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METRO AG

Metro AG
Aktiengesellschaft
Traded as MEO
Industry Retailing
Founded 1964; Metro AG formed in 1996
Headquarters Düsseldorf, Germany
Area served
Europe, Asia, Africa
Key people
Products Cash & Carry/warehouse club, department store, electronics specialty, hypermarket/supercenter/superstore, other specialty
Revenue Decrease58.417 billion (2015/16)
Increase €1.560 billion (2015/16)
Profit Decrease €599 million (2015/16)
Total assets Decrease €24.952 billion (2015/16)
Total equity Increase €5.332 billion (2015/16)
Number of employees
219,678 (2015/16)
Divisions
Website metrogroup.de

Metro AG, otherwise known as Metro Group, is a German global diversified retail and wholesale/cash and carry group based in Düsseldorf. As of 2010, it was the fourth-largest retailer in the world measured by revenues (after Wal-Mart, Carrefour and Tesco). It was established in 1964 by founders Ernst Schmidt and Wilhelm Schmidt-Ruthenbeck (1906-1988). Otto Beisheim became CEO and Chairman of Metro.

In June 2009 it was reported that the company was looking to purchase some of the assets of Arcandor, after the firm filed for bankruptcy. They split off and floated their Praktiker division in December 2006, a DIY/home improvement chain with stores in several countries.

In 2012, the company threatened Microsoft with legal action for infringing on "Metro" trademarks held by Metro AG. "Metro" had been the name of Microsoft's new "Windows 8-style" user interface.

On June 15, 2015, Metro AG agreed to sell Galeria Kaufhof to Canadian retail conglomerate Hudson's Bay Company for $3.2 billion.

The company operates the following sales divisions:

On March 30, 2016 Metro Group announced that it will be splitting into two independent companies:

· A leading international wholesale and food specialist, comprising Metro, Makro and Real, as well as a corresponding division and service companies.

· A leader in consumer electronics products and services, comprising Media Markt and Saturn and its portfolio including strong formats and brands.


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