Key performance indicators

The chapter “Key performance indicators” provides information about METRO GROUP’s sustainability performance in the form of key performance indicators (KPIs). It is divided into figures showing the company’s economic performance, staff-related KPIs and key indicators on our main courses of action as regards our value chain.

Reporting period

In 2013, METRO GROUP changed its financial year from the calendar year to the twelve months from October to September. The previous three financial years and the reference year for our climate protection target are reported as follows:^[1]

• financial year 2011: 1/1/2011–31/12/2011
• financial year 2012: 1/1/2012–31/12/2012
• financial year 2012/13: 1/10/2012–30/9/2013
• financial year 2013/14: 1/10/2013–30/9/2014

^[1] Wherever possible, staff-related KPIs are reported using the new financial year (October to September)

Approach to data collection

The key performance indicators reported are based on data that is gathered using various internal reporting systems. As a rule, this data is systematically recorded for each sales line and each country every quarter, in some cases every month. The KPIs are based on data collected for the whole METRO GROUP, that is for all of the four sales lines’ outlets, back offices and warehouses and for the head office in Düsseldorf. It is necessary to extrapolate and estimate consumption data for some KPIs in cases where the primary data available is incomplete. This affects KPIs relating to transport, warehousing, stores and waste disposal. In a few isolated cases, we do not have access to reliable primary data which we can use to extrapolate consumption figures. As a result, this consumption is not included. The table showing the extent of the data available provides information about the coverage of each key performance indicator.

For instance, we do not have comprehensive measured or read-out energy usage data for the Media-Saturn consumer electronics stores which are tenants in shopping centres. Likewise, complete consumption figures are not available for a number of leased warehouses used by our sales lines. For this reason, the energy-related KPIs’ coverage is less than 100 per cent. In both cases, however, the related greenhouse gas emissions are included in the carbon footprint under Scope 3 (leased assets).

Due to the situation in Ukraine, data is not available for a number of METRO Cash & Carry stores there for the current reporting period.

We do not have any data on the quantity of paper procured by Media-Saturn on a decentralised basis. Like energy consumption, paper usage is included in the carbon footprint. Consequently, the carbon footprint’s coverage is less than 100 per cent.

The selling space figures used as a basis for some KPIs are averages for the year. They differ from the reporting date figures given in the annual report.

At present, we are only able to provide key performance indicators on work-related accidents and vocational trainees for staff in Germany, while the KPIs for continuing professional development relate solely to the sales line METRO Cash & Carry.

Deviations from previous reports

In some cases, the figures quoted in previous sustainability reports differ from those cited in this report. Unlike in previous years, portfolio adjustments will no longer be made for environmental key performance indicators as of this reporting period (Real sales in Poland, Russia, Ukraine, Romania and Turkey in 2012 and 2013). In some cases, we have also replaced estimates with concrete data where this has subsequently become available to improve the quality of the data.

In addition to this, updates to emission factors have led to deviations in the emission volumes quoted in previous reports. We use emission factors to calculate the CO₂ equivalents of our consumption relating to the various sources of emissions. For the current reporting period, we have adjusted the emission factors for all sources of emissions to reflect the latest scientific and technical research. We have also retrospectively amended the emission factors for greenhouse gas emissions from refrigerant loss going back to 2011 based on the latest research findings. In most cases, these emission levels are now higher than those reported in the past. The Defra database and GEMIS are the main sources we use for emission factors.

We will continue to complete our data collection on an ongoing basis to improve the level of transparency and the way we manage our sustainability performance.

Extent of data available

Selected sustainability KPIs have been audited by KPMG AG Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft. The relevant certificate PDF (70KB) forms part of the online version of the METRO GROUP Corporate Responsibility Report.