Social Contract
METRO Cash & Carry’s commitment to Pakistan is also echoed in its donations to the President’s Earthquake Relief Fund.
The company donated €100 000 in January 2006 towards President's Earthquake Relief Fund. It also has plans to fund development activities in the country in association with the German Investment and Development Company. Such activities have successfully been carried out in other countries. A recent example in Vietnam and a similar program for fishermen and sheep farmers in India where more than 900 fishing crew and 18,500 sheep farmers were trained about the best practices.
Market Demographics:
The profile for Metro customers consists of the following geographic, demographic,
and behavior factors:
Geographics:
Metro divides the market on the geographic bases in which Metro divides market in nation status, regions and neighborhood, e.g; Metro provided a lot of necessities of life.
1-Urban area:
Urban area consist of 60% of Metro market because rural living people are very conscious about their buying pattern, and always seeking good quality such as Lahore city.
2-Total Lahore:
Total Lahore area consists of 40% of Metro market share in Pakistan.
Supply Chain Goal:
The goal of Supply Chain at METRO is to efficiently handle thousands of orders, shipments and deliveries and ensure that goods arrive at the right place at the right time.
Supply Chain Management plays an important role in our high-performance logistics system and enhances our capacity to supply food and non-food products on a daily basis with consistent high quality, diversity and freshness.
Cold Chain Management:
The distribution of products that are temperature-sensitive is a huge challenge. Quality and freshness can only be assured if the goods are constantly kept under a temperature controlled environment, right from the time they leave the producer till they reach the customer.
At METRO Cash & Carry Pakistan, the warehousing and transport for frozen and chilled products is ensured at a constant temperature (in minus or plus degrees), according to product requirement. Temperature monitoring is done manually and by computerized mechanisms, both during transportation truck and in cold storage.
A) Fruits & Vegetables:
For the first time in Pakistan, METRO Cash & Carry offers a platform for Fruit & Vegetables equipped with modern accessories for product processing. This ensures hygienic, temperature-controlled, clean and packed fruit and vegetables as per international standards of Hazard Analysis of Critical Control Points (HACCP).
B) Live Fish:
METRO Cash & Carry Pakistan offers live fish at Metro centers. Now you can choose live fish of your choice and enjoy the taste of freshness.
1. Fresh
The Fresh department comprises fresh meat, fish, fruit and vegetables and dairy section. Special care is taken in handling, storage and maintaining freshness of products throughout their shelf life. Freshness of food products is checked on a daily basis to make sure that no product is left on the shelf that does not fulfill standard requirements of quality and freshness.
Ultra fresh products such as meat, fish, fruits and vegetables require special attention because of their delicacy and sensitivity. These products are presented with guaranteed freshness while maintaining the natural texture and flavor of the products through strict inspections and controlled temperatures. These products are sourced from very carefully selected suppliers who are totally committed to quality and hygiene and who have demonstrated their strength to fulfill Metro’s requirements for quality, temperature control, process control and goods manufacturing and hygienic practices. Slaughter houses and processing units are regularly audited by our Quality Assurance department.
Metro Cash & Carry Pakistan has the highest concern for the health of customers and considers it a social, ethical and moral obligation to make available the best of Nature’s products.
2. Dry Food
The Dry Food department comprises edible grocery, canned goods, beverages, sweets, confectionery, as well as detergents and toiletries.
Special attention is given to the storage of high quality grocery items such as rice, pulses, lentils, spices, etc., to maintain their colour, texture, and aroma. A separate area has been designated for spices and nuts for the ease and comfort of customers.
Imported canned goods containing meat and derivatives are very vigilantly selected, keeping in view that imported meat products are purchased only from Halal-certified companies audited by the recognized Halal certification bodies of their respective countries. We also maintain a list of Recognized Halal Certification Bodies of different countries and ask the supplier to send us a copy of their Halal certificate for verification.
