METRO sells its belgian operations

METRO aims to achieve the market position as a leading food wholesaler. Having undertaken an extensive review of the available options, METRO AG has decided to sell its Belgian operations MAKRO Cash & Carry Belgium N.V. (including METRO and MAKRO sales lines as well as METRO Delivery Service N.V.) to Bronze Properties S.à r.l.. The company is a portfolio investor that has teamed up with retail specialist and financing partner GA Europe. The transaction was signed and closed today. Both parties have agreed not to disclose the financial terms of the transaction.

MAKRO Cash & Carry Belgium N.V. has been operating since 1970 and today has 17 stores and approx. 2,000 employees. MAKRO caters to end consumers while METRO focuses on professional HoReCa customers. In addition, METRO Delivery Service operates the food service delivery business.

The divestment of the Belgian operations will result in approx. €150 million one-off transaction costs in Q3 2021/22 and an average recurring EBITDA uplift of approx. €20 million on group level. The real estate portfolio of 11 sites (without the Liege site which formed part of the transaction) will remain with METRO AG.

MAKRO Cash & Carry Belgium has faced significant pressures over a number of years and operates in a very competitive market which has resulted in declining sales and negative profitability. Through steady capital injections and investments in expansion and remodellings, in a relevant triple-digit million Euro amount, METRO has continuously provided financial assistance to the Belgian operations in order to improve performance. In the financial year 2020/21 the business achieved total sales of €646 million and adjusted EBITDA was negative.

“Within METRO’s sCore growth strategy that defines key areas of sustainable growth leading up to 2030, we have carefully and comprehensively evaluated the options available with respect to our Belgian operations. We have subsequently taken the decision to sell our Belgian operations to Bronze Properties S.à r.l.”, said Dr Steffen Greubel, CEO of METRO AG. “On behalf of our Management Board, I extend my sincere appreciation and thanks to our Belgian colleagues for their hard work and strong commitment in serving our customers over the past 50 years.”

METRO AG will offer certain transitional services and licenses as part of the transaction to enable the new owner to operate the business.

The transaction effects have no impact on the METRO outlook as they are treated as transformation costs resulting from a portfolio measure. METRO therefore confirms its sales and EBITDA adjusted outlook for FY 2021/22 (current year and prior year will not be adjusted for Belgium) and the midterm targets.