Metro AG, otherwise known as Metro Group, is a German global diversified retail and wholesale/cash and carry group based in Dü ××××××××× 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.[citation needed] 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:
Metro and Makro Cash and Carry (Makro stores in the United Kingdom and elsewhere in Europe were acquired from SHV Holdings in 1998): This division accounts for nearly half of group sales as of 2004, and is by far the most internationalised division, with stores in almost every country in which the group operates.
Real: A hypermarket operator. 265 stores in Germany and 34 elsewhere as of early 2005.
Media Markt and Saturn: Media Markt and Saturn are consumer electronics stores in Germany and several other European countries.
Galeria Kaufhof: A department store chain with locations in Germany and Belgium ("Inno"). Sold to Hudson's Bay Company in 2015 for $3.2 billion U.S. dollars.
As of 2007 it has added the former Wal-Mart Germany stores to the Real chain.
International presence
Metro Group around the world
As of 2012, the Metro Group operated stores in 25 European countries, 5 Asian countries, and 1 in Africa.
