Following the successful acceleration of sales growth, the focus is now increasingly on productivity and profitability. The wholesaler has already made progress in both areas while maintaining a strong emphasis on sustainable growth. Customer focus, efficiency, and a refined assortment strategy are clearly reflected in the financial results for the financial year 2024/25, providing METRO with a strong foundation for the year ahead.
After nearly four years of consistent implementation of the sCore multichannel wholesale strategy, METRO reports a positive outcome: Despite ongoing challenging geopolitical conditions and cost inflation, the company once again achieved inflation-adjusted sales growth. Excluding Germany, METRO managed to grow across all channels and regions on a currency- and portfolio-adjusted basis, further strengthening its market position. With 5.8% sales growth (currency- and portfolio-adjusted), the company reached the upper half of its outlook range in the past financial year, reported total sales rose by 4.6% to €32.4 billion. Adjusted EBITDA expectations were slightly exceeded, with adjusted EBITDA increasing by €112 million (currency adjusted) to €1,192 million (currency and portfolio-adjusted +€111 million). Following the successful acceleration of sales growth, the focus is now shifting more strongly towards productivity and profitability. Progress has already been made in both areas, without losing sight of sustainable growth.
Dr Steffen Greubel, CEO of METRO AG: "METRO is now more focused, efficient, and clearly positioned than ever before. The combination of stores, delivery, online marketplace, and digital service offerings creates an ecosystem that holistically meets customer needs in a growing, fragmented market. Our multichannel business model demonstrates what the future of wholesale looks like, and with our clear direction, we continued our sales growth in the past financial year. Our operational EBITDA has also risen significantly, paving the way for further growth investments. We are addressing the right priorities, and at the top of our list for all initiatives is always one thing: customer satisfaction."
sCore KPIs make transformation success measurable
All METRO sales channels were able to increase their sales in the 2024/25 financial year. The store-based business in the METRO wholesale stores grew by 3% (€739 million), driven in part by the "Buy More Pay Less" tiered pricing and the extensive range of ultra-fresh products. The delivery business grew by 14% (€1.1 billion), making it the clear growth driver of METRO's multichannel model. Online sales also increased by 19% (€57 million), primarily due to the growing sales on the B2B online marketplace METRO Markets. The strategic sCore success indicators showed significant progress in the financial year 2024/25, with an unprecedented focus on wholesale, delivery, and digital. Sales from strategic customers accounted for 77%, stock availability reached 97%, and METRO increased the share of own-brand sales to 26%, thanks to the "Year of Own Brand" initiative. The share of FSD (Food Service Distribution) sales rose to 28% of total annual sales (compared to 17% before the sCore implementation), while the share of digital revenue increased to 16% (compared to 6% before the sCore implementation).
Milestones demonstrate success – clear focus for 2025/26
METRO achieved significant milestones and created sustainable growth in the past financial year. Since 2022, total sales, adjusted for portfolio and currency effects, has increased from €22 billion to €32 billion. Sales from ultra-fresh products, which are particularly targeted at the HoReCa customer segment, rose significantly from €5 billion in FY 2021 to €8 billion in FY 2025. Dr Steffen Greubel stated: "We are pleased with the progress we have made. Our figures, the quality of our organisation, and the satisfaction of our customers show that we took the right path in 2022 and have been consistently working towards our goals ever since. The efforts have paid off. However, we are not resting on our laurels and have set ambitious goals for the coming financial year. For example, in the 'Year of Ultra Fresh', we aim to achieve an additional €1 billion in sales in this crucial area for our customers."
In addition to initiatives in the ultra-fresh segment and further expansion of the delivery business through network optimisations, the transformation of the business in Germany remains a key focus.
Outlook
The Management Board anticipates for the 2025/26 financial year an overall sales growth of 3% to 6% (adjusted for currency and portfolio effects; 2024/25: 6%, absolute sales €32 billion). Furthermore, it expects an increase in adjusted EBITDA sales of €50 to €150 million compared to the 2024/25 financial year (comparison base from 2024/25: €1,192 million). The sales growth driven by sCore generally contributes to EBITDA growth. Additionally, cost efficiency measures are expected to result in further savings.
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