Edeka and Rewe are possible bidders for Metro's Extra

Metro is already in negotiations with potential bidders for its Extra supermarket chain including Edeka and Rewe. Metro's Extra supermarkets are mainly in the north and west of Germany as well as Berlin. Many analysts see Metro's potential disposal of Extra as one of the key items to a much-needed restructuring of the retail giant. Metro declined to comment on the report, but according to the most recent statement from the company, it is looking into all options for the supermarket chain.

The Metro Group continued on its successful growth path in the Q3 2007. Compared to the prior year, the company increased sales by 10.8% to € 15.7 billion. Excluding the acquisitions of Wal-Mart Germany and Géant in Poland, sales went up by 7.1%. During the period from January to September 2007, Metro Group generated € 46.0 billion in sales.

“In view of the good business trend during the first nine months we are raising our sales forecast to now over 9%," said Thomas Unger, Chief Financial Officer of the Metro Group. “The growth driver continues to be our international business.“ Here, sales climbed 13.6% to € 9.2 billion during the Third Quarter. Excluding the acquisition of Géant in Poland international sales rose by 11.9%.

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