“In the financial 2017/2018 (October 1, 2017 – September 30, 2018) year our revenue stood at EUR1.083 billion, EUR110 million higher than in the previous financial year,” says Roland Ruffing, the German executive who runs the local operations of Metro Cash & Carry.
The growth is organic, since the company did not open any new stores in 2018, a year when consumer spending rose by about 5% and the inflation by some 4%.
Metro has 30 cash & carry stores in Romania and no expansion plans. It will, however, focus on supporting small retailers, which are its customers and its bread and butter, after all.
In line with its strategy, Metro decided to take a bold step towards small traditional convenience stores, where it is the market leader with its LaDoiPasi stores. The market has been more than favorable, because consumers’ expectations have changed: people want easy, quick and pleasant shopping inside the community, Roland Ruffing said.
Metro does not own the LaDoiPasi chain, Romanian entrepreneurs who are its franchise partners do.
(English version by Loredana Fratila-Cristescu)