METRO Group is one of the most important international retailing companies. In 2005 the group reached sales of € 55.7 billion. The company has a headcount of about 250,000 employees and operates more than 2,100 outlets in 30 countries. The operating business is performed by the sales brands which operate independently in the market: Metro/Makro Cash & Carry - world market leader in cash & carry wholesale, Real hypermarkets and Extra supermarkets, Media Markt and Saturn - market leader in consumer electronics centers in Europe, and Galeria Kaufhof department stores.