros in May 2023, Metro entered the Swedish and Finnish market.{{Cite web|date=2023-05-04|title= Metro AG Acquires Sweden's Johan i Hallen & Bergfalk |url= https://www.esmmagazine.com/supply-chain/metro-ag-acquires-swedens-johan-i-hallen-bergfalk-239401|access-date=2023-05-12|website=European Supermarket Magazine}}

Following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine which began on 24 February, many international, particularly Western companies pulled out of Russia. Unlike most of its Western competitors, Metro AG announced its intention to keep its business in Russia open, drawing criticism.{{Cite web |title=Metro to Keep Stores Open in Russia |url=https://www.marketwatch.com/story/metro-to-keep-stores-open-in-russia-271646669062 |access-date=2022-03-13 |website=MarketWatch}}{{Cite web |title=Wholesaler Metro Still Doing Business In Russia, Ukraine |url=https://www.esmmagazine.com/retail/wholesaler-metro-still-doing-business-in-russia-ukraine-165688 |access-date=2022-03-13 |website=ESM Magazine |archive-date=2 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220302144735/https://www.esmmagazine.com/retail/wholesaler-metro-still-doing-business-in-russia-ukraine-165688 |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web |last=MarketScreener |title=Metro : Statement on war in Ukraine {{!}} MarketScreener |url=https://www.marketscreener.com/quote/stock/METRO-AG-36818765/news/Metro-Statement-on-war-in-Ukraine-39740647/ |access-date=2022-03-13 |website=Marketscreener|date=12 March 2022 }}{{Cite web |title=Burger King, Subway, Metro – which companies want to stay in Russia - Global Happenings |url=https://globalhappenings.com/economy/121045.html |access-date=2022-03-13 |website=Global Happenings}} Ukrainian government officials have called for a global boycott of the company.{{Cite web |title=Kuleba calls to boycott major companies refusing to leave Russian market |url=https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3429450-kuleba-calls-to-boycott-major-companies-refusing-to-leave-russian-market.html |access-date=2022-03-21 |website=Ukrinform |date=14 March 2022}} The Ukrainian office of MetroAG has allegedly been threatened by the company's headquarters in Germany due to the Ukrainian branch openly calling for sanctions on Metro's Russian branch. According to Ukrainian ex-minister Dmytro Dubilet the Ukrainian branch has received warnings to be disconnected from the centralized supply.{{Cite web |title=Metro to Keep Stores Open in Russia |url=https://www.epravda.com.ua/news/2022/03/18/684307/ |access-date=2022-03-18 |website=Українська Правда |language=uk}} In February 2023, the National Agency for the Prevention of Corruption of Ukraine included the company in the list of International Sponsors of War.{{Cite web|url=https://suspilne.media/399758-nazk-vneslo-kompaniu-metro-cash-carry-do-pereliku-miznarodnih-sponsoriv-vijni/|title=НАЗК внесло компанію Metro Cash & Carry до переліку міжнародних спонсорів війни|access-date=2023-03-01|language=uk}}{{Cite web|title=ТОВ "Метро Кеш енд Керрі" {{!}} Війна і санкції|url=https://sanctions.nazk.gov.ua/sanction-company/5334/|website=sanctions.nazk.gov.ua|access-date=2023-03-01|language=uk|archive-date=1 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230301140453/https://sanctions.nazk.gov.ua/sanction-company/5334/|url-status=dead}}

Image:Metro Deutschland Logo 2024.svg

Image:Moscow, Prospect Mira 211 - Metro hypermarket (30874380733).jpg

File:Makro_krakow.jpg, Poland]]

File:Metropk.jpg, Pakistan]]

Metro AG is Russia's fourth-biggest retailer behind X5 PJPq.L, Magnit MGNTq.L and French chain Auchan.{{Cite news |date=2014-03-25 |title=Metro will keep investing in Russia so long as trade flows safe|work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-ukraine-crisis-metro-idUKBREA2O13I20140325 |access-date=2023-04-23}} The company entered the market in 2001 with the opening of its first wholesale store in Moscow.{{Cite web |title=Metro Russia |url=https://www.linkedin.com/company/metro-cash-&-carry-russia |via=LinkedIn}} Over the years, Metro AG has expanded its presence in the country, opening stores in several other cities, including Saint Petersburg, Nizhny Novgorod and Rostov-on-Don. There are 97 stores in 65 cities across the country.{{Cite web |title="Torgovye Tsentry METRO" |url=https://www.metro-cc.ru/torgovye-centry?itm_pm=cookie_consent_accept_button#}} In 2022, the company's revenue amounted to 224 billion rubles.{{Cite web |title=ООО "Метро Кэш Энд Керри" |url=https://www.rusprofile.ru/id/715821 |access-date=2023-12-26 |website=www.rusprofile.ru |language=ru}}

