Otto Group: News

Mai 24th, 2019 | Company
Thomas von Hake to strengthen collectAI management team

As of 01 July 2019 Thomas von Hake will join the executive management of collectAI, a company in the portfolio of Otto Group Digital Solutions (OGDS), the Otto Group’s own company builder. In the management team together with Sebastian Hoop he will hold responsibility for the Sales, Marketing and Customer Development Divisions.
Mai 22nd, 2019 | Company
Otto Group remains on growth track even in difficult market environment

Revenues rise 3.5 percent on a comparable basis to 13.4 billion euros + Comparable online revenues rise 4.5 percent to 7.7 billion euros + Focused growth strategy is paying off, with focus companies including the single company OTTO performing above average + High investments in OTTO’s online platform and logistics infrastructure + EBIT result declines to 222 million euros due to external factors and high investment + Successful cultural change and value-orientated company management strengthen Otto Group as European alternative in online commerce.
Mai 10th, 2019 | Company
Hermes Group announces solid growth figures

The Hermes Group as the strong No. 2 in Europe’s largest CEP markets profits from the continuously growing e-commerce. In the 2018/19 financial year Hermes increased its revenue by around 6.0% to EUR 3,20 billion. Especially the German market has been challenging due to increased costs on the last mile.
März 28th, 2019 | Company
Otto Group remains on growth track despite difficult market conditions

In the 2018/19 financial year now closed, according to preliminary forecasts the Otto Group raised revenues on a comparable basis by 3.5 percent to reach around 13.5 billion euros. While the internationally active retail and services group was not able to repeat the outstanding results of the previous financial year, it remains on its growth trajectory and has reconfirmed its objective of achieving a revenue figure of 17 billion euros on a comparable basis by 2022.
März 26th, 2019 | Company
Otto Group to rely on sustainable bonds for corporate financing

With its comprehensive Corporate Responsibility (CR) Strategy, the international retail and services group is pursuing ambitious goals in expanding a sustainable value chain in the key Textile and Furniture assortments. Institutional and private investors will be able to contribute to this strategy in future.
Februar 28th, 2019 | Company
Otto Group reports solid growth in e-commerce

Preliminary forecasts see the Otto Group set to close its 2018/19 financial year (to 28.02.) with global online revenues of approximately 7.7 billion euros. This represents a rise of 5.1 percent on a comparable basis. The retail and services group generated revenues of over 5.4 billion euros in its online business in Germany, an increase of 5.9 percent.
Januar 31st, 2019 | Company
Carole Walker to retire in summer 2019

After a long and impressive career in the Otto Group, Carole Walker, CEO Hermes Europe, will carry out a decision she took a long time ago and take early retirement in summer 2019. As of 01 March 2019, Kay Schiebur, Otto Group Executive Board Member Services, will assume some of her responsibilities.
Dezember 11th, 2018 | Company
Richard Gottwald named Chairman of Bonprix Executive Board

As of 01 January 2019 Dr. Richard Gottwald is to become Chairman of the Bonprix Handelsgesellschaft Executive Board. The 59-year-old has already been one of the four Managing Directors of Bonprix since 2016, with responsibility for the company’s overall foreign sales activities. Furthermore, Dr. Richard Gottwald is responsible for the HR Area as well as Corporate Communications.
Dezember 10th, 2018 | Company
Frauke Mispagel bolsters the management team of Otto Group Digital Solutions

With effect from 1 January 2019, Frauke Mispagel will be joining the Executive Board at Otto Group Digital Solutions (OGDS) and will head the Otto Group’s own Company Builder unit together with Dr Björn Schäfers. In addition, the 37-year-old will also join the board of Liquid Labs.
Dezember 10th, 2018 | Company
Otto Group signs United Nations Climate Charter

As Germany’s largest textile retailer, the Otto Group has signed the newly established Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action, whose objective is to reduce the sector’s greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent by 2030. Under the umbrella of the United Nations, through the Climate Charter the international retail and services group advocates intensifying climate-protection measures in order to reach the targets set out in the Paris Agreement.
November 29th, 2018 | Company
Fashion for Good launches partnership with Otto Group, OTTO and bonprix

Today Fashion for Good and Otto Group with its companies OTTO and bonprix announce their partnership. The partners emphasise their commitment to a good fashion industry in their shared agenda, which drives the call for international and collaborative innovation within the circular apparel industry.
November 21st, 2018 | Company
Sebastian Klauke appointed to the Otto Group Executive Board

As of 01 May 2019 Sebastian Klauke will become a Member of the Otto Group Executive Board with responsibility for E-Commerce. The current Chief Digital Officer will succeed Dr Rainer Hillebrand, who after 28 years’ highly successful work for the international retail and services group has reached the stipulated maximum age for Executive Board Members.
November 5th, 2018 | Company
Andreas Assum strengthens the Otto Group

