METRO GROUP’s corporate structure is characterised by a clear division of responsibilities. The company is headed by METRO AG. As a central management holding company, it oversees group management functions, including, in particular, Finance, Controlling, Legal and Compliance. The central management and administrative functions for METRO Cash & Carry are formally anchored within METRO AG.

The group’s operational business is handled by our four sales lines. In some cases, the sales lines operate in the market with several sales brands or through subsidiaries, depending on the respective strategy, segment and specific competitive environment.

METRO Cash & Carry is responsible for the group’s cash & carry business, Media-Saturn for consumer electronics retailing, Real for hypermarkets and Galeria Kaufhof for department stores. All sales lines have undivided responsibility for their entire supply chain – from procurement through logistics to stationary and online sales.

So far, we have bundled our real estate capabilities, structures and functions in the service company METRO PROPERTIES. To ensure efficient processes within our company, the operational activities of our real estate company METRO PROPERTIES will be integrated into the sales lines during the next financial year. We will no longer disclose this segment separately.

Service companies support all METRO GROUP sales lines with services in such areas as procurement, information technology and logistics. Together with METRO AG as a management holding, they are recognised under “Others”.

Overview of METRO GROUP

METRO Cash & Carry is a leading international player in self-service wholesale trade. Its brands METRO and MAKRO operate in 29 countries throughout Europe, Asia and Africa. The wholesale stores offer products and services tailored to the specific needs of professional customers, such as hotels and restaurants, catering firms, independent retailers, service providers and public authorities.

Media-Saturn is Europe’s number one in consumer electronics retailing. In nearly all 15 countries where the sales brands Media Markt and Saturn have stores, the stationary business is closely dovetailed with the online offering. The pure online retailer Redcoon, in which Media-Saturn acquired a 100 per cent stake in June 2013, sells its products in ten countries. A decentralised organisational structure, attractive offers, dedicated employees and innovative marketing all contribute to the success of Media-Saturn.

Real is one of the leading hypermarket operators in Germany, where it runs both stationary stores and an online store. In addition, the sales line has locations in Turkey. All Real hypermarkets are characterised by a large proportion of high-quality fresh produce, a wide range of non-food articles and attractive prices offering good value for money. During the period under review, Real’s business in Romania, Russia and Ukraine – with the exception of four stores in Romania and one store in Russia – was sold to the French retail company Groupe Auchan. The transfer of the business in Poland is scheduled to be completed in the first half of the financial year 2013/14 upon approval by antitrust authorities.

Galeria Kaufhof is the market leader in the department store segment in Germany and Belgium. In Germany, the sales line is active under the Galeria Kaufhof name, in Belgium it uses the name Galeria Inno. Its stores are characterised by high-performance assortments with international brands and top-quality own brands. Its stores’ event-orientated product presentation provides for a special customer experience. Galeria Kaufhof is positioned as a modern retail brand with an unmistakable profile.

Real Estate: METRO PROPERTIES is the real estate company of METRO GROUP. On 1 October 2013, the company began to focus on the key value drivers in real estate and portfolio management, project development and transactions. In addition, the company will promote the development of selected projects which help our sales lines enhance their appeal to customers while raising the value of METRO GROUP’s property portfolio. Starting in the financial year 2013/14, Real Estate will no longer be reported as a separate segment.