Metro Group announces results for the first three quarters

Metro‘s Media Markt and Saturn consumer and home electronics stores recorded sales of Euro 13.2 billion (US-$ 19.5 billion) during the first nine months of 2009, a plus of 3.7 percent year-on-year and an increase by 5.8 percent in local currencies. During the third quarter 2009, sales went up by 5.2 percent year-on-year and 7.4 percent in local currencies. Like-for-like sales in the period rose by 1.0 percent. Despite high marketing expenses particularly during the first quarter 2009, the operating result (EBIT) of Media Markt and Saturn amounted to Euro 247 million (US-$ 364.8 million), compared with Euro 253 million (US-$ 373.6 million) during the first months of 2008.

Continuing its international expansion, Metro Cash & Carry opened its 50. wholesale store in Russia and its first store in Kazakhstan in October; the company also celebrated the ground-breaking ceremony for its first store in Egypt, which is scheduled to open next year. Media Markt and Saturn opened their 800th overall store in Greece and Saturn opened it first store in Turkey in October. In total, Metro Group opened 44 new stores during the first nine months of 2009 and plans to increase its international presence by more than 30 stores during the last quarter, with investments focusing on the growth regions Eastern Europe and Asia.