Metro Group - food industry company news 
2012 - Supermarket battles to drive supplier M&A
6 February 2012
Some of the world's largest retailers struggled in 2011, which promises to mean even more intense competition in 2012. What could this mean for suppliers? Ultimately, it could mean the industry witnesses more consolidation this year.
Best bits: Food makers look ahead to another tough year
6 February 2012
2011 was a year of low consumer confidence, pressure from raw material costs and ever-increasing demands from retailers. This year is set to see more of the same.
UK: Metro UK arm names new finance director
20 January 2012
Metro Group has announced a new finance director at its Makro UK cash-and-carry operations.
GERMANY: Metro Group confirms 2011 sales, profit fall
18 January 2012
Metro Group, the world's third-largest retailer, has confirmed its warning in December that sales and profits in 2011 will be below the levels generated in 2010.
GERMANY: Retailers in spotlight over banana workers rights
6 January 2012
Charity Oxfam has accused German retailers of sourcing bananas from plantations in Ecuador that have "intolerable and exploitative working conditions".
2011 in review - Retail giants battle consumer weakness, corporate turmoil
22 December 2011
A slump in consumer confidence and a turbulent year at a corporate level for some major retailers were defined 2011. Dean Best looks back at a tumultuous year for the world's major food retailers.
GERMANY: Metro management reshuffle
16 December 2011
German retailer Metro Group today (16 December) announced a management reshuffle for the new year.
GERMANY: Metro shares slump after profit warning
6 December 2011
Shares in Metro Group, the world's third-largest retailer, tumbled today (6 December) after it cut its sales and profit forecast for 2011.
Quote, unquote: India retail reform special
29 November 2011
India's cabinet has relaxed rules on foreign direct investment in the country's retail sector. The move was lauded by global retailers but met with opposition from large sections of the parliament, because foreign companies can now own 51% of multi-brand retail stores. In this special quote unquote, just-food outlines the thoughts of those affected by the announcement.
Best bits: Caution over India's retail ruling
28 November 2011
Multinational retailers beware. For all the headlines last week, the passage into India's fledgling and potentially lucrative retail sector is likely to be anything but smooth.
Editor's choice: the highlights on just-food last week
28 November 2011
Global retail dominated our headlines this week, not least with the news that India has decided to ease the rules on foreign investment in the sector. In Europe, Ahold outlined its new strategy, rival Dutch retailer Jumbo snapped up local player C1000 and analysts reflected on the new CEO at Metro Group. Elsewhere, the turmoil surrounding US snack maker Diamond Foods widened when it emerged that a director had been found dead.
Quote, unquote: just-food's week in words
28 November 2011
India's cabinet was met with opposition from large sections of the parliament, because of the decision that foreign companies can now own 51% of multi-brand retail stores. After Campbell Soup Co. posted a drop in first-quarter profits and Metro Group appointed a new CEO, both companies have work ahead of them. Meanwhile, General Mills blasted research that the lining of some soup cans increases levels of bisphenol A (BPA).
INDIA: New Delhi "agrees to ease laws on foreign retail ownership"
24 November 2011
The Indian government has reportedly approved plans to further open up the country's retail industry, a decision that could see a wave of foreign investment into the sector.
GERMANY: Analysts support Metro CEO Koch but challenges remain
23 November 2011
Analysts have welcomed the appointment of Metro Group CFO Olaf Koch as CEO but warned that he has challenges to face.
GERMANY: Metro Group CFO Koch to replace Cordes in hot seat
21 November 2011
Metro Group CFO Olaf Koch is being lined up to replace Dr Eckhard Cordes as chairman of the German retail's management board.
INDIA: Metro Group to accelerate expansion in India
18 November 2011
Metro Group has confirmed that it will accelerate expansion of its cash-and-carry network in India by opening up to ten more stores.
GERMANY: Metro "board split" on new CEO
16 November 2011
German retail giant Metro Group has declined to comment on reports of a boardroom split over who will replace CEO Dr Eckhard Cordes.
