Metro Group 
Editor's choice: the highlights on just-food this week
6 August 2010
It was no surprise that Russia's decision to temporarily ban wheat exports grabbed your attention this week. Wheat prices have soared in recent days and food makers will be facing rising commodity costs at the same time as facing still-weak consumer confidence. Two other stories out of Russia, Mars Inc's latest chocolate investment and a shareholder spat at food retailer Lenta, were highlights - as was our August just-food interview with the boss of Kellogg UK, Greg Peterson.
RUSSIA: Lenta general director leaves company
3 August 2010
The general director of Russian grocery chain Lenta, Jan Dunning, will leave the company.
On the money: Metro Group boss Cordes sees signs of recovery
2 August 2010
The chief executive of Metro Group said today (2 August) that he believes that trading conditions for the the world's third-largest retailer are beginning to improve after a challenging year for the German group.
GERMANY: Metro Group ups capex plans after H1 turnaround
2 August 2010
Metro Group, the world's third-largest retailer, has decided to increase its capex investment this year after posting a profit for the first half of 2010 - against a loss in the same period in 2009.
GERMANY: Metro Group vice chairman to leave company
29 July 2010
Metro Group's vice chairman Thomas Unger is leaving the company's management board effective 30 September 2010.
POLAND: Metro Group sees potential for small cash and carries
13 July 2010
Metro Group sees the potential for some 20 of its small-sized Makro Punct cash-and-carry stores in Poland over the mid-term.
The just-food management briefing - private label
7 July 2010
The economic downturn has led consumers to turn to private label for greater value. Own label has been a significant sector in Europe for decades but US consumers are now looking to store brands more regularly - and emerging markets are starting to catch on, too.
EGYPT: Metro readies opening of first Cash & Carry outlet
29 June 2010
Metro Group announced it will open its first wholesale store in Egypt, Cairo tomorrow (30 June).
EGYPT: Metro Group reaffirms Egypt store plans
28 June 2010
German retail giant Metro Group has reaffirmed plans to open its first wholesale store in Egypt.
RUSSIA: Metro readies small-format Metro Punct stores
9 June 2010
Metro Group plans to launch a concept of small-format cash-and-carry stores in Russia next year.
Best bits: Sodiaal, R&R, Plum Baby - M&A heats up
7 June 2010
Almost a year after French dairy group Sodiaal began its pursuit to buy local peer Entremont Alliance, we could at last be set to see the creation of one of Europe's largest dairy companies.
FRANCE: R&R acquires ice cream maker Rolland
1 June 2010
R&R Ice Cream has confirmed the acquisition of France's third-largest ice-cream maker Rolland for an undisclosed sum.
GERMANY: Metro "steps up" expansion after 2009 lull
21 May 2010
German retail giant Metro Group has outlined plans to "step up" its international expansion in 2010 after a challenging 12 months for the business.
In the spotlight: Metro ramps up expansion
21 May 2010
German retailer Metro Group has unveiled plans to increase its investment in international expansion and is targeting high-growth markets in Asia to help offset weakening sales in Europe. With Metro eyeing long-term gains, Katy Humphries asks if the time is ripe for a major expansion drive.
Quote, unquote: just-food's week in words
21 May 2010
President Sarkozy this week brokered an agreement with France's largest retailers to exercise restraint on margins to support the country's produce sector. Meanwhile, one of France's food giants, Danone, announced its first foray into Australia - and sent a warning to the country's domestic dairy groups. Here is the best of who said what this week.
Top stories on just-food this week
21 May 2010
Aside from our relaunch, this week's top stories focused on overseas investment by some of the biggest players in the food sector.
GERMANY: Metro Group Q1 losses fall
1 May 2010
Metro Group, the German retail giant, has seen first-quarter losses fall on the back of cost-cutting moves and higher sales.
UPDATE: GERMANY: Edeka to invest in expansion in 2010
28 April 2010
Edeka, Germany's largest retailer, said today (28 April) that it will invest in the expansion of its store network over the next two years.
GLOBAL: Ash cloud forces World Retail Congress to reschedule
19 April 2010
The volcanic ash cloud sitting over northern Europe has forced the organisers of the World Retail Congress to postpone this year's event, which was due to start on Wednesday (21 April).
Quote, unquote: just-food's week in words
19 March 2010
Retailers on both sides of the channel were upbeat this week even as the businesses posted less than identical annual results. The UK's The Co-operative Group was bullish after bumper full-year profits, while German giant Metro Group insisted its plans to revitalise the business are working even as profits tumbled. The long-running debates on Kraft Foods' takeover of Cadbury and on nutrition labelling also reared their heads this week. Here is the best of who said what about the pressing issues in the food industry this week.
Top stories on just-food this week
19 March 2010
Speculation that US retailer Supervalu Inc could be facing a leveraged buyout may not have convinced US analysts but the story certainly grabbed your interest this week.
RUSSIA: Competition authorities probe retail sector
18 March 2010
Russian competition authorities have launched an investigation into the dealing between retailers and suppliers, including Metro Cash & Carry.
UPDATE: GERMANY: Metro management shake-up to streamline business
17 March 2010
Metro Group is to integrate the management structure of its Metro AG holding company and Metro Cash & Carry units in order to drive growth in new markets and reduce costs.
On the money: Metro focuses on international to drive profits
17 March 2010
Metro Group today (17 March) raised its mid-term profit targets, insisting that its focus on international expansion coupled with its Shape 2012 cost-cutting programme will drive growth at the German retailer.
GERMANY: Metro remains upbeat as profits slide
17 March 2010
Metro Group has said that it expects to see a “tangible” increase in profits in the coming year despite this morning (17 March) posting a drop in earnings for fiscal 2009.
In the spotlight: Metro's upbeat outlook
17 March 2010
German retailer Metro Group today (17 March) posted declining earnings for 2009. However, the company also unveiled a major shake-up of management at its wholesale unit and insisted that cost cuts and investment in emerging markets positioned it well for future growth. Katy Humphries reports.
GERMANY: Mierdorf leaves Metro board in "mutual agreement"
26 February 2010
Zygmunt Mierdorf, a management board member at German retail giant Metro Group, is to leave by “mutual agreement”.
INDIA: Future Group admits JV talks with global retailers
16 February 2010
Indian conglomerate Future Group has confirmed that it is mulling the formation of a joint venture with a number of international retailers.
GERMANY: Watchdog probes consumer goods "cartel"
15 January 2010
Germany's competition watchdog has opened a probe into an alleged cartel in the country's food retail sector.
GERMANY: Currency effects hit Metro 2009 sales
12 January 2010
German retail giant Metro Group booked a 3.6% fall in sales today (12 January), hurt by the negative impact of foreign exchange rates.
Related research
Private Labels in Retailing 2009
Verdict Research: This new report provides a useful insight into the latest private label developments of retailers across different sectors including food & grocery, electricals and DIY. With a number of case studies spanning across different countries and retail sectors, the report identifies and examines the key strategies for retailers to develop and further optimise their private label offer.
Metro Jinjiang 2010: A Company Profile
Metro Jinjiang Cash & Carry is 90% owned by Germany's Metro Group with the remaining 10% by local state-run Jinjiang Group. Unlike supermarkets or hypermarkets, the company does not sell to private end users. Rather, it serves businesses and companies such as caterers, restaurants, hotels and small and medium-sized retailers.
European Trends in Food Shopping
Key Note estimates that the apparent UK market for commercial vehicles was worth £4.3bn in 2008 — a 2.1% decline on the figure for 2007. In common with many other areas of UK industry, the commercial-vehicle sector is being badly affected by the global credit crisis.
