Metro Pakistan
Metro Pakistan is a Pakistani wholesale and supermarket operator serving business customers, small retailers, and consumers through stores in several major cities.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Metro Pakistan is a Pakistani retail and wholesale chain that developed from the combination of the Makro Habib and Metro Cash & Carry businesses. The company is based in Lahore and operates under a joint-venture structure associated with the German Metro Cash & Carry group and Thal Limited, a House of Habib subsidiary. Its business combines cash-and-carry wholesale with a broader hybrid retail model, allowing both professional customers and, in some circumstances, smaller consumers to shop at its outlets. The business traces its corporate origins to 2005, when Makro Habib Pakistan was established as a joint venture between SHV Holdings, the Dutch conglomerate that operated Makro wholesale stores, and the House of Habib. SHV initially held a majority stake. Makro Habib opened its first Pakistani outlet in Karachi in 2006. The company subsequently developed outlets in Karachi and Lahore, although several proposed or actual sites became associated with planning, land-use, or court proceedings. Metro Cash & Carry entered Pakistan separately in October 2007, opening its first wholesale center in Lahore and another in Islamabad roughly six months later. In 2008, SHV exited Pakistan and transferred its interest in Makro Habib to the House of Habib. Metro also expanded its own network during this period, including outlets in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, and Faisalabad. In 2009, Metro shifted from a strictly business-to-business format toward a hybrid model that could accommodate smaller consumers as well as commercial buyers. In 2010, it introduced an own-brands initiative in Pakistan, giving small businesses the opportunity to present products through Metro stores while using Metro-designed packaging and a multi-tier pricing structure. The decisive organizational change came in 2012, when the Makro and Metro operations in Pakistan were merged. At the time, each business had five outlets: Metro had stores in Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, and Faisalabad, while Makro Habib had three Karachi stores and two Lahore stores. The combined operation continued under the Metro Pakistan identity and became one of the country's notable organized wholesale and large-format retail networks. Expansion continued with a Faisalabad store opened in 2015 and a tenth outlet inaugurated in Multan in 2020. The Multan location was described as the company's first store in southern Punjab. Metro Pakistan has also been recognized locally as an employer; in 2017, it was reported as having been named the best place to work in Pakistan. Its reported store network spans Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Faisalabad, and Multan. Metro Pakistan's positioning is centered on assortment breadth, bulk purchasing, professional sourcing, and dependable supply for small retailers, hospitality businesses, caterers, and other commercial customers. Its stores also serve households and smaller shoppers under the hybrid format. Typical merchandise includes food, beverages, fresh products, household supplies, personal-care goods, general merchandise, and business-use products, although the exact assortment varies by location. The chain's operating history reflects the broader transition of Pakistan's retail market from fragmented traditional trade toward organized wholesale and modern retail formats.
History
Metro Pakistan emerged from two separate wholesale retail ventures that were later combined. The first was Makro Habib Pakistan, founded in 2005 by SHV Holdings and the House of Habib. SHV initially held 70 percent of the joint venture. Makro Habib opened its first store in Karachi in 2006 and developed a presence in Karachi and Lahore. Its growth was affected by disputes surrounding proposed sites and construction approvals. A planned store at Webb Ground in Karachi's Lines Area was halted after the Supreme Court of Pakistan found the relevant lease arrangement unlawful and ordered the structures removed and the land restored to its earlier playground status. A separate Lahore project in Model Town was delayed by an injunction concerning the conversion of an amenity plot, although construction later proceeded after environmental approval and the store opened in 2009. Metro Cash & Carry entered Pakistan independently in October 2007. It opened a wholesale center in Lahore and added an Islamabad location about six months later. In 2008, SHV withdrew from Pakistan and sold its entire interest in Makro Habib to the House of Habib. Metro and Makro continued to build their respective networks. Metro operated five wholesale centers by the time of the later combination, while Makro Habib also had five outlets, concentrated in Karachi and Lahore. The Metro business broadened its commercial model in 2009. Rather than serving only business customers, it adopted a hybrid approach that enabled smaller consumers to shop at its stores. In 2010, Metro introduced an own-brands concept in Pakistan. The initiative was designed to give small businesses an avenue for presenting products in Metro stores and included several core brands positioned across two price levels, with packaging developed by Metro. In 2012, the Makro and Metro operations were merged. This created a unified Pakistani network with ten stores, five from each predecessor. The combined company operated under the Metro identity and continued to serve professional buyers, independent retailers, hospitality operators, caterers, and households. The merger also consolidated the local interests of the House of Habib with the international Metro Cash & Carry business. The company continued geographic expansion after the merger. It opened a new Faisalabad store in 2015 and was reported in 2017 to have been recognized as Pakistan's best place to work. In 2020, Metro inaugurated its tenth Pakistani outlet in Multan, marking its first store in southern Punjab. The reported network covers Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Faisalabad, and Multan. Metro Pakistan's historical role is therefore that of a modern wholesale and large-format retailer operating between traditional trade and organized supermarket retail, with a format adapted to both business purchasing and consumer shopping.
