Otto

The Otto Group, founded by Werner Otto in 1949 in Hamburg, Germany, is a multinational retail company that has evolved significantly over the years. Initially starting as a mail-order company with a small catalogue offering 28 pairs of shoes, Otto quickly expanded its product range to include consumer durables like bicycles and electrical appliances. By the 1960s, the company had introduced innovative services such as telephone order hotlines and electronic data processing, which significantly enhanced its operations. Under the leadership of Michael Otto, who took over in 1981, the company continued to grow internationally, establishing subsidiaries in various countries and diversifying into sectors like tourism and logistics. The Otto Group has been at the forefront of e-commerce, launching its online shopping website in 1995 and becoming one of the largest online retailers globally. Today, the company remains committed to sustainability and environmental protection, generating 鈧?6.2 billion in sales in 2023 and employing around 41,186 people worldwide.