Metro CEO wants to digitalize food industry faster

Olaf Koch, German Metro Group CEO, wants to focus a lot on the food industry’s digitalization over the next few years as he feels it is trailing other markets in that regard.

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Koch points to the opportunities a digital food industry could offer despite the fact that many currently fail to see the benefits. “Up to now there hasn’t been anyone to explain to restaurant owners or caterers how digitalization could benefit their businesses“, he told German Handelsblatt.

He believes Metro has an important part to play as those companies are some of its most important customers. That is why it wants to support about 30 start-ups that should help digitalize the food service industry. On top of that, Metro will invest in companies that have already progressed further in that regard.

Koch believes Metro can benefit financially from its investments in these companies, but it will also lead to a better customer relation: Metro could become known as a company that can solve problems.