Metro AG is a German multinational company based in DĂŒsseldorf which operates business membership only cash and carry stores primarily under the Metro brand.[8] Until 2020 it was also active in general retail business through Real division, which was sold to an investor consortium.
Unlike American warehouse clubs such as Costco or Sam's Club, it is not possible for private customers to acquire a membership for most Metro locations. As of September 2022 it operates around 661 stores in 31 countries in Europe and Asia.
The company was established in 1964 by Ernst Schmidt and Wilhelm Schmidt-Ruthenbeck. In 2010, it was the fourth-largest retailer in the world measured by revenues, after Wal-Mart, Carrefour and Tesco.[9] Its current incarnation was launched in 2017 as a spun-off of old Metro AG, which continued to be a consumer electronics retailer and renamed itself Ceconomy
The history of the Metro began on 8 November 1963 in Essen with the opening of the first wholesale center under the name Metro by the brothers Ernst Schmidt and Wilhelm Schmidt-Ruthenbeck. Planning and opening of the first hypermarket under the name Metro in Essen was the responsibility of Walter Vieth, who was managing director there from 1963 to 1970.
In 1964, a year after the opening of the first Metro store, the Stöcker & Reinshagen company (the Schell family) planned a cash and carry store in MĂŒlheim an der Ruhr. During the construction phase, the businessmens Schmidt-Ruthenbeck, Schmidt and Schell met and decided to merge their cash and carry activities. So they founded Metro-SB-GroĂmarkt GmbH & Co. KG with headquarters in MĂŒlheim, later in DĂŒsseldorf. Otto Beisheim, until 1964 authorized signatory of the company Stöcker & Reinshagen, became the sole managing director."Metro revolutionierte vor 50 Jahren den Einzelhandel". Der Westen (in German). 26 October 2014. Retrieved 15 April 2021. In 1966, the third Metro was opened in West Berlin.
In 1966, Otto Beisheim met Friedrich Wilhelm Lenz, Chairman of the Management Board of Franz Haniel & Cie. and was able to convince him into investing in Metro. In the course of the following reorganization Beisheim became a shareholder himself. From this point on, the founding family Schmidt-Ruthenbeck and the shareholders Beisheim and Haniel each held about one third of the shares.
Under the sole leadership of Otto Beisheim, a rapid and very successful expansion of the Metro stores into the greater German and European area began in 1967 with the opening of the Metro stores in Godorf near Cologne, Hamburg, Munich and, after a connection with the Dutch company SHV Holdings, the first C&C wholesale store (brand: Makro) in the Netherlands, and in 1968 in DĂŒsseldorf.
In 1980, Metro took over 24.9 percent of Kaufhof.
In March 1996, Metro AG was formed by the merger of Metro Cash & Carry with Kaufhof Holding AG, Deutsche SB-Kauf AG (of the insolvent company co op AG), and Asko Deutsche Kaufhaus AG (emerged from Allgemeine Saar Konsum, in which a Metro investment company had previously held shares). The group also included the Huma shopping centers, the sports retail stores Primus Sportwelt, MHB Handel AG and the office supplies and stationery manufacturer Pelikan, as well as Media-Saturn, the consumer electronics business of Media Markt and Saturn. The share of Metro AG was founded retrospectively on January 1 and listed on 22 July 1996 on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and was part of the DAX until 2012.
In 1998, the computer retailers Vobis and Maxdata, the Adler fashion stores and Reno's shoe retailers, the discounter TiP, Möbel Roller and unprofitable Kaufhof branches were brought into the subsidiary Divaco, which was founded together with Deutsche Bank and the Gerling Group, in order to attract new buyers. In December 2003, Metro separated from its stake in Divaco KG and sold its shares to the sole shareholder and CEO, Siegfried Kaske, for 1 euro. In 2004, Metro bought Adler fashion stores back...
   Read moreMetro Cash and Carry in Kolkata is a one-stop shopping destination that offers a wide range of products under a single roof. I have been a regular customer here, and I am thoroughly impressed with the store's offerings.
First and foremost, the product variety is exceptional. From fresh produce to electronics, household items, clothing, and more, Metro Cash and Carry has it all. This convenience is a huge time-saver for shoppers like me who prefer to get everything in one go.
The quality of the products is consistently high. I have never been disappointed with the freshness of their fruits and vegetables, and the electronics and household items have always been reliable.
The staff is friendly and helpful. They are readily available to assist with any inquiries and guide you to find what you need. Additionally, the store is well-organized and clean, making the shopping experience pleasant.
One of the standout features is the bulk-buying option, which is particularly useful for businesses and restaurants. The pricing is competitive, and the discounts for bulk purchases are a great incentive.
Parking facilities are ample, and the location is convenient for customers from various parts of the city.
In conclusion, Metro Cash and Carry in Kolkata is a fantastic place to shop for all your needs in one go. It's a reliable and convenient option for both individuals and businesses, and I highly recommend it for a hassle-free shopping experience. Certainly, here's a list of various product categories that you can typically find at a store like Metro Cash and Carry:
Fresh Produce: Fruits Vegetables Herbs
Groceries: Cereals and grains Canned goods Spices and seasonings Cooking oils Snacks
Dairy and Deli: Milk and dairy products Cheese Cold cuts
Meat and Seafood: Fresh meats (beef, chicken, pork) Seafood (fish, shrimp, etc.)
Bakery: Bread Pastries Cakes
Beverages: Soft drinks Juices Tea and coffee
Household Products: Cleaning supplies Kitchenware Home appliances
Electronics: TVs Home audio systems Kitchen appliances
Personal Care and Health: Toiletries Beauty products Over-the-counter medicines
Clothing and Apparel: Clothing for adults and children Footwear
Stationery and Office Supplies: Office supplies School supplies
Home and Garden: Furniture Gardening tools and supplies
Automotive: Car accessories Maintenance products
Pet Supplies: Pet food Accessories for pets
Bulk Items: Bulk grains, rice, and pasta Wholesale quantities of various products for businesses
Restaurant and Catering Supplies: Professional kitchen...
   Read moreThe departmental shop can fulfill our almost a 2 z requirements of daily needs. Vegitables, Fish, meat, fruits, milk items, spices, everything everything everything under one roof. Hige car parking, rest room available. Rest room needs cleaning time to time. 6th July 19 at Metro Cash & Carry observed the behaviour (which I could not digest) of the billing section force me to edit my review. The way they are enquiring about whether I am having Gold Card or not ? then, it will take time. Unfortunately I am having Gold Card. I think Metro authority should provide behavioural training to the people of billing section. Earlier also I observed same thing that time I ignore it, today I thought it is high time to mention this.
Today 13.07.2019 once again misbehaving with customer by Billing cum sales man at baking counter. Be aware friends about these guys. Metro is loosing its control on its employees. Today they use my debit card twice. 1st transaction no response from the machine, 2nd use successful. On my enquiry about 1st transaction he responded "you have not given your OTP". This is not the answer I asked. He is suppose to show me the machine and assure me there is no transaction hsppened. If anything happened that will be reversed. He always rude in his statement. This not done. Once again I request Metro Authority please train properly.
Today 12/04/24 visited once...
   Read more