Metro AG

Not to be confused with Metro Inc..
Metro AG
Aktiengesellschaft
Traded as FWB: MEO
Industry Retailing
Founded 1964; Metro AG formed in 1996
Headquarters Düsseldorf, Germany
Area served
 Europe, Asia, Africa
Key people
Products Cash & Carry/warehouse club, department store, electronics specialty, hypermarket/supercenter/superstore, other specialty
Revenue Decrease €59.219 billion (2014/15)[1]
Decrease €1.511 billion (2014/15)[1]
Profit Increase €672 million (2014/15)[1]
Total assets Decrease €27.656 billion (2014/15)[1]
Total equity Increase €5.172 billion (2014/15)[1]
Number of employees
 226,895 (2014/15)[1]
Divisions
Website metrogroup.de
Head office

Metro AG, otherwise known as Metro Group, is a German global diversified retail and wholesale/cash and carry group based in Düsseldorf.[2] As of 2010, it was the fourth-largest retailer in the world measured by revenues (after Wal-Mart, Carrefour and Tesco).[3] It was established in 1964 by founders Ernst Schmidt and Wilhelm Schmidt-Ruthenbeck (1906-1988). Otto Beisheim became CEO and Chairman of Metro.

History

In June 2009 it was reported that the company was looking to purchase some of the assets of Arcandor, after the firm filed for bankruptcy. They split off and floated their Praktiker division in December 2006, a DIY/home improvement chain with stores in several countries.

In 2012, the company threatened Microsoft with legal action for infringing on "Metro" trademarks held by Metro AG. "Metro" had been the name of Microsoft's new "Windows 8-style" user interface.[4]

On June 15, 2015, Metro AG agreed to sell Galeria Kaufhof to Canadian retail conglomerate Hudson's Bay Company for $3.2 billion.[5]

Sales divisions

The company operates the following sales divisions:

Division of the company

On March 30, 2016 Metro Group announced that it will be splitting into two independent companies:[6]

· A leading international wholesale and food specialist, comprising Metro, Makro and Real, as well as a corresponding division and service companies.

· A leader in consumer electronics products and services, comprising Media Markt and Saturn and its portfolio including strong formats and brands.

A spin-off of the wholesale and food sector of current Metro AG will be responsible for the group’s division into two independent and publicly listed companies. Both will have their own Management, Supervisory Board and independent company profiles. As a result, the companies will be able to put a greater focus on their customer groups and markets in the future. Each of the two companies will launch as independent publicly traded company with their own management, board, and independent profile. This separation will allow the two companies to focus on their own customer groups and markets.

International presence

Metro Group around the world

As of 2012, the Metro Group operated stores in 25 European countries, 5 Asian countries, and 1 in Africa.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Annual Report 2014/15". Metro AG. Retrieved 30 May 2016.
  2. ↑ "Contact & Directions". Metro AG. Retrieved 15 June 2014. Metro-Straße 1, 40235 Düsseldorf
  3. ↑ Switching Channels: Global Powers of Retailing 2012 (Report). Delotte. January 2012. p. G11. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
  4. ↑ Bright, Peter (2 August 2012). "Sources claim that German retailer Metro AG is unhappy with Redmond.". Ars Technica.
  5. ↑ "Canada's Hudson's Bay Company and Metro Group Reach Agreement over Sale of Galeria Kaufhof". hbc.com.
  6. ↑ "Metro Group prepares demerger into two independent, strong wholesale and retail groups". metrogroup.de/en.

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