METRO GROUP refocused its strategy in 2011 to boost its competitiveness across all sales lines. Sales growth is our top priority. However, we are also boosting our performance strength by increasing our margins and improving our cost position and cash flow. To this end, we rigorously focus our entire Company on creating value for customers on the basis of five priorities.
cbi:///cms/225176Our customers' needs and expectations form the starting point for all our strategic considerations. Which product ranges do they need in their local store? Can we offer new services to attract additional onsumers or commercial customers? Which sales channels do we have to develop to meet our customers' increasing demands? Our answers to these questions determine the direction we take in repositioning our sales lines' business models.
cbi:///cms/225183Our second priority is growth in all business areas as measured in terms of two key parameters: sales per square metre of selling space and customer satisfaction. We are determined to make significant strides in both areas. We make targeted investments in new services and selective adjustments to our sales lines' price level to improve our response to consumers' and commercial customers' needs and remain competitive. Finally, we encourage productivity enhancements through incentive systems for employees.
cbi:///cms/225186A company's competitiveness depends as much on its process performance as on an attractive product and service offering. For this reason, we have to continually examine our processes. We have to identify and eliminate cost drivers or at least minimise their impact to achieve streamlined, effective organisational structures. In this way, we can improve our cost position and increase our cash flow, which, in turn, funds a large proportion of our investments.
cbi:///cms/225189Efficient processes and optimised cash flows represent the foundation for continued, stable sales growth outside our domestic market of Germany. Many countries in which
METRO GROUP is active offer excellent opportunities for enhancing our footprint. We grasp these opportunities by opening new stores in such countries as China, Russia and Turkey, as well as by enhancing our offerings in all other markets.
cbi:///cms/225191Creating added value for customers means responding to changing requirements early on – by ecognising technology and social trends, by identifying their potential relevance to our own business and by deriving specific solutions such as optimised processes or new sales concepts. The key lies in cultivating a structured dialogue with internal and external experts. This approach forms the foundation of our innovation management.
cbi:///cms/288743We have firmly anchored the principle of sustainability in our corporate strategy by aligning our economic objectives with ecological and social requirements. Hence our vision:
METRO GROUP. We offer quality of life. For our customers, for our employees, for all people who work for us and for society.
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