Metro opens 80th China store

Metro Cash & Carry set a new milestone in China this week, opening its 80th store in China.

The new outlet, in Weifang, Shandong Province, is also the retailer’s first to feature carbon dioxide refrigeration technology, part of a commitment to sustainability.

Covering a sales area of over 5400 sqm, the store offers more than 18,100 SKUs.

“The opening of Weifang store marks a major milestone in Metro’s commitment to the China market. We’re aiming to be a champion for independent business and we are very glad the store enables us to serve local businesses,” said Jeroen de Groot, president of Metro China.

“Meanwhile we also place great value on protecting the environment as we continue to develop our network in China. Sustainability is one of our guiding principles. We ensure that our business decisions take economic, ecological and social considerations into account and believe at Metro we not only create value for shareholders, but also have a positive impact on the environment and society.”

The Weifang store is Metro’s sixth store in Shandong province, following Yantai, Qingdao, Huangdao (a district in Qingdao), Zibo and Linyi. Benefiting from the booming economy of the Shandong Peninsula, which is ranked fourth in China, Weifang has become one of the major engines for economic growth in the province. The rapid development of the industries in Weifang, including marine chemistry, power machinery, food processing, textiles and garments, has stimulated demand for modern trade services in the local market.

Metro China says its point of difference is providing one-stop purchasing solutions, based on a high-quality assortment, competitive wholesale prices and professional service.

Meanwhile, Metro says the move to carbon dioxide refrigeration is both cost-effective and environmentally-friendly.

“Carbon dioxide is considered safer than other refrigerants, as it does not deplete ozone and yields much lower greenhouse gas emissions. Compared with traditional methods, this efficient refrigeration technology can reduce energy consumption by as much as 20 per cent, lowering operational costs. For stores with high refrigeration demands, carbon dioxide refrigeration technology is an eco-friendly solution,” the company said in a statement.

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