"Historical Store in Hamburg Harburg, Germany"

Our 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. Over 50 years on, METRO is now a leading international player in wholesale trade with more than 670 stores in 34 countries across Europe and Asia, serving about 16 million professional customers with a broad range of products and customised services.

2014 – 2000

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”.

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.

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.

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”.

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.

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.

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.

2005

METRO Cash & Carry enters Serbia.

2004

The 40th anniversary sees the company operating over 500 wholesale stores in 27 countries.

2003

METRO Cash & Carry enters Ukraine and India.

2002

The company keeps an eye on the Asian markets: The first stores in Japan and Vietnam open.

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.

2000

The Slovakian market is added to the company’s country network.

Delivery Truck on Road

1999 – 1990

1999

The first METRO Cash & Carry store in Bulgaria opens.

1997

METRO Cash & Carry enters the Czech Republic. All Makro stores are integrated into the METRO Cash & Carry organisation.

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.

1994

METRO Cash & Carry is one of the first international trade groups to enter Eastern Europe. The wholesaler opens stores in Hungary and Poland.

1992

With its market entry to Greece, METRO Cash & Carry is present in most of the member states of the European Union.

1990

METRO Cash & Carry enters Turkey and Portugal.

External View of a Chinese Store in the Nineties

1989 – 1980

1984

20 years after its formation, METRO Cash & Carry operates with more than 100 stores all over Europe.

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.

"Historical Store in Nanterre, France"

1979 – 1970

1972

The company opens stores in Spain and Italy.

1971

METRO starts wholesale operations in France, Austria and Denmark, partly under the brand name Makro.

1970

The first Makro store in Belgium opens its doors. By that time, 13 METRO stores have opened in neighbouring Germany.

"Historical Store in Voesendorf, Austria"

1969 - 1964

1968

With a Makro store in the Netherlands, METRO Cash & Carry takes the first step abroad, signing a partnership with the Dutch Steenkolen Handelsvereeniging.

1964

The first METRO wholesale store opens in Mülheim/Ruhr, Germany.

First Store in Mühlheim