Eric Riegger is to become the new CEO of METRO AG. Eric Riegger will take over as Chairman of the Executive Board of METRO AG on 1 October 2026. He succeeds Dr Steffen Greubel, who has asked the Supervisory Board to terminate his contract at the end of the current financial year. Riegger is set to further develop the sCore strategy, focusing on profitability, cost efficiency and digital processes.
Change at the helm of the wholesale company
The Supervisory Board of METRO AG has appointed Eric Riegger as the company’s new Chairman of the Executive Board and CEO with effect from 1 October 2026. Riegger is currently Chief Financial Officer of METRO AG and will initially take on this additional responsibility alongside his existing duties.
He succeeds Dr Steffen Greubel, who has asked the Supervisory Board to terminate his contract at the end of the current financial year. According to the company, there are differing views on the future direction of METRO. Greubel explained that, in his view, the next phase of development should be shaped by a leadership team that takes responsibility for this phase from the outset.
METRO sees the change at the top of the company as a means of both continuing the existing strategy and further developing it. The focus here is on the sCore growth strategy.
Riegger combines financial and retail experience
Eric Riegger has been a member of the Executive Board of METRO AG since February 2024. His appointment as a member of the Executive Board runs until 31 December 2030. According to the Supervisory Board, in addition to his experience in finance, he also possesses operational expertise in the retail sector.
The Supervisory Board particularly highlights Riegger’s work in the areas of cost efficiency and profitability. Roman Šilha, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of METRO AG, stated that Riegger, together with his colleagues on the Executive Board, had played a key role in putting the company back on a growth trajectory.
According to the company, the appointment is intended to ensure continuity. At the same time, METRO faces the task of further defining its strategic priorities for the coming years. This development is relevant for companies in the consumer goods sector because, as an internationally active wholesaler, METRO acts as a key interface between manufacturers, suppliers and commercial customers.
Further development of the sCore strategy
Eric Riegger announced that, together with his fellow board members, he would be launching a process to further develop the sCore strategy. Those involved include Christiane Giesen, Chief Operating Officer and Director of Labour Relations, and Guillaume Deruyter, Chief Customer and Merchandise Officer.
The aim of this process is to secure the sustainable growth of METRO AG. In doing so, greater consideration will be given to customer needs and developments in the respective markets. For manufacturers and distributors in the cosmetics, drugstore goods and food retail sectors, this may result in new requirements regarding product ranges, supply chains, digital interfaces and customer services.
In his new role, Riegger intends to place particular emphasis on three areas: improving profitability, achieving greater cost efficiency and utilising digital solutions. These areas do not merely concern internal processes; they also influence how products are sourced, marketed, distributed and sold to commercial customers.
Digitalisation as an integral part of corporate development
According to METRO AG, the planned increased use of digital solutions is intended to help boost the company’s performance. In the wholesale sector, digital applications can be used, amongst other things, for product range management, stock planning, customer communication and the optimisation of procurement processes.
For suppliers, such a development means that digital connections and reliable data are becoming increasingly important. Product information, availability, prices and logistical details must increasingly be provided in a structured and up-to-date manner. The analysis of customer data and market trends may also become more important for product range and sales planning.
At the time of the announcement, it remains to be seen what specific measures will result from the further development of the sCore strategy. The announced process is to be initiated in the coming weeks in collaboration with the Executive Board.
A look back at Steffen Greubel’s tenure
Steffen Greubel served as Chief Executive of METRO AG for five years. In the Supervisory Board’s assessment, he realigned the company during this period. Particular mention is made of customer focus, sales dynamism, faster decision-making and a more entrepreneurial approach to work.
Greubel himself described his tenure as a period of successful transformation. He stated that METRO had developed into a growing wholesale company that places greater emphasis on its customers. He noted that there are differing views on the future direction for the next phase. He explained that his departure was motivated by the belief that the next stage of development should be led by a management team that is responsible for it from the outset.
The Supervisory Board regrets Greubel’s decision and thanked him for his collaboration. Operational responsibility is now to be gradually transferred to Eric Riegger.
Implications for manufacturers and suppliers
The change of leadership at METRO comes at a time when the retail sector and its suppliers are having to cope with rising costs, changing customer behaviour and increasing digitalisation. For manufacturers of cosmetic products and other consumer goods, collaboration with wholesale companies therefore remains a key component of their sales planning.
The decisive factor will be how METRO strikes a balance between growth, pricing, efficiency and customer focus. Equally relevant is the importance that digital sales channels, data-driven product range decisions and bespoke solutions for business customers will assume in future.
With Eric Riegger, the Chief Financial Officer is also taking on the role of Chairman of the Executive Board. As a result, the company’s profitability, cost control and financial performance will initially take centre stage. At the same time, the sCore strategy is to be further developed. The next steps will show how METRO combines these priorities with customer focus, innovation and the requirements of its suppliers.
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[Text: epcnews/Image: Metro Group]
