Metro to invest in outlet expansion but refutes Hypernova takeover claims

This year, German retail network Metro AG plans to invest EUR 100 million in this country through the establishment of eight new outlets, viz. four Media Markt electrical stores, two Saturn shops and two Makro Cash & Carry wholesale outlets. Despite this, Metro does not plan to enter any new market segments here, with Hans Joachim Koerber, the company's president denying rumors of a planned takeover of the Hypernova hypermarket chain from Dutch Ahold. "We aim for organic growth," he explained, but refused to reveal whether Metro's operations in this country have yet resulted in the posting of profits. (Puls Biznesu, p. 8) M.M.