At the same time, Uwe Hoelzer, Metro's former China president, will be transferred back to the German headquarters as global director for the company's customer franchise business.

 

As the newly appointed China president of Metro, Groot has been working as executive in the retail and cash and carry industry for a long time. His career route covers Asia, central and eastern Europe, and western Europe. Previously, he served as chief operating officer of Metro Asia region and president of Metro Russia.

 

According to a representative from Metro China, it is still unknown if Groot will continue the existing strategy and plan of Metro China. 

 

When Hoelzer was appointed China president, he reportedly changed the company's cautious and conservative development style in this marketplace and opened 12 new stores in 2012, marking the group's store expansion record in China. Meanwhile, Metro's sales in China also increased to EUR1.89 billion, a year-on-year increase of nearly 23% compared with the previous year.