Our In-store bakery is one of its kind. All recipes, cooking temperatures and time are pre-defined. Proper preparation control is done through fully mechanized plants. The hygiene and sanitation standards are fully complied too and our staff is trained to fulfill such requirements.
3. Hygiene & Sanitation
We are extra cautious about the hygiene and sanitation conditions to be ensured by our suppliers especially for fresh food items.
Not only that we ask our suppliers to follow the quality standards, we also apply strict hygiene and sanitation requirements in the day-to-day operations of our stores.
We only buy products that are hygienically prepared and properly handled at source by suppliers. We ensure that sanitation measures are a key part of their production and processing procedures.
4. Cold Chain
A cold chain is a temperature-controlled supply chain. Correct temperature controls are imperative to keep fresh food products in their original form till their shelf life.
Therefore, maximum importance is given to the cold chain to ensure that our fresh products such as meat, fish, fruits, vegetables and dairy items, are produced, handled and transported to our stores through the cold chain and proper records of temperatures are verified by recording the internal temperature of the products at the time they are received.
For this purpose all vehicles supplying fresh products to Metro Stores are fitted with temperature loggers that automatically keep a record of vehicle temperatures at certain time intervals throughout the journey. This is verified by the Metro Quality Assurance & Operations staff.
Inside the Metro centre, the cold storages and selling areas are well-equipped to maintain the temperatures as required by each fresh product.
HACCP
HACCP stands for Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point. HACCP is a pro-active process control system by which food quality is ensured. This system has been adopted by all Metro stores around the world and is mandatory for all Metro stores to establish their food hygiene systems based on HACCP principles and be certified from an accredited and reputed certification body.
The HACCP process consists of seven principles:
1. Hazard Analysis
2. Identifying Critical Control Points (CCP)
3. Establishing Critical Limits for each CCP
4. Monitoring CCP requirements and using the data gathered to effectively control processes
5. Corrective Action
6. Record keeping
7. Verification.
The process starts with the identification and documentation of potential hazards. The range of hazards could include safety hazards such as toxins, contamination, foreign bodies, decomposition, microbiological and non-safety hazards such as product quality, product substitution, etc. The next step is to identify "critical control points" in the production process and establish critical limits. The key is to separate the important control issues from those that have no real impact. CCP's are those where the failure of the process would cause or contribute to the occurrence of a hazard. Critical Limits are then established for each CCP. These limits may be determined by Government regulation and are used to establish that the HACCP system is working correctly.
Market Needs:
Metro is providing its customers with a wide selection of high-quality and pleasing in presentation, offer a wide selection of health conscious choices, and utilizes top ingredients. Metro seeks to fulfill the following benefits that are important to their customers.
Selection
A wide choice of daily necessities.
Accessibility
The customer can gain access to the Metro.
Customer service
The patron will be impressed with the level of attention that they receive.
Competitive pricing
All products/services will be competitively. Priced relative to compare the other competitors.
Product range
Each store is tailored to address the needs of professional customers. We offer a wholesale price that leaves the customer room for healthy margins and provide a one-stop-shop for the customer.
In the food range, freshness is our first priority. This is guaranteed by the efficient supply-chain and quality control management we have in-place.
In non-food, we offer only products that are up-to-date in terms of technology and design, and meet all safety standards.
For more details on the product range we offer at our centers click on the links below:
>
>
>
METRO caters to the needs of modern business by providing a wide range of office equipment and materials. These include: Computers, Accessories, Printers, Mobile phones, Fixed Line Phones, Faxes, School Products, Copy Paper, Packaging Materials, Office Supplies, POS material and Stationary. All major brands are available under one roof, such as HP, Samsung, LG, Motorola, Nokia, Aurora, Sigma, Max, Pelikan, Piano, Picasso, etc.
