"I am very optimistic we will correct that situation in the near future," Olaf Koch told an event in Berlin to promote Metro's cooperation with start-ups, describing the problems in Russia as "a bit of a hiccup".

Metro said last month it hopes to stabilize its shrinking Russian business in the coming months after overhauling management and introducing bulk discounts to attract more independent traders and restaurant owners.

(Reporting by Emma Thomasson; Editing by Maria Sheahan)