Metro aims to open at least 12 outlets in major Chinese cities

A Metro outlet in Nanjing, Jiangsu province. The wholesaler has 63 stores in 45 cities in China. [Provided to China Daily]

In 2012, Metro opened 12 stores in not only major cities but also second-tier cities, including Zhenjiang in Jiangsu province and Zhongshan in Guangdong province.

"This shows our long-term commitment to China," said Uwe Hoelzer, president of Metro China.

Metro China's sales revenue for 2012 increased 23 percent from a year before to 1.89 billion euros ($2.46 billion). In comparison, Metro Group's global sales only increased 1.7 percent to 32 billion euros.

Despite China's slowing economic growth, Metro China is confident that it can maintain stable growth in the nation.

"We are still talking about GDP growth of 7 percent and the expectation is about 8 percent. So there is still enough growth, which underlines our strategy," said Hoelzer.

He said increasing food safety problems also provide opportunities to Metro China because people in China are paying more attention to food quality, allowing Metro China to grab market share from wet markets, street markets and some international players.

Metro China has established a food tracing system, which allows companies and consumers to monitor every step of the supply chain.

To support its growth, the company said it would pay more attention to a number of sectors in 2013, including consumers, corporate clients and caterers.