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In this episode of the MORE Podcast, I speak with Jean-Sebastien Blum, Vice President of Global Food Procurement at METRO, about the COMET transformation project and the future of food sourcing. Together, we explore why METRO wants to consolidate its buying power more effectively in the future and what role common sourcing plays in this effort. Jean-Sebastien explains COMET’s goals, the planned changes to the operating model, and the benefits of a data-driven approach to procurement and assortment planning. We also discuss how global standards can be reconciled with local customer needs. If you want to understand how COMET is intended to change collaboration between countries and how the project contributes to the sCore strategy, this episode offers comprehensive insights.

In this episode of the MORE Podcast, I speak to Michael Poggenpohl, CEO of RUNGIS Express GmbH, about the development of METRO’s food service distribution specialist company. The focus is on the business model, the clear premium positioning and the specific characteristics of the customer base in the HoReCa sector. Michael explains how RUNGIS operates as a niche provider and sets itself apart in the market. A key aspect is the company’s transformation: from reducing complexity in its product range, through infrastructure investments, to cultural development. At the same time, it becomes clear what role the collaboration with METRO and the sCore strategy play. Particular emphasis is placed on the importance of customer relationships, which are the key driver of sustainable growth for RUNGIS in the FSD business.

METRO generates more than €2 billion in annual sales with non-food products. But there is far more to pots, pans and crockery than just a complementary product range. Through its ‘Stellar’ transformation project, METRO is specifically developing this area into a growth driver for its sCore strategy. In this episode, I speak with Alexis Maudelonde, Senior Vice President Global Non-food at METRO, about the reorientation of METRO's non-food business. He explains how a centrally managed assortment, common sourcing and a clear end-to-end approach ensure greater efficiency and better availability, and how Supply Chain and Sales are being more closely integrated. Finally, things get personal. Alexis shares his Sound Souvenir with us, which reflects his passion for gastronomy and shows what non-food really means at METRO.

In this episode, I speak with Jerome Briens, our SVP Global Procurement Ultra-Fresh and Head of the METRO Trading Offices. Our conversation is one of the best examples of how strategic topics become tangible as soon as someone talks about them who lives and breathes them every day. Jerome explains why Ultra-Fresh is more than just a category for METRO and MAKRO, and how we use strong assortments to increase footfall in our stores and the loyalty of our professional customers. You’ll also learn how our sales challenges with METRO, Chef Veal and Avocado Pulp work, and what role quick, on-the-spot offers play in generating additional sales. It also becomes clear just how closely Procurement, Category Management, Trading Offices, and Sales teams work together to ensure that the Year of Ultra-Fresh strengthens our business and supports the goals of our sCore strategy. Like every guest, Jerome has brought his own personal Sound Souvenir for us. It’s a sound that immediately tells him, every time he visits a store, whether METRO is relevant to its customers. You’ll find out exactly what’s behind it at the end of this episode.

If you are looking for a compact overview of what our sCore strategy is all about and why it is still going strong four years after its launch, then this episode of MORE Podcast is just right for you. My guest is Peter Engberding, Vice President Strategy at METRO AG, one of the people who helped develop and implement sCore throughout the company from day one. During our discussion, you will see that sCore is much more than just a strategy paper – it is a real driver of our transformation. Peter explains why our focus is stronger than ever, why METRO is adopting a growth mindset and why understanding our customers' buying habits is so important. We talk about the core of our wholesale model, the challenge of achieving group-wide standardisation and why efficiency surpasses all other KPIs. And, of course, there's our Sound Souvenir again. Just a little hint: it's one of the quietest we've ever had on the podcast, but one that fits surprisingly well with sCore. So, put on your headphones, grab a coffee, and enjoy an episode that provides a clearer insight into sCore than any Powerpoint presentation. Enjoy listening!

Ultra-Fresh is more than just a category; it is a key growth driver for METRO. In this episode of MORE Podcast, I talk to Heiko Peuthert, Vice President Sales Excellence at METRO AG, about why Ultra-Fresh is so important for customer loyalty, sales growth and METRO's goal of becoming the best partner for HoReCa customers. Heiko explains why owning the centre of the plate is important for success, how sales excellence and the right attitude make all the difference in customer conversations, and why Ultra-Fresh only works when cross-functional teams truly work together as ONE METRO. The episode also highlights specific success factors from the ‘Year of Ultra-Fresh’ so far – from sales activation and incentives to the power of active listening to customers and colleagues. An open conversation about growth, trust and doing business with people – and why Ultra-Fresh opens the door for us to do more business with our customers.

This episode gives you a comprehensive overview of the recent Leadership Summit. Over three days, more than 300 executives came together at the METRO Campus in Düsseldorf to focus on a clear goal: turning strategies into measurable results. In this special edition of MORE Podcast, I guide you through the most important updates from our Management Board: from Steffen Greubel's five strategic principles that will guide us through the year, to Eric Rieggers' financial outlook and our growth targets, to Christiane Giesen's and Guillaume Deruyter's operational priorities. These range from profitability in delivery and the turnaround in the cash & carry business to tapping into the digital potential through METRO MARKETS. If you are looking for a concise summary of the key points from the Leadership Summit 2025, you can find everything here first-hand.

