METRO AG consolidates its position as industry leader in Dow Jones Sustainability Index

The internationally renowned Dow Jones Sustainability Index annually evaluates the sustainability work of market-listed companies worldwide. The ranking is undertaken by RobecoSAM, one of the leading rating agencies in the area of sustainability. The index only includes the companies with the strongest ecological, social and economic performance within their industries. In 2018, METRO AG was once again distinguished as the best in its sector, both in the internationally prominent Dow Jones Sustainability World Index and in the Dow Jones Sustainability Europe Index. Just 6 of the 43 evaluated food traders managed to qualify for the DJSI World.

"Our customers and partners, investors and society expect our focus on sustainable action. With our vision and strong conviction for sustainable action, we want to live up to this mission every day and at the same time attract future employees already today", commented Heiko Hutmacher, Member of the Management Board of METRO AG and responsible for sustainability, on the results of the current sustainability rating. "The fact that we are leading the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for the fourth time in a row is a great confirmation of our efforts in the field of sustainability and we are extremely pleased about that. At the same time, we are aware that such a success is an obligation - not to let up, always to set new standards and not to be satisfied with the status quo", continues Hutmacher. The area of human resources development, with its pillar Talent Attraction & Retention, is one of the great strengths of the wholesaler. METRO also scored high in the categories Environmental and Social Reporting, Human Rights and Water Risks in Supply Chain.

The Sustainability Index was launched jointly by RobecoSAM and Dow Jones Indexes in 1999. In 2014, the then METRO GROUP ascended to one of the leading places in both the World and Europe indexes in the category Food & Staples Retailing. Three times in succession, from 2015 to 2017, METRO was awarded by RobecoSAM as the best in its industry. The current rating is METRO’s first since the demerger of METRO GROUP into the electronics business group Ceconomy and the independent wholesale and food specialist METRO AG.

METRO is a leading international specialist in wholesale and food retail. The company operates in 35 countries and employs more than 150,000 people worldwide. In financial year 2016/17, METRO generated sales of approximately €37 billion. The company provides custom solutions to meet the regional and international needs of its wholesale and retail customers. With its sales brands METRO/MAKRO Cash & Carry and Real as well as delivery services and digitisation initiatives, METRO sets the standards for tomorrow: for customer focus, digital solutions and sustainable business models.