METRO AG to exit Kazakhstan by end-March 2027, closing six stores

October 2, 2026 at 12:44 PM2 min

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METRO AG announced on October 2 that it will cease operations in Kazakhstan by the end of March 2027, closing all six stores and its delivery service. The decision affects 650 employees. The company cited a lack of sustainable growth prospects despite significant investments.

Key Facts

METRO AG will close all six stores and its delivery service in Kazakhstan by the end of March 2027.
The company employs 650 people in Kazakhstan.
METRO entered the Kazakh market in October 2009.
The decision was made after a targeted analysis of long-term business prospects conducted over the past few months.
METRO Kazakhstan's general director is Mesut Dogukan.

Closure Announcement

METRO AG announced on October 2 that it will cease operations in Kazakhstan by the end of March 2027. All six stores and the delivery service will be closed in stages. The company said the decision was made after a targeted analysis of long-term business prospects in Kazakhstan conducted over the past few months. METRO Kazakhstan employs 650 people.

Reasons for Exit

METRO cited a lack of sustainable growth prospects despite significant investments and efforts by the local team. The company said it was unable to form market positions that would ensure long-term business development. In recent years, METRO Kazakhstan focused on serving hospitality and trade enterprises and expanded delivery to increase wholesale sales. The company explained that the specialized wholesale food market has a customer base spread over a large territory, which prevented the formation of a stable growth foundation.

Employee and Partner Transition

General Director Mesut Dogukan called the upcoming period extremely difficult for the team. He thanked employees, business partners, and government bodies for their trust and support over 17 years. The company promised to support employees throughout the transition period and comply with labor law requirements. The local management team will coordinate upcoming steps with clients, suppliers, and other partners in the coming months.