Metro: passion and expertise

2014 is a special year for Metro, celebrating the 50th anniversary of forming the Metro Group and 20 years of Metro in Hungary.

Romain Vincent
beszerzési igazgató
Metro

The anniversary year is made memorable with the You&Metro campaign for customers, in which the SIRHA Budapest trade fair – held between 10 and 12 March – played a major role. One of the biggest stands was Metro’s, with a pizzeria in one corner and a café in another. In the middle they installed seats for those who wished to follow what was happening in the show kitchen. There were many special things in the fish counter too. Radio presenter László Lovász was always busy, hosting the cookery shows and the press conferences. Nearly 50 Metro workers participated in making the stand work and keeping visitors informed. Metro Hungary CEO Imre Horváth emphasised in his opening speech that opening the first two Metro stores in Hungary 20 years ago had been a milestone in the country’s retail, because they entered the market with a never-before-seen concept and an exceptionally wide range of products. Metro contributed to the Bocuse d’Or 2014 chef competition with first-class ingredients and sponsoring participants’ preparation; the winner and his team will continue to enjoy Metro’s support. Karel Frans van Helbergen, Metro’s director responsible for Eastern Europe also visited the stand at SIRHA Budapest, thanked the staff for their work and told that the company’s new customer-centred approach is key in being successful in the future as well. These days customers expect personalised information and being able to start shopping anytime and anywhere – and of course they want home delivery. Metro Group reacted to these new challenges by offering more services than ever before. Romain Vincent, offer management director of Metro Hungary told that Metro France has been a supplier of Bocuse d’Or final in Lyon since 2005. As for the Hungarian leg of the competition, this year Metro brought Belon oysters from France and Bouchot mussels from the Irish shore – not only to the Hungarian selection but also for the training practices of chefs. Metro Hungary sells 30 types of freshwater fish and 70 various fruits of the sea. Mr Vincent added that Metro keeps surveying customer demand and shapes its product assortment accordingly. Metro Hungary sales director Olivier Sainson told our magazine that those working at Metro have to be passionate about what they sell and about their customers. What is more, they need to engage in constant dialogue with customers, learning about their needs firsthand to be able to come up with the best solutions possible. It is very important to customers to have a personal reference point in the Metro staff – someone who takes care of them, giving a helping hand and making recommendations in every area possible, from store decorations to training programmes to buying goods to home delivery.