Makro
An international cash-and-carry warehouse-club brand serving business customers and, in some markets, individual consumers.
Last updated August 21, 2026
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Overview
Makro is an international warehouse-club and cash-and-carry brand that supplies food, beverages, household goods, equipment and other merchandise in bulk or professional-sized formats. The business began in Amsterdam in 1968 when Dutch conglomerate SHV Holdings developed the concept with German partner Metro AG. Its operating model combined large warehouse stores, membership-based access, self-service purchasing and relatively low prices, with a particular focus on restaurants, hotels, caterers, independent retailers, institutions and other professional buyers. The brand expanded quickly during the 1970s and 1980s. It entered the United Kingdom in 1971 and South Africa in the same year, then extended into the Americas and Asia. At different points Makro operated in the United States, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan, China, Morocco, Pakistan, Greece, Belgium and Brazil, in addition to its continuing or later markets. The international network was never a single centrally owned retail chain: ownership and management were progressively divided among local partners, Metro AG, SHV Holdings and companies connected with the CP Group. As a result, Makro stores in different countries can have materially different assortments, membership rules, formats and strategic priorities. A major ownership change came at the end of the 1990s, when SHV sold its European Makro stores to Metro AG. Metro subsequently retained or transferred operations in several European markets, while individual country businesses were later sold, rebranded or closed. Makro Malaysia was sold to Tesco in 2007 and converted to the Tesco Extra format; the Indonesian business was sold to Lotte in 2010; the United Kingdom operation was sold to Booker Group in 2012; and the Greek business was sold to Sklavenitis in 2014 and later rebranded. In South Africa, the business became part of Massmart and subsequently Walmart's South African operations. In Thailand, Siam Makro became part of CP ALL after its 2013 sale by SHV. Makro's standard proposition is a broad one-stop assortment. Food departments commonly include fresh meat, fish, produce, chilled and frozen goods, beverages and wine. Non-food departments may include electronics, appliances, clothing, office supplies, computing products, do-it-yourself goods, sporting and camping equipment, homeware and seasonal merchandise. Stores generally use membership cards and may also offer cafeterias, cash machines, fuel stations or separate liquor stores, depending on the market. Promotional activity has historically included the Makro Mail catalogue and its digital equivalents. The brand remains active, but its geographic footprint is more fragmented than during its period of greatest expansion. Makro Netherlands operates under Metro ownership, Makro UK operates under Booker, Makro South Africa is part of Massmart, and the Thai business is operated by CP Axtra. In December 2022, Makro Cash & Carry Belgium entered bankruptcy and its six stores closed permanently. The continuing brand therefore represents a shared international retail identity rather than one uniformly controlled worldwide company.
History
Makro was created by SHV Holdings, a Dutch conglomerate whose corporate roots extend to nineteenth-century coal-mining businesses. In partnership with Metro AG of Germany, SHV opened the first Makro warehouse club in Amsterdam in 1968. The concept was based on cash-and-carry retail: professional customers selected goods directly from a large warehouse, paid at checkout and transported their purchases themselves. Membership restrictions helped the stores concentrate on trade customers while the warehouse format supported broad assortments and relatively low operating costs. Expansion followed first within the Netherlands and then across Europe. The first United Kingdom store opened in Eccles, near Manchester, in April 1971. Makro also entered South Africa in 1971, its first market outside Europe. During the 1970s and 1980s the brand expanded into the Americas and Asia, including a mid-1980s entry into the United States. Kmart acquired the United States locations in 1989 and converted most of them to the Pace Warehouse format in 1990. Asia became an important area of development. Makro entered Thailand in 1989 through Siam Makro, a joint venture involving SHV Holdings and Charoen Pokphand. The Thai company later became a substantial warehouse-club operator and was proposed for listing on the Stock Exchange of Thailand in 1994 to support expansion. Makro also operated in Malaysia from about 1994, entered the Philippines in 1996 through a joint venture involving SM Prime Holdings and the Ayala Group, and established operations in other Asian markets. The Philippine business was progressively consolidated under SM Investments and its stores were ultimately converted to SM Hypermarket and Savemore formats. The ownership structure changed significantly in Europe. SHV announced the sale of its European Makro stores to Metro in October 1997, and the transaction received Metro supervisory-board approval in December 1997. The sale was completed in 1998. Metro later reshaped the network through country-level disposals and exits. Makro Malaysia was acquired by Tesco in 2007 and converted to Tesco Extra. Makro Indonesia was sold to Lotte Mart in 2010. In 2012, Booker acquired Makro UK, while Makro-Habib in Pakistan was rebranded as Metro-Habib. Metro sold the Greek business to Sklavenitis in 2014; the stores subsequently became The Mart. South American and African operations also evolved separately. South African Makro stores became part of Massmart after SHV exchanged the business for a shareholding in 1990. SHV sold its remaining Massmart shares in 2004. Walmart later acquired a majority stake in Massmart in 2011 and completed its acquisition in 2020. In Brazil, Carrefour acquired 30 of Makro's 54 stores in 2020. In Thailand, CP Group acquired Siam Makro from SHV in 2013 through CP ALL; the business later operated as CP Axtra. Makro stores typically combine food and non-food departments. Food ranges include fresh fish, meat, chilled and frozen products, groceries, beverages and wine. Non-food ranges have included clothing, homeware, appliances, electronics, computing, office products, DIY, sporting goods, camping equipment and seasonal merchandise. Many stores include a cafeteria and cash machine, while some markets add fuel stations or separate liquor stores. The brand has used printed and online promotional catalogues, notably Makro Mail, to communicate periodic offers. Makro's present identity is multinational but decentralized. The Dutch operation remains associated with Metro, the United Kingdom operation with Booker, the South African operation with Massmart and Walmart, and the Thai operation with CP Axtra. Other countries have closed, been sold or been rebranded. Belgium was a notable recent contraction: Makro Cash & Carry Belgium entered bankruptcy in December 2022 and all six stores closed. The continuing brand is therefore best understood as a country-specific network sharing the Makro name and cash-and-carry heritage rather than as one globally unified retailer.
