METRO group reports record sales

Metro Cash & Carry consolidated its position as world market leader in self-service wholesale in 2008. The division stepped up sales by 4.6% to EUR33.1 billion. Metro Cash & Carry EBIT increased by 6.8% to EUR1.3 billion.

 Metro Group's sales increased by 5.8%
to EUR68.0 billion. Adjusted by negative currency effects, group
sales grew by 6.1% year-on-year. In Germany, Metro Group sales grew
by 2.0% to EUR26.7 billion in 2008. Internationally, Group sales rose
by 8.4% to EUR41.3 billion. The international share of sales
increased to 60.8%. In Western Europe, Group sales went up by 2.2% to
EUR21.0 billion. Eastern Europe again reported a dynamic growth with
sales rising 15.3% to EUR18.1 billion. In Asia/Africa, Metro Group
generated a plus in sales of 18.6% to EUR2.2 billion. EBIT before
special items grew by 7.1% to EUR2.2 billion. Metro Group increased
its capital expenditure by 12% to EUR2.5 billion in the past year.
The major part of these investments was used for the continued
international expansion of the growth drivers Metro Cash & Carry
as well as Media Markt and Saturn. In total, 124 new stores were
opened, thereof 40 Metro Cash & Carry wholesale stores, 14 Real
hypermarkets and 70 Media Markt and Saturn consumer electronics
centres.

The share of international sales in
total sales reached 54.3%, an increase on the 52.8% reported one year
earlier. EBIT came in at EUR603 million (USD882 million), following
EUR610 million (USD893 million) last year. Major expenses for the
strong expansion as well as a drop in earnings in Western Europe –
especially in Spain – could be largely compensated with higher
earnings in Germany and Eastern Europe.

Sales of METRO Cash & Carry
Hungary grow by 2% to 750 million euro, two warehouse were renovated.