Press Release

Siemens Nixdorf completes roll-out of �2 million retail systems project at Makro
 
� delivery of new PoS technology to 27 depots in UK

Siemens Nixdorf Retail and Banking Systems Limited has successfully
completed the roll-out of a major retail technology project at Makro, one of
Europe's largest cash & carry retailers. Under the �2 million contract,
Siemens Nixdorf has delivered around 800 advanced BEETLE Point of Sale
systems to all 27 Makro depots throughout the UK. This has provided Makro
with an open systems retail infrastructure that has enabled it to retain its
investment in proprietary software and significantly increase throughput at
the Point of Sale.

The new PoS solutions are based on Siemens Nixdorf's BEETLE XL system and
utilise SNIkey touchscreen terminals and radio frequency scanners from
Telxon. This has also provided Makro assistants with additional mobility,
enabling them to move away from the checkout areas and scan goods on the
shopfloor when required.

"Siemens Nixdorf won the original contract under fierce competition from a
number of other key industry suppliers. We took the final decision based on
the flexibility of its solution and its ability to tailor the solution to
our exact requirements," commented Maurice Boardman, IT Manager at Makro.
"Following the successful implementation of the new systems, we are already
beginning to realise significant performance benefits and more importantly,
we are able to take advantage of these benefits by further raising our
levels of customer service." 

Following its takeover by Metro AG in January 1998, Makro's Cash & Carry
operations now represent one of Metro's four core business sectors. The
European Makro operation comprises 92 cash & carry outlets in Great Britain,
The Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Poland, the Czech
Republic and Morocco - all carrying a total of up to 30,000 food lines.

Siemens Nixdorf Retail and Banking Systems is a European market leader in
the provision of Information and Communication products and services to
major retailers and banks - with 50,000 Point of Sale terminals installed
throughout the UK and 80,000 ATMs and self-service terminals throughout
Europe. Siemens Nixdorf offers total retail solutions based on open systems
and industry-specific hardware, customised software applications and
powerful networking capabilities, as well as a comprehensive range of
self-service technology-based solutions. 

Siemens Nixdorf Retail and Banking Systems is a key business within Siemens
Information and Communication Products, part of the major DM50 billion
turnover Siemens Information and Communications business which is made up of
three Groups: Information and Communication Products, Information and
Communication Networks and Siemens Business Services. This new business was
formed on October 1, 1998 in response to the growing requirement for
converged IT and communications products and services. 

For more information
Please contact:

        Andy Cummins
        Siemens Nixdorf Retail and Banking Systems Limited
        Tel:  01344 850321
        [email protected]

        Charles Crabtree
        IBA
        Tel: 01780 721433
        [email protected]

        Maurice Boardman
        Makro
        Tel:  0161 707 1585
        [email protected]