METRO

HISTORY
Founded in Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany in 1964, METRO Cash & Carry’s concept was
revolutionary at the time: professional customers could select their own purchases all under
one roof, pay for them in cash and take the items with them. 50 years on, METRO Cash & Carry
is now a leading international player in wholesale trade with 764 stores in 25 countries across
Europe and Asia, serving about 21 million professional customers with a broad range of
products and customised services.

50 YEARS OF SUCCESS
Half a century of METRO Cash & Carry: since the company's establishment in 1964, we have
been a driving force in the self-service wholesale business. Here, you can trace the milestones
of our history and read insightful interviews with some of the people who have played a major
role in our success.

1964 - 1969
1964
The first METRO wholesale store opens in Mülheim/Ruhr, Germany.
1968
With a Makro store in the Netherlands, METRO Cash & Carry takes the first step abroad, signing
a partnership with the Dutch Steenkolen Handelsvereeniging.

1970 – 1979
1970
The first Makro store in Belgium opens its doors. By that time, 13 METRO stores have opened in
neighbouring Germany.
1971
METRO starts wholesale operations in France, Austria and Denmark, partly under the brand
name Makro.
1972
The company opens stores in Spain and Italy.

1980 – 1989
1980
The right products in the right place at the right time: METRO Cash & Carry was one of the first
wholesalers in Germany to systematically manage its inventory electronically.
1984
20 years after its formation, METRO Cash & Carry operates with more than 100 stores all over
Europe.

1990 – 1999
1990
METRO Cash & Carry enters Turkey and Portugal.
1992
With its market entry to Greece, METRO Cash & Carry is present in most of the member states
of the European Union.
1994
METRO Cash & Carry is one of the first international trade groups to enter Eastern Europe. The
wholesaler opens stores in Hungary and Poland.
1996
METRO Cash & Carry starts out in the fast growing markets of the Far East. The international
wholesale group is among the first foreign companies to obtain a licence for the country-wide
expansion across China. The first METRO Cash & Carry store opens in Shanghai. In the same
year, METRO Cash & Carry enters the Romanian market.

1996 also sees the birth of METRO GROUP, in which METRO Cash & Carry forms the largest
sales line. The holding company METRO AG is listed on the German stock exchange.
1997
METRO Cash & Carry enters the Czech Republic. All Makro stores are integrated into the
METRO Cash & Carry organisation.
1999
The first METRO Cash & Carry store in Bulgaria opens.

2000 – 2014
2000
The Slovakian market is added to the company’s country network.
2001
METRO Cash & Carry starts trading with two stores in Russia. The country is one of the most
promising Eastern European markets. By that time, the wholesale group already operates 15
stores in China.
2002
The company keeps an eye on the Asian markets: The first stores in Japan and Vietnam open.
2003
METRO Cash & Carry enters Ukraine and India.
2004
The 40th anniversary sees the company operating over 500 wholesale stores in 27 countries.
2005
METRO Cash & Carry enters Serbia.
2007
METRO Cash & Carry opens the first store in Pakistan in Lahore. The company’s new opening in
Aalborg, Denmark, sets new standards for environment protection and energy saving with
extensive technological innovation.
2009
The company starts broadening its service portfolio, piloting a delivery service in Germany
which is now available in 29 countries. It also launches a new own brand concept including six
own brands focusing on key target groups. The company enters Kazakhstan.
2010
An innovative store format is added: city centre stores in Paris catering solely to Horeca
customers. The concept is later rolled out to Rome and Madrid.
2011
METRO Cash & Carry celebrates the opening of its 700th store, located in Istanbul. The
company starts selling selected product ranges online in some countries. Trader franchise
programme for small independent grocery shops kicks off in Poland under the brand “ODIDO”.
2012
With annual sales of €31.6 billion and 743 locations in 29 countries, METRO Cash & Carry is the
leading international player in wholesale. The expansion in China is being accelerated with 12
new openings in one year, a record for the wholesale company.
2013
The company opens 750th store in Chongqing, China. With annual sales of more than €2 billion,
the delivery service is one of our most successful sales concepts.
2014
METRO Cash & Carry celebrates its 50th birthday with its employees, clients and suppliers all
over the world. METRO Cash & Carry renews it commitment of being “Champion for
Independent Business”.