Metro International sales were down in the first quarter compared with the same quarter last year, the company announced Monday.

However, although operating losses were at €5.6 million for the 2008 first quarter, they were less than the €8.8 million losses of the same quarter in 2007, Newspaper Innovation reported Monday.

Metro Sweden and Metro Holland both performed well, with Metro Sweden moving toward higher profitability, according to Newspaper Innovation.

Other countries performing well are Chile, Canada and Mexico, as well as Hong Kong. Results for Portugal, France, Italy, Greece and Spain “are under pressure” because of results in Spain, as well as difficult March sales, Newspaper Innovation reported.