On 22 March 2022, in response to the ongoing war in Ukraine, Metro AG published an official statement expressing solidarity with Ukraine and condemning the war.{{Cite web |title=Statement on war in Ukraine |url=https://newsroom.metroag.de/en/news/statement-on-war-in-ukraine?dt=20220311 |access-date=2023-04-23 |website=newsroom.metroag.de}}

Currently, Metro AG is developing the integration of new projects in Russia, such as the establishment of the grocery stores chain "Fasol"{{Cite web |last=Андрій |first=Позняк |date=2023-02-28 |title=Continues to develop its business in the Russian Federation and sympathizes with terrorists: Metro Cash & Carry is included in the list of international sponsors of war |url=https://nazk.gov.ua/en/news/continues-to-develop-its-business-in-the-russian-federation-and-sympathizes-with-terrorists-metro-cash-carry-is-included-in-the-list-of-international-sponsors-of-war/ |access-date=2023-04-23 |website=National Agency on Corruption Prevention}} and the acceptance of payments by "Mir" cards,{{Cite web |title=Ukraine: Govt. adds Metro Cash & Carry to list of war sponsors because of its ongoing business & alleged ties to strategic sectors in Russia |url=https://www.business-humanrights.org/en/latest-news/ukraine-govt-adds-metro-cash-carry-to-list-of-war-sponsors-because-of-its-ongoing-business-in-russia/ |access-date=2023-04-23 |website=Business & Human Rights Resource Centre}} a project initiated by "Sberbank" in response to sanctions. Furthermore, the investigation by the National Agency on Corruption Prevention of Ukraine (NACP) revealed that the key shareholder of Metro Cash & Carry, Daniel Křetínský, controls EP Infrastructure (EPIF), which owns 49% of Eustream, the company that operates a gas transportation system from Russia to Central and Eastern Europe. This fact, combined with the company's actions, led to Metro Cash & Carry being added to the NACP's list of international sponsors of war.

Metro AG's latest quarterly financial results report,{{Cite web |title=Ukraine adds Metro to the list of international sponsors of war |url=https://mind.ua/en/news/20254089-ukraine-adds-metro-to-the-list-of-international-sponsors-of-war |access-date=2023-04-23 |website=Mind.ua}} which was released on 8 February 2023, indicates a decrease in sales at the chain's stores in Russia. The document states that the sales in local currency decreased by 14.1% in the first quarter of fiscal year 2022–2023; adjusted EBITDA in Russia decreased to €60 million from €81 million in Q1 2021/2022.

Metro sold in 2010, the Makro subsidiary in Morocco.{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/metro-ag-greece/update-1-germanys-metro-sells-nine-greek-cash-and-carry-stores-idUSL6N0TF2OA20141125|title=METRO Cash & Carry divests business in Morocco |publisher=Metro AG |date=2010-11-22 |access-date=2019-06-09}}

In 2012, Metro exited the United Kingdom market through the sale of its 30 Makro stores to Booker Group.{{cite web|url=http://www.thegrocer.co.uk/channels/wholesalers/booker/booker-swoops-to-buy-up-beleaguered-makro/229568.article|title=The Grocer - Booker swoops to buy up beleaguered Makro|access-date = 25 May 2015}}

In 2014, Metro divested its Greece operations by selling 9 Makro stores to Sklavenitis.{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/metro-ag-greece/update-1-germanys-metro-sells-nine-greek-cash-and-carry-stores-idUSL6N0TF2OA20141125|title=Germany's Metro sells nine Greek cash-and-carry stores |publisher=Reuters |date=2014-11-25 |access-date=2019-06-09}}

In 2014, Metro exited Vietnam by signing an agreement to sell its local subsidiary, consisting of 19 stores, to the Thai group Berli Jucker for €665 million.{{cite web|title=METRO GROUP signs agreement to divest its wholesale activities in Vietnam|url=http://www.metrogroup.de/en/media/press-releases/2014/08/07/metro-group-signs-agreement-to-divest-its-wholesale-activities-in-vietnam|access-date=1 March 2015|date=7 August 2014}}{{Cite web|url=https://e.vnexpress.net/news/business/economy/metro-vietnam-acquisition-by-thai-retail-giant-under-scrutiny-3397388.html|title=Metro Vietnam acquisition by Thai retail giant under scrutiny|publisher=vnexpress.net|date=4 May 2016}}