Media , Radio & Accessories
METRO offers all the famous brand names such as Samsung, Sony, LG, Philips, Olympus, Nikon, Yashica, Nobel, Fuji, etc. The product range includes TV sets, DVD Players, Home Theatre, Hi Fi, MP3/MP4 Players, Digital Camera, Camcorder, Game Consoles, Car Audio, Batteries and Chargers, Books, Journals, Magazines, Newspapers, Recorded, Unrecorded Media and Storage Media. METRO prides itself in bringing the latest technologies & innovations to its customers.
Home Electronics/House Hold
A wide range of Home Appliances such as washing machines, refrigerators, freezers, cookers, microwave ovens, air conditioners, built-in appliances, hand blenders, mixers, deep fryers, irons, vacuum cleaners and all small electric appliances. All leading brands such as LG, Samsung, Mitsubishi, Haier, Dawlance, PEL, Panasonic, Siemens, etc. are available at most reasonable prices.
Household Goods
The Household range includes products from pots and pans and chaffing dishes to commercial tableware and glasses for Hotels, Restaurants and Caterers. The selection includes brands in the following segments:
- Pots & Pans (Tefal, Sonex, Majestic, Prestige)
- Tableware (Luminarc, Clayworks)
- Glass (Pasabache, Bormioli Rocco, Toyonasic, Ocean)
- Cutlery & Cutting Tools (Cocktail, Kiwi)
- Kitchen Utensils & Serving Articles (Fackleman).
- The range also include decoration products (Walther Glass),
- Candles
- Cleaning items.
Home Improvement/DIY (Do it Yourself)
The Do It Yourself (DIY) department caters to all home improvement needs under one roof with strong competitive prices in both local & international brands. Categories available:
- Lamp fixtures, lamps & bulbs (OSRAM, PHILIPS)
- Electrical items (BUSH) Bathroom & Sanitary (Faisal & ICL)
- Flooring (Krono Flooring)
- Paints and painting accessories (ICI,Master Paints)
- General use and specialized hand tools (Stanley)
- Power tools (BOSCH, Black & Decker)
- Generators (Honda) and operating equipment.
DIY also offers a wide range of car interior and exterior equipment, car care solutions (MOTHERS, COSMIC) and good quality tyres at low rates (GOODYEAR, NEXEN).
Home Textile/Home Decoration
METRO offers a comprehensive array of Bed Linen, Towel, Quilts, Cushions, Blanket, Table cloth, Carpets, Mattress and Office Furniture to suit domestic and commercial needs
Ladies wear/Men’s wear/Children’s wear/Shoes/Luggage
The Apparels Division at METRO offers a wide variety of brands and high quality products at wholesale prices. The Ladies wear category offers both Eastern and Western wear. Men’s wear offers top brands such as Wrangler, Bonanza, Leeds, etc. for formal and casual wear. The Children’s wear section offers Skids and Colors and a modern collection of shoes under such brands as Servis, Bata, Starlet. The luggage category besides American Tourister, Eminent and Lambertazzi (a METRO brand) are available.
Sports & Seasonal
This section offers high quality Gym Accessories, Motorcycles, Sports Apparel, Swimwear and Sports Shoes. There is a complete collection of top brands is available at compatible prices, such as Puma, Servis, Cheetha, and Ihsan Sports, besides Pak Hero motorcycles. The section also offers a complete range of imported Garden Furniture and Accessories, Lawnmowers, Camping, Water Sports, BBQ, Decoration Items, Artificial Flowers and Planting Pots. Additionally, some leading brands that are available include Barbie, Disney, Fisher Price, Hot Wheel and Leapfrog
Core Market Entry Strategy
METRO Cash & Carry examines potential market entries with great care. Before setting foot in a new country, an intensive advance assessment is carried out. Should this scoring yield positive results, it is then followed by a comprehensive feasibility study. This includes thorough on-site research along with an assessment of all modalities involved in doing business at the proposed location. A team of specialists analyzes all aspects relevant to operations, such as purchasing, sales and marketing, laws, human resources and logistics. The decisions on market entry and on the actual location, type and size of the planned outlets are based on the results of this study.