- 2022
Belgian business closes after bankruptcy
[1]Makro Cash & Carry Belgium enters bankruptcy and its six stores close permanently.
- 2020
Carrefour acquires Brazilian stores
[1]Carrefour acquires 30 Makro stores in Brazil.
- 2013
CP Group acquires Siam Makro
[1]CP ALL acquires Siam Makro from SHV, bringing the Thai business into the CP Group.
- 2012
Booker acquires Makro UK
[1]Booker Group takes ownership of the United Kingdom business from Metro.
- 2010
Lotte acquires Makro Indonesia
[1]The Indonesian operation becomes Lotte Mart Wholesale.
- 2007
Tesco acquires Makro Malaysia
[1]Tesco acquires the Malaysian operation and converts its stores to Tesco Extra.
- 1998
European stores transferred to Metro AG
[1]SHV completes the sale of its European Makro stores to Metro AG.
- 1996
Entry into the Philippines
[1]Makro enters the Philippines through a joint venture involving SM Prime Holdings and the Ayala Group.
- 1990
South African operations linked to Massmart
[1]The South African stores are exchanged for a shareholding in Massmart.
- 1989
Entry into Thailand
[1]The Siam Makro joint venture begins operations in Thailand.
Products and positioning
A professional wholesale partner combining warehouse-club pricing, broad grocery and non-food assortment, and membership-based access for businesses and selected consumer groups.
Food wholesale · 1968
Food and grocery
Makro's core food proposition serves professional kitchens, retailers and institutions with packaged groceries, fresh meat, fish, produce, chilled and frozen products, beverages and wine. Assortments and access rules vary by country, but the format generally emphasizes larger packs, case quantities and trade-oriented purchasing.
General merchandise · 1968
Non-food merchandise
Warehouse stores supplement food with broad non-food ranges, including clothing, homeware, appliances, electronics, computing products, office supplies, DIY goods, sports equipment, camping products and seasonal merchandise. These departments make the stores one-stop suppliers for small businesses and organizational buyers.
Alcohol retail
Makro Liquor
In South Africa, Makro's retail estate includes separate Makro Liquor stores alongside general warehouse stores. The format focuses on alcoholic beverages and operates within local licensing and membership requirements.
Promotional service
Makro Mail
Makro Mail is the brand's recurring promotional catalogue, historically distributed in print and later supported through online channels. It presents limited-period offers across food, beverages, equipment and general merchandise.
Marketing campaigns
- Makro Mail
Multiple Makro markets
The recurring Makro Mail catalogue communicates promotional offers and seasonal ranges to members and professional customers through print and digital formats.
Outcome. The campaign has historically supported member engagement and sales across participating Makro markets.
Brand decisions
2022
Closure of Makro BelgiumOtherBackground
Makro Cash & Carry Belgium entered bankruptcy after operating six stores.
Action taken
The Belgian business closed all six locations permanently.
Aftermath
Makro ceased operating in Belgium.
2013
Sale of Siam Makro to CP ALLM&ABackground
SHV no longer retained ownership of the Thai warehouse-club operation.
Action taken
CP ALL, a CP Group subsidiary, acquired Siam Makro.
Aftermath
The Thai business became part of the CP Group and later operated under the CP Axtra name.
Reported transaction value. (2013)
2012
Sale of Makro UK to Booker GroupM&ABackground
Metro sought to make the United Kingdom business financially independent after restructuring the European portfolio.
Action taken
Metro sold Makro UK to rival wholesaler Booker Group.
Aftermath
Some branches operated in combined Booker and Makro formats, while several locations were closed.
1997
SHV announces sale of European Makro stores to MetroM&ABackground
SHV and Metro had developed Makro together, but the European network was subsequently transferred to Metro as part of a change in ownership structure.
Action taken
SHV announced the transaction on 29 October 1997; Metro's supervisory board approved it in December, with the sale completed in 1998.
Aftermath
Metro became the principal owner of Makro's European operations and later disposed of or restructured several country businesses.
Recent events
Reported
Makro stores close during national trading-system outage[3]
Makro stores closed on Thursday morning after a technical issue; the article reported that customers were turned away at stores in the Western Cape and Gauteng. Makro later said the issue had been resolved and stores had reopened.
Weekdays and relative dates follow the original report; their exact calendar dates have not been verified.
Reported
Makro introduces WhatsApp customer care[4]
Makro introduced a WhatsApp chat service that lets shoppers engage with the retailer and access customer-service functions including order tracking and current catalogues.
Reported
Makro partners with Clickatell on customer chat service[4]
Makro partnered with Clickatell to bring Makro’s WhatsApp chat service to life.
- Unconfirmed
Reported
Nesa Investment Holdings acquired Makro solar-site portfolio[5]
Nesa Investment Holdings acquired the portfolio of Makro’s carport solar photovoltaic systems at Makro stores across South Africa.
Sources5 sources
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