The METRO Group is optimistic

METRO Group will continue on its profitable growth course and thus expand its position as one of the leading international retail groups over the next few years.

METRO Group maintains its medium-term forecast of over 6 percent sales growth per year. For 2010, the company expects sales to exceed the previous year’s level but to still fall short of this target level. METRO Group’s strategy aims for long term profitable growth, that is, disproportionately higher growth of earnings than sales. Previously, the medium-term growth target was 8 percent per year. The sales trend was characterised by a strong buying restraint in the non-food sector, especially in Eastern Europe, caused by the crisis. The devaluation of most Eastern European currencies had a strongly negative impact on sales.