Quote, unquote: just-food's week in words
7 November 2011
This week, food giants continued to post third-quarter results including German retailer Metro Group and food manufacturer Kraft Foods. Meanwhile, B&G Foods snapped up four food brands from Unilever. However, Diamond Foods' acquisition of Proctor & Gamble's brand Pringles has been delayed six months due to an investigation.
Editor's choice: the highlights on just-food last week
7 November 2011
It's financial results season this week, with Kraft and Tate & Lyle performing strongly, while Chiquita and Whole Foods faltered. Diamond Foods' deal to buy Pringles from Procter & Gamble was delayed, prompting consternation among stockholders, and Portuguese retailer Jeronimo Martins announced extensive investments in Latin America. Click on the headlines for more.
On the money: Metro CEO Cordes "enthusiastic" despite economic strife
4 November 2011
Metro Group CEO Dr Eckhard Cordes said that the company's full-year EBIT target of 10% growth is still achievable, despite economic uncertainty.
GERMANY: Metro profits up but risks remain
3 November 2011
Metro Group has announced it expects earnings for its full-year to grow by 5%, but warned that market turbulence remains.
GERMANY: Metro chairman Kluge steps down
18 October 2011
The chairman of Metro Group's supervisory board has stepped down to give the German retail giant a "fresh start".
Quote, unquote: just-food's week in words
17 October 2011
After losing the support of the Metro Group board, CEO Dr Eckhard Cordes this week announced his plan to leave the world's third-largest retailer by next year. Elsewhere in retail, Sainsbury's made its latest move in the battle for the UK's deal-hungry consumers and the country's retailers met at the annual IGD conference. On the other side of the Atlantic, meanwhile, PepsiCo brushed off the latest questions on whether the company was considering to split in two.
Editor's choice: the highlights on just-food last week
17 October 2011
PepsiCo's strategic options grabbed the headlines this week, with the company insisting it was not considering plans to split in two and then 48 hours later being linked to a yoghurt venture with German dairy group Müller. In Germany, meanwhile, Metro Group's CEO announced he would leave the retailer next year. Elsewhere in the retail sector, Wal-Mart was forced to close stores in China amid a probe into pork prices and we interviewed Spar International on its moves in emerging markets.
On the move: Discord bookends Cordes reign at Metro Group
14 October 2011
Four years ago, Metro Group CEO Dr Eckhard Cordes took the top job at the German retail giant in the wake of discord in the boardroom and uncertainty over the company's future. He is set to leave the world's fourth-largest retailer in much the same way.
GERMANY: Metro expands presence in Turkey
14 October 2011
German retailer Metro Group has confirmed plans to expand its presence in Turkey.
UPDATE: GERMANY: Metro CEO Cordes received vote of no confidence
10 October 2011
Metro Group CEO Dr Eckhard Cordes received a vote of no confidence from the retailer's supervisory board, prompting his decision not to ask for a renewal of his contract, just-food understands.
GERMANY: Metro Group CEO Cordes to leave
10 October 2011
Metro Group CEO Dr Eckhard Cordes has announced he will leave the company next year, citing trust issues between himself and management.
SWITZ: Denner appoints Irminger as CEO
30 September 2011
Swiss grocery retailer Migros has handed the temporary CEO of its discount chain Denner the job on a permanent basis.
Editor's choice: the highlights on just-food this week
26 September 2011
Tesco this week announced plans to cut GBP500m (US$773.6m) from the price of thousands of items in the UK in a revamp of its promotional strategy. Suppliers and rival retailers will be weighing up the impact on their businesses and the move comes at a difficult time for online retailer Ocado, which has a high-profile price-matching campaign aimed at Tesco and has seen its shares fall this week. Elsewhere, Kerry Group boosted its ingredients business with a move to buy Cargill's flavours arm while one deal that will not happen is ConAgra Foods' bid to buy Ralcorp Holdings, which again refused to talk to its suitor.
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