Metro Group-owned Metro Cash & Carry in Russia is planning to launch an online store in the fourth quarter of 2012, according to Banner Director Peter Boon. The service is to be aimed at small offices with the product range mainly consisting of office and cleaning supplies, tea and coffee. In August, Metro will begin testing the IT solution for the e-commerce service and, if successful, will roll it out in Moscow. According to Boon, the name of the online store has not yet been established. In addition, Boon said that Metro will open a total of five to eight cash & carry outlets in 2012, including the three stores already opened in the first quarter of this year.

Furthermore, the company plans to introduce a separate delivery service in Russia at the end of this year. Metro Cash & Carry has delivered goods to customers since 2009 but, as a result of operational difficulties, Metro decided to create a company that only delivers fresh food to professional clients such as restaurants, hotels, cafés and shops. Initially, goods will be delivered from a rented warehouse by a fleet of 10-15 cars.

Metro Group is also going to open two franchised outlets in St Petersburg under the Fasol banner, Boon said. Metro Group opened its first Fasol store in Moscow in April 2012 and the company plans to launch 15 stores across St Petersburg and Rostov.

Source: Planet Retail