Local staff a priority
The objective is to staff a new store as quickly as possible with local employees, and to qualify them in the company’s own intensive training programs. The people who call the region home have the advantage of knowing the professional customers. They are able to perfectly adapt the service offering to the national or regional culture. By hiring local staff, from salespeople to managers, the company also contributes to the country’s job market. In many nations, METRO Cash & Carry has grown to become one of the largest private employers within just a few years.
Corporate VMS
Metro has their baking products range which is produce inside by metro.
Disintermediation.
Metro has contracts with large producers or directly with producers, that’s why it reduces middlemen and its commission which help them to lower its cost.
For example, Metro has given shlf space to Pepsi and Coke, these companies have there staff in Metro which maintain inventory level and whole layout of stock.
Requirements for Suppliers
Metro applies strict Quality Assurance controls over its suppliers of fresh food products which include meat and meat products, fish and fish products, fruits, vegetables and their products like salads and packaged food.
The suppliers of meat, fish and their products are required to assure Quality Assurance department of Metro that they are fulfilling basic requirements of hygiene, sanitation and Good Manufacturing Practices. QA department pay surprise and regular visits to slaughter house(s) and processing unit(s) of fish to check their operations. In case of any nonconformity, the QA department may reject the whole lot ensuring that only the healthy and hygiene products find their place in the Metro stores. QA department has also engaged third party inspection bodies to check the operations of meat and fish suppliers and submit report to QA department for follow up.
Suppliers also have to ensure that they shall abide by all temperature control protocols as defined by Metro, not only during production but also during transportation to Metro stores.
QA department has also engaged recognized and highly reputable testing laboratories for testing the food products and samples are collected regularly from the production as well as from the Metro stores and are tested to check whether they are “fit for consumption”.
Suppliers of Metro have to implement the HACCP requirements in their whole production process and Metro encourages those potential suppliers who are HACCP certified and maintain their systems ethically and professionally.
SWOT Analysis :
The following SWOT analysis captures the key
strengths and weaknesses within the company,
and describes the opportunities and threats
facing Metro.
Strengths :
Strong relationships with vendors that offer
high-quality ingredients and fast/frequent delivery
schedules. Excellent staff who are highly trained
and very customer attentive. Great retail space
that is bright, hip, clean, and located in an upscale
mail, suburban neighborhood, or urban retail district.
high customer loyalty among repeat customers.
High- quality food offerings that exceed competitors
offerings in quality, presentation, and price.
Weaknesses :
A limited marketing budget to develop brand
awareness. The struggle to continually appear
to be cutting edge.
Opportunities :
Growing market with a significant percentage
of the target market still not aware about Metro
Increasing sales opportunities in take out
business. The ability to spread overhead over
multiple revenue centers. Mertro will be
able to spread the management overhead costs
among the multiple stores, decreasing the fixed
costs per store.
Threats :
Competition from local areas that responds to
superior offerings. Metro chain found in
other markets coming to Pakistan.
A slump in the economy reducing customers
disposable income spent on eating out.
Conclusion
This project has given us a exposure and inside view of metro Pakistan. We had a great experience as we come to know how to apply things in business environment and for that we are thankful to our teacher. We have understood the distribution phase and different elements of distribution of Metro Pakistan. Metro eliminate the intermediaries and buy direct from produce and this give him cost leadership by offering low prices. It has international presence, as it buy abundant quantity from one country and sale it out in a country where it is short at higher prices which contribute a large chunk into its profit.
Bibliography
http://www.metro.pk/servlet/PB/menu/-1_l2/index.html
Mr. Najam
Marketing Sales Manager
METRO Cash & Carry Pakistan (Pvt.) Ltd.
Thokar Niaz Baig, Multan Road
Lahore 53700
Pakistan
