Metro to fund brick-and-mortar startups

NEW DELHI: While startup funding news is dominated by online companies, German wholesale giant METRO AG is concentrating on the opposite end of the spectrum: brick-and-mortar

NEW DELHI: While startup funding news is dominated by online companies, German wholesale giant METRO AG is concentrating on the opposite end of the spectrum: brick-and-mortar stores.

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The almost $70-billion company is supporting new entrepreneurs opening small hotels, catering businesses, dhabas and even kirana stores.

“At every METRO outlet we have a specialised team that understands your needs as an entrepreneur. They don’t just help you buy the best products in your price bracket, but also help you streamline your supply chain. They share the expertise and business secrets which help your venture succeed,” said Damien Veilleroy, the operating partner for Asia region, at Metro Cash and Carry, the sales arm of METRO.

For instance, if you are considering running a small restaurant, the team can help you design an exciting menu, put you in touch with chefs who can share innovative recipes or help you manage your back-end operations more efficiently. The same is applicable for kirana stores that have limited cash flow and storage.

“More than funding, it is about the day-to-day obstacles that an entrepreneur faces in such tricky businesses. In a kirana store it could be about managing your stocks and displaying your products so they move fast. Similarly, for restaurant, kitchen supplies, inventory management, food safety and storage are key,” Veilleroy added.

Not just these, METRO is also happy to help you set up small businesses by providing office equipment at competitive pricing. Other hand-holding efforts include helping entrepreneurs understand the customer demand and market trends, maintaining quality standards and hygiene, keeping costs low, plan more efficiently, provide better customer service and delivery techniques .

“We are also able to give them customised credit facilities that can ease the cash flow crunch that entrepreneurs often face,” said Arvind Mediratta, MD and CEO, Metro Cash and Carry India.

All this advice comes free of cost and is available at all times to customers of the German wholesaler through its 22 stores in 13 cities.