- published: 03 Feb 2016
- views: 915
Metro AG is a diversified retail and wholesale/cash and carry group based in Düsseldorf, Germany. It has the largest market share in its home market, and is one of the most globalised retail and wholesale corporations. It is the fourth-largest retailer in the world measured by revenues (after Wal-Mart, Carrefour and Tesco). In English it often refers to itself as Metro Group. It was established in 1964 by Otto Beisheim.
The company operates the following sales divisions:
As of 2007 it has added the former Wal-Mart Germany stores to the Real chain.
As of 1 Jan 2007, the Metro Group operated stores in the following countries:
Europe
Asia
Africa
Canada's Metro Inc. is not affiliated.
In the 2003 calendar year, Metro Group had sales of €53,965 million. Profit before tax was €817 million, and group net profit was €496 million. In the early years of the 21st century, Metro had at that moment a lower growth rate than many of its global competitors.
The Metro group is looking towards expansion in Asia and Europe. The Metro group has announced plans to expand its operations in Algeria, Pakistan, Sweden, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Egypt. The Metro Group may also be commissioned by the German government to expand operations into Afghanistan's economically stable north, the region patrolled by German ISAF forces.