Metro cash and carry acquisition: Reliance Retail boosts B2B store count

Reliance Industries’ retail arm has swiftly scaled its business-to-business (B2B) store count following its acquisition of Metro Cash and Carry’s India operations, bringing the total to over 200 stores across more than 180 cities.
 
The company added 30 new stores during the April-June quarter, it said in its investor presentation after announcing its results on Friday.
 
In late 2022, Reliance Retail acquired Metro Cash and Carry India for Rs 2,850 crore. At the time, Metro Cash and Carry operated just 31 large-format stores in 21 cities.
 
“With the Metro Cash and Carry India acquisition, we have created an omnichannel offering for the B2B segment,” said a source familiar with the matter. “Our customers, primarily retailers, can now shop both on our app and in our stores.”
 
Previously, Reliance operated JioMart B2B before acquiring Metro Cash and Carry India. Post the acquisition, most of its B2B customers are on Metro Cash & Carry's app. Even the customers on JioMart's app are migrating to the acquired entities app, according to the source.
 
The source also added, “The expanded B2B network implies robust sourcing and distribution.”
 
Following its earnings release, the company said it would continue investing in stores, platform enhancements, product design, and sourcing capabilities to further strengthen its value proposition. These initiatives are expected to sustain growth momentum in the near and medium term.
 
The company reported that its grocery new commerce business continued to expand its kirana partner base, with the Metro Cash and Carry format adding 30 new stores in the quarter.
 
At the time of the acquisition, the German retailer’s cash-and-carry operations in India served over 3 million B2B customers, including 1 million frequent buyers, through its store network and eB2B app.

ON EXPANSION SPREE
 

> Metro Cash and Carry now has over 200 stores in 180 cities

> Reliance Retail opened 30 Metro Cash and Carry stores in April-June quarter

> With the Metro Cash and Carry, Reliance Retail has managed to create an omni channel offering for the B2B segment