Company History

1964

The first Metro Self-Service wholesale store opens in Mulheim/Ruhr, Germany.
A second store opens for business in Essen.

1968

With a Makro store in the Netherlands Metro Cash & Carry takes the first step abroad. Therefore the company signs a partnership with Dutch Steenkolen Handelsvereeniging.

1970

The first Makro store in Belgium starts business. By the time 13 Metro stores have opened in neighbouring Germany.

1971

Metro starts Self-Service wholesale operations in Great Britain, France, Austria and Denmark, partly under the trade name Makro.

1972

Metro opens stores in Spain and Italy.

1984

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

1990

Metro Cash & Carry enters Turkey and Portugal.

1991

The first store in Morocco marks the company's step over the Mediterranean.

1992

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

1994

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

1996

Metro Cash & Carry starts out into the fast growing markets of the Far East. The international wholesale group is the first to obtain a licence for the country-wide expansion across China. Together with the partner Jinjiang Group. Metro Cash & Carry opens a store in Shanghai. At the same time a store in Romania is opened.
1996 is also the date of birth of the Metro Group in which Metro Cash & Carry forms the largest sales division. The Holding company Metro AG is listed on the stock markets.

1997

Metro enters the Czech Republic. All Makro stores are integrated into the Metro Cash & Carry system.

1999

The first Metro Cash & carry store in Bulgaria opens.

2000

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

2001

Metro Cash & Carry starts business in two stores in Russia. The country is one of the most promising Eastern European markets. By the time the wholesale group operates already 15 stores in China.

2002

The company keeps an eye on the Asian markets; the first stores in Japan and Vietnam are opened.

2003

Metro Cash & Carry enters Ukraine and India.

2004

Metro Cash & Carry is celebrating the 40th Anniversary of its successful operations. In December the first Metro store opens in Moldova.

2005

Metro Cash & Carry continues active expansion in Eastern Europe and enters Serbia.

2006

Metro Cash & Carry announces upcoming market entry in Pakistan

2007

Market entry in Pakistan, opening of 600th store in Novosibirsk