As of 1 November 2018, the Otto Group’s E-Commerce Competence Center, an expert unit centrally located in the holding company, has in Andreas Assum a new Group Vice President E-Commerce.
Oktober 9th, 2018 | Company
The bill please! 'European Payment Practices' 2018

Europeans have more in common than generally supposed. As well as cultural similarities and a passion for soccer, Europeans prefer conventional means of payment. So companies are meeting their customers' preferences when they continue to offer traditional payment methods. Overall, they offer on average 4.1 payment options, from the traditional to the modern.
Oktober 1st, 2018 | Company
hagebau and Otto Group to rely on individual business concepts

hagebau KG and the Otto Group have reached a mutual accord to wind-up the successful Joint Venture baumarkt direkt on 30.06.2019. In future, both companies intend to manage the online sales of their respective DIY assortments independently. Driving the decision are the differing business models involved: the hagebau cooperation pursues a cross-channel approach, while otto.de follows a platform strategy. The Joint Venture’s workforce of approximately 200 at the Hamburg location will be reallocated across both parent companies.
September 24th, 2018 | Company
Payment practices 2018: Experts confirm positive trend for Europe

Europe in the mood to spend. In June, the GfK Consumer Climate for the 28 EU member states reached 23.2 points, its highest level since the beginning of the financial crisis in 2007. Europeans are getting tired of saving and are spending more on consumption. Greater liquidity also means that companies are likely to benefit from improved payment practices.
Juli 30th, 2018 | Company
Roberto Valerio leaves Risk Ident

Roberto Valerio, founder and Managing Director of Risk Ident, will leave the company at the end of the month after the successful establishment of the start-up in order to devote himself to new tasks in the future.
Juli 19th, 2018 | Company
ABOUT YOU becomes Hamburg’s first unicorn

Heartland A/S, the investment holding company of one of Europe’s largest fashion retail groups, Bestseller A/S, is joining ABOUT YOU as a new investor. The investment is part of a financing round of around USD 300 million valuing ABOUT YOU with over USD 1 billion. Thus the Otto Group’s rapidly growing fashion-tech start-up becomes Hamburg’s first ‘unicorn’.
Juli 13th, 2018 | Company
Otto Group raises 300 million euros with hybrid bond

The Otto Group has successfully placed a so-called hybrid bond. The issue was marketed to large institutional investors such as asset managers, insurers and private banks in Germany and other EU countries. This finance instrument was very well received by investors, with the issue twice oversubscribed. The Otto Group has successfully raised 300 million euros with the bond and will pay a coupon of 4.0 percent over the next seven years.
Juni 21st, 2018 | Company
Olaf Schabirosky takes over as CEO of Hermes Germany

At today’s meeting of Hermes Europe’s Supervisory Board, Olaf Schabirosky was appointed CEO of Hermes Germany with immediate effect. His previous responsibilities as Manager Services and Finance will be taken over by Hendrik Schneider as of 1 July 2018. Hendrik Schneider is currently Managing Director of OTTO Shared Services GmbH and in his new role he will also serve as Chief Financial Officer of Hermes Europe. The current CEO Frank Rausch and Chief Operating Officer Dirk Rahn have decided by mutual and amicable agreement to leave Hermes Germany.
Juni 4th, 2018 | Company
collectAI improves Hanseatic Bank’s receivables management

collectAI, the digital receivables management company, has announced its collaboration with Hanseatic Bank today at the European fintech conference Money2020. Hanseatic Bank,a 75 percent subsidiary of Société Générale, is one of the first banks to deploy collectAI’s B2B2C white label solution for digital payment reminders in the segments of credit cards and consumer credits. In the first six months of the collaboration, collectAI’s modern customer communication approach improved Hanseatic Bank’s collection rate by 24 percent in total – 14 percent points up from the previous results. It also reduced the bank’s expenses for receivables management by 88.6 percent in this area.
Mai 18th, 2018 | Company
Marc Opelt becomes Chairman of the OTTO Management Board

Marc Opelt, previously spokesman of the OTTO Management Board, will be appointed chairman with effect from June 1, 2018. This is the first time that the four-member management board of the Otto Group's largest subsidiary has been given a chairman.
Mai 16th, 2018 | Company
Otto Group exceeds growth targets

The international retail and services group continues on its growth track, increasing revenues in the past 2017/18 financial year (to 28 February) with a climb to 13.653 billion euros. This corresponds to an increase of 6.7 percent. At the same time the Otto Group further raised its profitability, clearly exceeding its own targets. Notwithstanding high investments in technology, logistics and new retail concepts, the Otto Group increased its earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) by almost 11 percent to 405 million euros. The Group’s digitised retail saw particularly dynamic growth with a climb of 10.9 percent in online revenues to 7.9 billion euros.
April 11th, 2018 | Company
Hermes Group achieves record sales

