The use of modern technologies in trading and retailing represents a critical competitive factor. Innovations enhance efficiency both in warehouse management and logistics. At the same time, companies will be able to offer their customers tailor-made services and an enhanced shopping experience. As a driving force of innovation, the METRO Group Future Store Initiative lends impetus to the technological changes which are taking place in this sector of industry.

Together with Intel, IBM, T-Systems, Cisco and more than 80 other cooperating partners from the IT and consumer goods industries and the service sector the METRO Group (www.metrogroup.de ) is developing feasible concepts for the trade of tomorrow. All of the parties involved are united by a single vision: the setting of new technological standards for the consumer goods industry and the speeding up of the modernization process in commerce. The METRO Group Future Store Initiative is the joint platform for this objective.