World history of MAKRO Metro

1964
The first METRO self-serve wholesale outlet opens in the city of Mülheim in the Ruhr area.

1968
The first step beyond German borders. A partnership with the Dutch company Steenkolen Handelsvereeniging leads to the establishment of MAKRO Zelfbedieningsgroothandel.

1970
The first MAKRO store in Belgium opens for business. At this time there are already 13 METRO Cash & Carry outlets in Germany.

1971
The company enters key Western European markets in the UK, France, Austria and Denmark.





1972
METRO Cash & Carry opens stores in Spain and Italy.

1984
After 20 years in business, METRO Cash & Carry already operates more than 100 self-service wholesale outlets across Europe.

1990
METRO Cash & Carry succeeds in markets in Turkey and Portugal.

1991
METRO Cash & Carry succeeds in making the jump to North Africa with its first store in Morocco.

1992
Following its Greek market entry, METRO Cash & Carry is present in the majority of EU member countries.

1994
Hungary and Poland open their markets. METRO Cash & Carry is one of the first international trade-sector companies to establish a foothold in Eastern Europe (Warszawa, Sosnowiec, Łódź).

1996
In a joint venture with the Jinjiang Group, METRO Cash & Carry is granted a nation-wide wholesale license for the emerging market of China. In the same year, the company enters Romania.

1997
METRO Cash & Carry maintains its focus on Eastern Europe, opening for business in the Czech Republic.

1999
METRO Cash & Carry opens an outlet in Bulgaria, adding a further Eastern European location to its corporate portfolio.

2000
The first store in Slovakia opens its doors.

2001
METRO Cash & Carry establishes a presence in Russia, with two stores. With the first store opening in Croatia the amrket entry is performed. At this stage, the company already operatores 15 outlets in China.

2002
Entering the Japanese and Vietnamese markets, the company continues to expand in Asia.

2003

METRO Cash & Carry opens its first wholesale stores in Ukraine and India.

2004

Market entry in Moldova. In 2004, stores are opened at more than 30 new locations, around three quarters of them in them in the growing markets of Asia and Eastern Europe.

2005

In Belgrade, Serbia's first METRO Cash & Carry outlet is inauguarated.

2006

METRO Cash & Carry announces upcoming market entry in Pakistan.