Metro France

Metro, a German cash & carry chain, launched its first store in France in 1971. The company belongs to Metro AG group. Currently, Metro France is the leading supplier of independent catering in France as well as 2nd largest chain in France’s cash & carry sector. The company offers over 200,000 references in the food and non-food categories.

Metro France serves around 800000 customers each year, including businesses in the HoReCa sector and independent retailers.

An online shop, created in 2017, is also present on the website. 

In 2020, Metro France signed a charter, “Made in France”, with 10 major federations of the French food sector. The aim of this charter is to promote French agricultural production in independent restaurants across the country. 

Additionally, in 2021, the business acquired a stake of 25% in the fish processing company, Filpromer. 

Metro France achieved a turnover of € 3.61 billion in 2020 and at present, 9000 people work for the business.

Various products are available in the following categories:

• Savory Grocery: pasta, snacks, sauces, oil, flour, spices, canned food, etc.
• Sweet Grocery: chocolate, candy, cookies, etc.
• Wine & Spirits: wine, champagne, spirits, etc.
• Drinks: water, soft drinks, juice, etc
• Dairy: cheese, eggs, cream, butter, etc.
• Chilled & Fresh Food: meat, poultry, charcuterie,etc.
• Frozen Food: vegetables, fruits, ice cream, fish, pastries, meat, ready-meals, etc.
• Personal Care: body care, hygiene, face care, hair care, etc.
• Household: cleaner, degreaser, bleach, etc.

Moreover, a range of organic and gluten-free items is also available. 

Amongst the services Metro France provides, it also offers renovations, innovations, inspirations as well as sustainable and digital developments for other businesses such as food hygiene, recipe development, kitchen renovation, customised website creation and maintenance. 

Brands like Haribo, Nestle, Charal, Florensuc, Elseve, etc, are endorsed by the company. 

Metro has also developed its own brands which target HoReCa professionals. These brands include (not limited to) :

• Metro Chef: a range of food items such as sauces, frozen vegetables, spices, couscous, cheese, chocolate, etc.
• Gilbert: a range of uices, industrial pastries, honey, etc.

Regarding the sourcing, Metro France collaborates with 4000 suppliers and a wide range of products from 1000 local and regional suppliers as a way to promote local specialties. The firm also partnered with 90 micro breweries.

Additionally, Metro France imports its products from Italy, USA, Germany, etc.

The chain ensures that all its products are of good quality and quality tests are often carried out by the business at different stages of the distribution chain in regards to food safety. 

In addition, Metro France is concerned about sustainability. The business has reduced its carbon footprint. Furthermore, unsold perishable products are donated to charities, hence reducing food waste. The firm aims to source most of its seafood from sustainable fishing businesses by 2025. Metro France opts for reusable and recyclable packaging, in order to reduce the use of plastic as much as possible.

Furthermore, in 2021, the company partnered with Boralex and signed a power purchase agreement under which, the latter will supply Metro France with solar power generated from the Grange du Causse solar power plant. 

Metro France’s online shop can be accessed on www.shop.metro.fr