Metro group rises sales in first quarter

The German Metro group has announced a rise of 4.2% in sales for the first quarter of 2005 to €13.4bn.Sales rose 3.0% in Western Europe and 5.5% Asia and Africa. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) were up by 2.9% to €439.8m. In particular sales of nonfood divisions (Media, Saturn, Praktiker) were successful in Germany and abroad.