Wumart wins bidding war for Metro China

Oct 23, 2019Updated Jun 4, 20251 min read

Chinese retail group Wumart has won a lengthy bidding process for the Metro China business.

The German grocery and hypermarket retailer commenced a search for a buyer for the business in March, with various sources reporting an asking price of between US$1.5 billion and $2 billion. As many as eight bidders were in the running with a short list culled several times before non-binding bids were due in June.

“This partnership includes the sale of Metro’s entire indirect participation in Metro China to a subsidiary of Wumei for an enterprise value of approximately US$2.1 billion,” Metro said in a statement.

However, Metro will retain a 20-per-cent stake in the Metro China-Wumart joint venture. The deal is subject to regulatory sign-off.

Metro China has 95 stores in the territory as well as real estate assets in several major cities, including Beijing and Shanghai.

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Mei Ling Tan

Contributor · RetailNews.asia

Mei Ling Tan is the Editor of Retail News Asia, where she leads the editorial team in delivering in-depth coverage of Asia’s dynamic retail landscape. With over a decade of experience in business journalism, Mei Ling is known for her sharp analysis, deep industry insights, and commitment to uncovering the stories behind Asia’s most innovative retail brands. Before joining Retail News Asia, Mei Ling held senior reporting roles at regional business publications, covering everything from consumer trends to digital transformation in retail. A graduate of the National University of Singapore with a degree in Communications and New Media, she combines journalistic integrity with a strong understanding of evolving market forces. Outside the newsroom, Mei Ling is a frequent speaker at industry panels and a mentor for young journalists.

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