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Temporary management has been imposed on the legal entities of the Metro hypermarket chain, according to a decree signed by President Vladimir Putin on 28 September.

Under the decree, UK Torg RUS, a management company, took control of 100 % of Metro Warehouse Noginsk LLC, held by Metro Cash & Carry Russia B.V.; 54.45 %t of Metro Cash & Carry LLC, held by Metro Cash & Carry International Holding B.V.; and the remaining 45.55 % of the same company, held by Metro Cash & Carry Russia B.V.

Stakes of 90 % and 10 % in Retail Property 5 LLC were also placed under temporary management. They are owned by Metro Retail Real Estate GmbH and Metro Properties Holding GmbH respectively. 

Torg RUS was registered on 8 September with a charter capital of 10,000 rubles ($117), RBC reported. Its director-general is Johannes Maria Tholey, who is also director-general of Metro Russia.

Metro said in 2023 that it had no plans to leave the Russian market and was continuing to operate.

The retailer's press office said the decision to introduce temporary management was linked to the need to ensure the safety of staff and infrastructure and the continuity of business processes. It added that Metro is classed as critical infrastructure, ensuring the stability of supplies and the operation of professional retail.

A separate decree allowing temporary management to be imposed at critical infrastructure facilities was signed by the President on 24 August. The list covers industrial, telecoms and utilities facilities, transport and logistics hubs, and other facilities of "particular importance" to security, economic stability and the wellbeing of the population. The decree can potentially be applied to Russian and foreign-owned companies alike, although it had not been used until now.

"The company continues to operate as usual, and all operational processes remain unchanged. All obligations to suppliers, customers and employees are being met as usual," Metro's press office said in a statement. It added that Metro would continue to serve more than 300,000 professional customers and more than 7 million shoppers at its stores and online, "developing its professional range, own brands and ecosystem".

Earlier in September, the Russian subsidiaries of Auchan and Leman PRO were placed under the temporary management of L.E.V. Management, which was also handed 100 % of Nestlé Russia. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov explained that one factor behind the decision on Nestlé and Auchan was that their owners are based in European countries that Russia considers unfriendly.

Metro, a German multinational founded in 1964, operates a chain of cash-and-carry wholesale and small wholesale stores.