SHANGHAI, Dec. 18, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- METRO China partners with Shequ001.com (SQ001), a pioneering e-commerce site specializing in community e-trader, to kick off a series of upgrades to the METRO e-commerce platform in the new fiscal year. E-commerce is one of the five key focus channels for METRO China, and the new partnership is a testimony to the wholesale's commitment to driving sales online.
"We are focusing on e-commerce as a key development platform for growth in the China market," said Mr. Jeroen de Groot, President of METRO China. "Customers are increasingly searching for an integrated purchasing experience that moves between online, offline and mobile, so we are launching new upgrades to meet the needs. As part of our agreement with SQ001, we will leverage its nationwide service network and integrate our own e-commerce channels to expand reach. We are confident that this new O2O business model will further increase our customer base in China."
Successful pilot phase concluding with full implementation
In July 2014, METRO China initiated a strategic pilot partnership with SQ001 to expand sales coverage. After a five-month trial period, the partnership reached 36 SQ001's promotional sites in residential communities covered in Beijing and Shanghai, offering more than 17,000 METRO products with the exception of ultra-fresh products. With SQ001's advanced e-commerce management system, the partnership provides METRO China's high-quality products to customers through quick and convenient ordering online, via Weibo or WeChat, by smart phone App, and at SQ001's promotional sites offline.
With 80 locations across 56 cities nationwide, METRO China has extensive reach in China. The partnership between METRO China and SQ001 will cover all METRO cities across China by 2015. In the future, both parties will explore further opportunities for collaboration, including establishing a seamless cold chain system to deliver ultra-fresh products, and building up and sharing of customer data.
A comprehensive service network built on synergy
Based on its in-depth understanding of small and medium-sized businesses, METRO China offers safe, high-quality, traceable products and professional services at competitive prices through its Own Brands and Star Farm traceability system. While the recently highly-acclaimed SQ001 targets residential communities with an integrated mobile platform, providing low-cost, high-efficiency delivery services. Through the strategic partnership, both parties will achieve synergy by expanding reach and achieving growth.
METRO China is the only wholesaler in China with all stores HACCP-certified. It will also train SQ001 delivery personnel to meet HACCP standards.
Delivering enhanced e-commerce services
In the 2014/15 fiscal year, METRO China will continue to upgrade its e-commerce platform, introducing mobile and social apps, aiming to provide integrated purchasing experience that seamlessly moves between online, offline and mobile, and nationwide service network composed by METRO physical stores.
About METRO GROUP
METRO GROUP is one of the largest and most important international retailing companies. In the financial year 2013/14 it generated sales of around EUR63 billion. The company operates around 2,200 stores in 31 countries and has a headcount of around 250,000 employees. The performance of METRO GROUP is based on the strength of its sales brands that operate independently in their respective market segments: METRO/MAKRO Cash & Carry - the international leader in self-service wholesale - Media Markt and Saturn - the European market leader in consumer electronics retailing - Real hypermarkets and Galeria Kaufhof department stores.
More information at: www.metrogroup.de
Profile of METRO China
In 1996, METRO Cash & Carry, the international leader in self-service wholesale, opened its first wholesale store in the international metropolis of Shanghai. The company was among the first to gain permission from the China Central Government to set up chain operations in all major cities in China. Over the last decade, the company has set its foot already in 56 cities with 80 outlets in operation in China. With a headcount of over 12,000 employees, the wholesaler is serving more than 3.8 million buying customers across the country.
More information at: www.metro.com.cn
