METRO Cash & Carry rolls out the second edition of ‘Own Business Day’ 2018

• Own Business Day is dedicated to celebrate the Small Independent Businesses in India and pay tribute to their ambition and efforts
• As a run-up to Own Business Day on 9th October, METRO has opened registrations for independent business owners to register for ‘special’ discounts to be passed on to end-consumers
• Own Business Day reinforces METRO’s commitment of Being ‘Champion for Independent Businesses’

Bangalore, 25th September 2018: METRO Cash & Carry, India’s largest modern wholesaler and food specialist announced the roll-out of the second edition of ‘Own Business Day’ 2018. As part of the celebration, ‘Own Business Day’ is scheduled on second Tuesday of October every year. The registrations have been opened for all independent businesses to participate. As a run-up to the Own Business Day, Kiranas, Traders, HoReCa (Hotels, Restaurants & Caterers) and other independent businesses can sign-up for ‘specials’/ special discounts that they can avail from METRO’s 26 wholesale outlets and pass on the ‘special’ benefit/offers to the end-consumers. In line with the company’s statement of purpose – Champion for Independent Business, the initiative is part of METRO’s global campaign to celebrate & contribute to the growth of independent businesses and foster their visibility to build a strong network.

As a run-up to Own Business Day, METRO Cash & Carry supports business owners with special offers, inspiration and marketing material as well as own activities to drive business. METRO with the support from its supplier partners will pass on huge discounts to kiranas, traders & HoReCa customers to create ‘specials’ for their end consumers. Registration for Own Business Day is free of cost and is available for METRO’s existing and potential customers. Independent Businesses, HoReCa and Kiranas can register on www.own-business-day.com or visit the nearest METRO wholesale store to create their ‘specials’. The entire initiative of ‘specials’ will help the independent businesses to drive more sales, garner more customers, sustain loyalty and help build potential business.

Speaking about the initiative, Mr. Arvind Mediratta, MD & CEO, METRO Cash & Carry India said, “In this emerging competitive landscape, it is imperative for small and independent businesses to constantly innovate to stay relevant. As the ‘Champion for Independent Business’, we always strive to bring more business to our customers’ doorsteps as we know: our own success hinges on their growth. With the Own Business Day, we take this approach to the next level by not only providing business owners with comprehensive support and special offers, but also creating more awareness for own businesses and providing them with various tools and services to enhance their visibility and garner customers. We would also like to thank our supplier partners for supporting us in this journey to champion the cause of independent businesses. We at METRO are the voice of small independent businesses and we believe their success is our business.”

To express admiration for the value that own businesses add to daily lives and to create new opportunities for them, METRO had rolled out Own Business Day in 2016 to pay tribute to business owners in all the countries in which it operates. To this end, a special day was created - Own Business Day, to celebrate business owners around the world on the second Tuesday of each October. This year Own Business Day is scheduled for October 9th, 2018. METRO also carried out an International Own Business Study to gather better insights on independent businesses across the globe. METRO surveyed 10,000 respondents from ten countries, among which 1,500 were business owners including 1000 respondents from India, of which 150 were business owners.

As part of this offering, METRO will provide an opportunity for business owners to get visibility and establish their brand image. Keeping modernization and digitalization as its core focus, the company will provide ‘METRO digital hub’ for business owners to connect and create exclusive offers such as a special meals, event or service exclusively for its customers. The business owners can create special offers by selecting various categories such as Restaurant, Quick Meal, Bars & Drinks, Cafe Confectionary & Bakery, Trend Food, Travel & Hospitality, Stores & Shops, Services, Events, Culture for their customers. The digital hub will help the business owners discover their customers at relevant locations. All special offers will be displayed on the site’s map and can be availed by customers.

METRO anchors close to a 3 million customer base in India. Today, the company operates 26 wholesale distribution centers, catering to over 5000 suppliers, and has created over 12,500 direct and indirect jobs across the country. METRO supports all local businesses and 99% of products at METRO are locally sourced from SMEs & local suppliers. METRO offers globally benchmarked quality assortment along with regional assortments in order to provide value-proposition to their business customers. They regularly engage with their suppliers to bring the advantage of economies of scale, which is thereafter leveraged by small and medium enterprises.

To become a METRO Wholesale member, register with a valid business license and photo ID proof copy by calling on 1860-266-2010 or log on to www.metro.co.in

About METRO Cash & Carry

METRO Cash & Carry operates in 25 countries over 750 wholesale outlets with about 108,000 employees worldwide. In financial year 2016/17 it generated sales of about €30 billion. METRO Cash & Carry is the wholesale division of METRO, a leading international specialist in wholesale and food retail. The company METRO operates in 35 countries and employs more than 150,000 people worldwide. In financial year 2016/17, METRO generated sales of around €37 billion. The company provides custom solutions to meet the regional and international needs of its wholesale and retail customers.

METRO Cash & Carry entered the Indian market in 2003. The company currently operates twenty-six wholesale distribution centers under the brand METRO Wholesale including six in Bangalore, four in Hyderabad, two each in Mumbai and Delhi, and one each in Kolkata, Jaipur, Jalandhar, Zirakpur, Amritsar, Vijayawada, Ahmedabad, Surat, Indore, Lucknow Meerut, and Nasik.

For further information write to press@metro.co.in