- 2020
Tenth outlet opened in Multan
[1]The Multan store became Metro Pakistan's tenth outlet and its first in southern Punjab.
- 2015
Faisalabad expansion
[1]Metro opened a new outlet in Faisalabad, Punjab.
- 2012
Makro and Metro operations merged
[1]The two Pakistani wholesale networks were consolidated under the Metro Pakistan operation.
- 2010
Own-brands initiative introduced
[1]Metro launched an own-brands program intended to showcase products from small businesses through its stores.
- 2009
Hybrid customer model introduced
[1]Metro expanded from a purely business-to-business approach to a hybrid model that also accommodated smaller consumers.
- 2008
SHV exited Makro Habib Pakistan
[1]SHV sold its entire Pakistani interest to the House of Habib.
- 2007
Metro Cash & Carry launched in Pakistan
[1]Metro opened its first Pakistani wholesale center in Lahore and soon expanded to Islamabad.
- 2006
First Makro Habib store opened
[1]Makro Habib opened its first Pakistani outlet in Karachi's SITE Industrial Area.
- 2005
Makro Habib Pakistan founded
[1]SHV Holdings and the House of Habib formed Makro Habib Pakistan as a wholesale retail joint venture.
Products and positioning
A large-format wholesale and retail operator focused on professional customers, small businesses, independent retailers, and value-conscious consumers.
Wholesale retail · 2007
Cash-and-carry wholesale stores
Metro Pakistan's core format is the large wholesale outlet, designed for bulk purchasing by independent retailers, restaurants, caterers, hotels, and other professional customers. Stores provide a broad assortment in a warehouse-style environment and are intended to support regular replenishment and business sourcing.
Supermarket and general merchandise · 2009
Hybrid retail format
Beginning in 2009, Metro adapted its business-to-business model to include smaller consumers. The hybrid format combines professional wholesale purchasing with consumer-oriented shopping, broadening the addressable customer base beyond registered commercial buyers.
Private-label products · 2010
Metro own brands
Metro introduced an own-brands concept in Pakistan in 2010. The program used Metro-designed packaging and included several core brands positioned across two price levels. It also provided a route for small businesses to feature products through the Metro store network.
Controversies
2006
Webb Ground lease and construction dispute
A proposed Makro-Habib outlet in Karachi's Lines Area was built on land whose lease and designated public use were challenged. Pakistan's Supreme Court found the federal government's transfer and subsequent sublease arrangement unlawful, ordered the structures dismantled, and directed that the site be restored as a playground. A review petition and interim status-quo order delayed final closure, but the review was dismissed in 2015 and the store was permanently closed.
Brand decisions
2012
Merged Makro and Metro operationsM&ABackground
Metro Cash & Carry and Makro Habib each operated five wholesale outlets in Pakistan.
Action taken
The two networks were combined under the Metro Pakistan operation.
Aftermath
The merger created a unified ten-store network spanning Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, and Faisalabad before later expansion to Multan.
2010
Introduced own-brand products in PakistanProduct launchBackground
Metro sought to expand its assortment and create opportunities for products associated with smaller businesses.
Action taken
It introduced five core own-brand lines across two price tiers, using packaging designed by Metro.
Aftermath
The initiative strengthened Metro's private-label and supplier-development role within its wholesale stores.
2009
Adopted a hybrid business-to-consumer modelStrategyBackground
Metro had initially operated as a business-to-business wholesale chain, but the Pakistani operation sought to reach a wider customer base.
Action taken
The company allowed smaller consumers to shop alongside professional and commercial customers.
Aftermath
The change positioned Metro Pakistan between conventional cash-and-carry wholesale and organized supermarket retail.
Sources1 sources
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