(Yicai Global) May 25 -- German supermarket chain Metro’s China business has rolled out a new paid membership system after taking a minimal hit from the Covid-19 pandemic.

Metro gave out memberships free when it first arrived in China to entice customers, but has begun charging CNY199 (USD28) per year in eight cities in eastern Jiangsu province, Metro China Chief Executive Claude Sarrailh told The Paper. Members there will enjoy greater discounts and can join for just CNY99 at the moment as part of a limited-time promotion.

The Dusseldorf-based firm’s six stores in Covid-19 epicenter Hubei province continued to operate throughout the first quarter, added Nicolas Gauthero, a vice president of Metro China. Two outlets suspended in-store sales to suit local regulations but maintained their delivery business and suffered no major loss, and now the pandemic is easing orders are pretty much back to normal, he said.

China’s Wumei Technology Group announced in October last year that it would pick up an 80 percent stake in Metro China at a valuation of EUR1.9 billion (USD2.1 billion), and has since completed the deal. The company has not made any executive changes since the takeover and will continue to use the Metro brand at existing and new stores.

Editor: James Boynton