In this episode, I talk to Olaf Maecker, Vice President of AI & Automation at METRO.digital, about how artificial intelligence is evolving from a buzzword to a real business lever at METRO. Olaf explains how applications such as the Intelligent Sales Assistant support the Sales Force, how AI accelerates content production, and where new use cases are emerging in Procurement, Marketing, and Logistics. He shows how the AI Factory is creating a platform and organisation that makes AI solutions scalable – and why success depends not only on technology, but also on AI culture. A special highlight: Olaf is confronted with three surprising questions – not from me, but from the AI itself. In this unique section The AI asks Olaf a synthetic voice challenges him on topics such as ethics, data and the balance between people and AI. And as always, there is a personal Sound Souvenir at the end.

In the second part of our double episode of our MORE Podcast, I talk to Matthias Bühler, METRO's Customer & Sales Officer, about the introduction of the Target Operating Model (TOM) and the advantages of merging business and IT. He believes that real transformation can only be achieved through collaboration between people. We also explore how a standardised CRM tool could improve processes in the sales organisation and which routine tasks could be taken over by AI in the future.

For many restaurateurs and traders, METRO is a reliable partner for a successful business. The basis for a sustainably profitable relationship for both sides is fair prices and mutual benefits. In the first episode of our two-part series with Matthias Bühler, Customer & Sales Officer at METRO, you will learn how we standardise our pricing processes and achieve true price leadership with data-driven analysis. Matthias also explains how we ensure profitability ‘by design’ with individual partnership agreements with our customers.

“Sorry, no card payments accepted!” That's a sign that no restaurant guest is ever happy to see. In this episode, we reveal how the stress of paying with cash when visiting a restaurant could finally come to an end. In my very insightful conversation with Volker Gläser, CEO of METRO subsidiary DISH Digital Solutions, we discuss, among other things, the new DISH Pay Now. The mobile card reader offers restaurant guests and, above all, restaurateurs and traders a simple and cost-efficient solution for cashless payments. How digital innovations are revolutionising the restaurant industry and making it fit for the future, you will hear in this new and 100 percent analogue-free episode of MORE Podcast - Wholesale to the Max!

The METRO's highway to growth is called Food Service Distribution (FSD). In the past financial year, we have already stepped on the gas here and increased our delivery sales to almost €8 billion – that is already more than a quarter of METRO's total sales. But what is behind this success? In addition to METRO's own delivery service, specialised delivery services play a decisive role. These culinary experts serve specific customer segments – from fine dining to large-scale gastronomy – and are also on a growth path. In our new episode of our MORE Podcast, I talk to Julius Osthues, Vice President FSD Portfolio Management at METRO AG, and we take a closer look at these ‘specialists’ and their role in METRO's FSD strategy. What makes them so special? How do they differ? And what can each learn from the other? You can only find out here in the MORE Podcast!

METRO has declared 2025 the 'Year of Own Brand'. Everyone in the company is now called upon to activate their superpowers to further increase the sales share of METRO Chef, Aro, Sigma and Co. Want to know what it takes? Then follow me into the world of METRO's own brands in our latest episode of MORE Podcast. Together with Jens Bresler, responsible for own brand management at METRO since 2022, we will give you an understanding of our own brand strategy to achieve our sCore goals. Jens reveals how they not only help to differentiate the company, but also strengthen customer loyalty. He also gives us an exciting insight into the 'Year of Own Brand' campaign. And to wrap it up, Jens presents us with his Sound Souvenir, which activates his own extra powers. An episode like a superhero comic, full of great insights that you don't want to miss!

Welcome back to MORE Podcast! After a short break, we are back with a very special episode: We take you to the METRO Leadership Summit 2024, where our top leaders discussed the current status and latest developments of our sCore strategy. Experience our CEO Steffen Greubel reflecting on the past financial year and launching the ‘Year of the Own Brand’. Hear CFO Eric Riegger speak about our ambitious growth targets and the cost leadership that is needed to achieve them. And be inspired by COO Christiane Giesen and CCMO Guillaume Deruyter, who emphasise the importance of collaboration and team spirit and present the key priorities for the further implementation of sCore. Look forward to exciting insights, inspiring messages and, last but not least, my personal Sound Souvenir!

Welcome back to MORE Podcast – Wholesale to the Max, the podcast where you can find out everything you need to know about the implementation of our sCore strategy. I'm really excited to be talking about our growth strategy again soon with our great colleagues – from both a professional and personal perspective. New episodes will be dropping from mid-January, so make sure you're subscribed for exclusive insights from the latest Leadership Summit, updates on the 'Year of Own Brand', and many more interesting sCore topics. Stay tuned for the next episodes and I'm really looking forward to getting started with you again!