
Reactions from the countries to the change in purchasing behaviour
Worldwide, product availability became an existential customer need that was placed at the centre of all procurement and supply chain processes within the local and central METRO units – and this remains the case. The different METRO countries took different approaches to meet in-store customers where they were and offer the appropriate products.

Traders – a trusted purchasing source
For METRO, this meant supplying the Traders with an appropriate range and helping to meet the demand. They now required the relevant products not only more frequently, but also in larger quantities. This led to a solid increase in average spend per customer and ultimately to a positive development compared to other retailer-relevant categories.
Compared to the pre-Covid era, this development also included a general increase in Traders and professional SCO customers for METRO.
Working together for the customer
With its Global Business & Supplier Management, METRO was able to expand its range of hygiene articles, especially disinfectants, across locations and countries and make them available to customers. An important step, particularly in times when some places around the world are in total lockdown – helping to create a perspective, especially for the reopening of the HoReCa sector.
