real,- that plans to enter Ukrainian market in summer 2009 rises its sales by 5,8 %

Düsseldorf/Kyiv, 25 March 2009 – Sales of real,-, a subsidiary company of METRO Group, rose by 5.8 percent to € 11.6 billion in 2008. This rise is based on both a distinctly improved development in Germany as well as the continued expansion in Eastern Europe. real,- plans to open its first store in Ukraine in summer 2009.

The 2008 results were presented yesterday by the Management Board of METRO Group in Düsseldorf/Germany. METRO Group closed the financial year 2008 with record sales and earnings.

EBIT excluding special items grew by € 37 million to € 21 million.

The improved earnings are a first sign of the success of the company’s restructuring programme in Germany. They also reflect the successful international expansion of real,-.

According to Dr. Eckhard Cordes, CEO of METRO Group, the successful start of the real,- advertising campaign in Germany and implementation of the new own brands are two main reasons for the improved earnings. For 2009, again a positive contribution to Group earnings from real,- is expected.

*annual average **includes rounding differences

real,- successful international expansion

real,- is also making good progress internationally with an expansion rate of over 25 percent. In Poland, the EBIT margin even came in at over 3 percent. “This promises a bright future. In these times of crisis we will use our strong position to further extend our market share, especially in Eastern Europe.” – said Dr. Eckhard Cordes, CEO of METRO Group.

In terms of international expansion the main event in 2009 is a market entry to Ukraine, planned for August in Odessa. The first real,- hypermarket in Ukraine will have 12,500 sqm area (including 8,500 sqm sales area) and will offer an assortment of 40,000 food and non-food items.

Ulf Groth, Managing Director for real,- Ukraine: “In 2008 real,- opened 14 new hypermarkets, 11 of them – outside of Germany. The new stores in Poland, Romania, Russia and Turkey set benchmarks for the entire sector. Being part of such a successful and strong company is a reason why we are positive about our market entry into Ukraine even in a midst of turbulent economic situation.”

Beside Ukraine real,- plans in other countries for 2009 include: 3 new stores in Turkey, 4 stores in Romania and 3 new stores in Russia.

real,- is a member of METRO Group. real,- stands for a wide range of branded products, high levels of competency in freshness and good value for money. Under the umbrella of real,- SB-Warenhaus GmbH, the company manages 343 hypermarkets in Germany as well as another 96 in Poland, Romania, Russia and Turkey. In fiscal year 2008, the company reached net sales of € 11.6 billion. More information is available at www.real,-.de and www.metrogroup.de.