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 are therefore presented in a different format to 2011, the reference year of our climate protection target. The financial years are presented as follows:

• financial year 2011: 1/1/2011–31/12/2011
• financial year 2012/13: 1/10/2012–30/9/2013
• financial year 2013/14: 1/10/2013–30/9/2014
• financial year 2014/15: 1/10/2014–30/9/2015

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 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).

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 greenhouse gas emissions relating to purchased goods and services, assets and leased assets which are reported in accordance with Scope 3 are modelled because recording primary data for these is highly complex. The modelling is based on KPIs regarding METRO GROUP’s economic value added and an economic input-output model that draws on the economic flows of goods and services. The modelling has been adjusted for currency and inflation effects in the year under review.

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, the KPIs for work-related accidents concern employees in Germany only, while those for continuing professional development relate to the sales line METRO Cash & Carry and to METRO AG only.

Deviations from previous reports

In some cases, the figures presented in previous sustainability reports differ from those cited in this report.

The employee KPIs and the KPIs regarding value added do not include Galeria Kaufhof, either in the year under review or in the previous years. The sales line was sold in financial year 2014/15.

We have adjusted the continuing professional development and vocational training KPIs and no longer only report these in relation to employees in Germany.

The social audits KPI is now reported for production sites. In previous years, this related to the number of suppliers.

There are also differences compared with the greenhouse gas emissions reported in previous reports due to the updating of emission factors. We use emission factors to calculate the CO₂ equivalents of the consumption of the individual emission sources.

For the current reporting period, we brought the emission factors for all the emission sources into line with the latest scientific and technological standards. In addition, we adjusted the emission factors for waste with retrospective effect going back to 2011. As such, these emission volumes are now lower than previously reported. This is due to a 2012 change in the accounting system of the Defra emission factors database used by us. Emissions relating to waste processing are no longer the responsibility of METRO and must instead be accounted for by the waste disposal company.

There are other minor differences arising from estimated figures having been replaced by actual values. In a number of cases, the utilities provide us with consumption figures quite late, and we therefore initially work on the basis of estimates.

Our primary sources for emission factors are the Defra, TREMOVE and GEMIS databases and, in the case of modelled emissions, an economic input-output model.

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: see Independent Assurance Report PDF (63KB)