In December 2014, Metro exited the Denmark market. They had pioneered in-store delivery services nationally since opening their first store in 1971.{{cite web|url=http://www.metrogroup.de/en/media/press-releases/2014/10/10/metro-cash-and-carry-sells-parts-of-the-danish-business-to-euro-cater|title=METRO Cash & Carry sells parts of the Danish business to Euro Cater |publisher=Metrogroup.de |date=2014-10-10 |access-date=2015-09-24}}

Egypt had a brief market foray in 2010 with two stores opening, but these were closed between 2013 and 2015.{{cite web|url=http://www.makro.com.eg/servlet/PB/menu/-1_l43/index.html |title=مترو | TOP-LEVEL |access-date=2015-09-24 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130216062329/http://www.makro.com.eg/servlet/PB/menu/-1_l43/index.html |archive-date=February 16, 2013 }}

In April 2020, Metro completed the sale of a majority stake in its Chinese joint venture to Wumei Technology Group for more than €1.5 billion. Metro retained a 20% ownership stake in the venture, which operates 97 wholesale centers across China.{{Cite web|url=https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202004/23/WS5ea1a327a3105d50a3d18706.html |title=Majority stake in Metro sold to Wumei Technology Group in 1.5b euro deal |publisher=chinadaily.com.cn |date=23 April 2020}}

In August 2021, Metro ceased operations in Japan, resulting in the closure of all its 10 stores within the country.{{Cite web|title=Metro joins Walmart as latest outsider unable to conquer retail Japan|url=https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Retail/Metro-joins-Walmart-as-latest-outsider-unable-to-conquer-retail-Japan|access-date=2021-11-19|website=Nikkei Asia|date=2021-09-01}}

In September 2021, Metro announced it would end its supply business in Myanmar by the end of October 2021.{{Cite web|last=Das|first=Dayeta|date=2021-09-02|title=Wholesaler Metro To Cease Operations In Myanmar|url=https://www.esmmagazine.com/retail/wholesaler-metro-cease-operations-myanmar-145167|access-date=2021-11-19|website=European Supermarket Magazine}}

In 2022, Metro exited from Belgium through the bankruptcy of its local subsidiary, which operated stores under both the Metro and Makro brands.{{Cite web|url=https://www.retaildetail.eu/news/food/makro-belgium-now-officially-bankrupt/|title=Makro Belgium now officially bankrupt|website=retaildetail.eu|date=10 January 2023 |access-date=10 January 2023}} Notably, Belgium was the only country where Metro had stores under both brands, and it was also unique in allowing general access to its Makro network, typically reserved for business customers. Only Metro wholesale network stores that avoided bankruptcy were subsequently sold and reopened under the Sligro-M brand.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sligrofoodgroup.nl/en/news/update-acquisition-metro-activities-belgium|title=Update on the acquisition of Metro activities in Belgium|website=sligrofoodgroup.nl|access-date=3 April 2023}}

In 2023, their operations in India were sold to Reliance Retail.{{Cite news |date=2023-05-11 |title=METRO AG completes sale of its Indian operations to Reliance Retail |work=The Economic Times |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/cons-products/fashion-/-cosmetics-/-jewellery/metro-ag-completes-sale-of-its-indian-operations-to-reliance-retail/articleshow/100160690.cms |access-date=2023-05-23 |issn=0013-0389}}

In 2012, in the face of an impending brand conflict, Microsoft renamed its Metro user interface of the Microsoft Windows 8 computer operating system (to Microsoft Design Language, or MDL).{{cite news |url= https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2012/08/microsoft-metro-out-windows-8-style-ui-in-amid-rumors-of-a-trademark-dispute/ |title= Sources claim that German retailer Metro AG is unhappy with Redmond |work= Ars Technica |date= 2 August 2012 |last= Bright |first= Peter}}

{{Portal|Germany|Companies}}

• EuroCommerce

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category|METRO Group}}

• {{official website|https://www.metroag.de/en/}}
• [http://www.metro-cc.com Metro wholesale]

{{Major retail companies}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Metro Ag}}

Category:Retail companies established in 1964

Category:Retail companies of Germany

Category:Companies based in Düsseldorf

Category:Multinational companies headquartered in Germany

Category:Supermarkets of Germany

Category:Wholesalers of Germany

Category:German companies established in 1964

Category:Companies in the MDAX

Category:Companies listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange

Category:Warehouse clubs