METRO Cash & Carry opens first wholesale store in Penza

Penza, October 8, 2008 – Today, METRO Cash & Carry, the international leader in self-service wholesale, opened its first store in Penza. On a total sales floor of about 7,500 square meters the company exclusively caters for professional customers like hotels, restaurants as well as small and medium sized retailers. The METRO Cash & Carry Management Board as well as authorities from the Penza region and the city took part in the opening ceremony.

“The Penza region shows one of the most rapidly growing economies not only in Volga region but in entire Russia, a highly developed level of small and medium scaled enterprises what means a huge potential for our wholesale business,” said Akin Bayer, Managing Director of METRO Cash & Carry Russia. “We are convinced that our investment in the first METRO Cash & Carry store in Penza will have a positive impact on the future development of the city and the region as a whole.”

By expanding its presence in the Volga Federal District, the self-service wholesaler is continuing its successful strategy based on a close cooperation with local agricultural producers and suppliers. A Major share of the goods on the shelves is sourced from local suppliers and producers. Suppliers will gain the opportunity to sell their products on regional, national or even international level. This gives a significant boost to the local economy. Moreover, METRO Cash & Carry creates 250 new jobs in Penza, acts as major and reliable tax payer and is considering getting involved in several CSR projects within the city.

“Our presence in Penza means an additional investment into the economy of the city and will enhance the development of small and medium sized enterprises”, said Akin Bayer. “We expect that our coming to Penza will be a good example for foreign and Russian investors interested to work here.”

The new METRO Cash & Carry outlet offers its professional customers everything they need under one roof. The high quality assortment comprises a wide variety of 25,000 food and non-food products, sold at competitive prices. By this means, the company helps its customers to render their buying process more efficiently and to save money as well as time.

Main characteristics of the Penza store:

• Investment – on average a new METRO Cash & Carry store is an investment of about € 20 million;

• Gross floor area – 12,000 m

• Sales area – 7,500 m

• 450 parking places

• Assortment (food and nonfood) – 25 000 articles;

• 250 new jobs