In the 2017 financial year, the Hermes Group again achieved double-digit growth and was especially able to evidence profitable gains in central European parcel markets. In this way, adjusted for currency, Hermes increased its turnover by more than 12% to EUR 3.13 billion.
April 5th, 2018 | Company
Hermes-OTTO International and Scan-Thor Group form a Joint Venture

Hermes-OTTO International, the sourcing organisation of the Otto Group and Scan-Thor Group, one of the biggest buying offices in Europe, join forces. Both companies hold a 50 percent stake in the company Otto International Scan-Thor ApS with its head office in Herning, Denmark.
April 4th, 2018 | Company
Otto Group on strong growth path

The international retail and services group has launched the 2017/18 financial year with a new growth strategy. The targets set by the strategy were already exceeded in the first financial year (28 February). According to preliminary figures, the Group, with headquarters in Hamburg, increased revenues more than planned by just under 7 percent. Growth in e-commerce was even more significant. Worldwide, the Otto Group increased its online revenues by 10.9 per cent to EUR 7.8 billion.
März 6th, 2018 | Company
Otto Group global e-commerce revenues grow to 7.76 billion euros

The internationally active retail and services company Otto Group raised its global e-commerce revenues in the 2017/18 financial year (to 28.02.18) to around 7.76 billion euros, according to preliminary estimates. This represents an increase of 10.9 per cent or approximately 760 million euros from existing business. The Group’s online revenues in Germany topped 5.4 billion euros, a rise of 10.2 percent.
Februar 28th, 2018 | Company
Kay Schiebur to become Otto Group Executive Board Member for Services

With effect from 01 April 2018 the renowned retail and logistics manager Kay Schiebur will join the Executive Board of the retail and services company Otto Group as Member for Services. The 49-year-old succeeds Hanjo Schneider who is leaving the Group at his own wish.
Februar 1st, 2018 | Company
collectAI launches in UK with partner Pay360 by Capita

collectAI today announced that it has partnered with Pay360 by Capita and with this its official UK launch. With collectAI as the technology provider, Pay360 will build a branded receivables management solution for its business and government clients.
Januar 30th, 2018 | Company
Christopher Heinemann to leave Manufactum Group Executive Board

Dr Christopher Heinemann (48), Executive Director of the Manufactum Group, has decided not to extend his contract in order to take up new career challenges outside the Otto Group.
Dezember 4th, 2017 | Company
EOS Debt Survey 2017

55 per cent of Russians are ‘debt avoiders’, ahead of Germans (45 per cent) and US Americans (37 per cent). The ‘EOS Debt Survey’ 2017 shows how people deal with debt differently depending on the country they live in. On behalf of financial services provider EOS, social research institute forsa conducted a representative online survey in Germany, the USA and Russia.
November 14th, 2017 | Company
Sven Seidel to become Group Executive Board Member for Retail

With effect from 01 April 2018 the top manager from the Schwarz Group is to become Executive Board Member Multichannel Retail at the Otto Group. The 43 year-old succeeds Neela Montgomery, who has taken over as CEO at the Otto Group company Crate and Barrel at her own wish.
November 2nd, 2017 | Company
Carole Walker leads Hermes Europe

Long-time Chief of Hermes UK has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of Hermes Europe, Hamburg. The experienced and highly successful manager takes over the leadership of all European logistics activities of the Otto Group from Donald Pilz.
Oktober 26th, 2017 | Company
Project A invests in 3i portfolio company Lampenwelt

Berlin-based operational VC Project A today announces its agreement with London-based private equity group 3i to invest in Lampenwelt, Europe's leading online retailer for lighting fixtures.
Oktober 13th, 2017 | Company
Otto Group signs international declaration for more certified wood

Together with other well-known companies, the Otto Group has signed the so-called Vancouver Declaration of the Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) to highlight the need for responsible forest management. Thus, Germany's largest online retailer for furniture emphasises its ambition to offer its customers only wooden furniture products that comply with the standards of the FSC.
Oktober 12th, 2017 | Company
Otto Group half-year results: online retail grows by 10 percent

In the first six months of the 2017/18 financial year (to 28 February) the Otto Group maintained its strong position in online retail and raised its e-commerce turnover by around 10 percent. The development of positive results for the retail and services group continued, with sales increasing by some 7 percent on a like-for-like basis. The Otto Group’s ambitious growth strategy is delivering initial success.
Oktober 10th, 2017 | Company
Every catch your perfect match: ABOUTYOU.NL is launching today

Around 60% of the Dutch population purchases clothing online, and starting on the 10th of October 2017, it will be even more fun and convenient for them to shop online, with the launch of the digital fashion shop ABOUT YOU in the Netherlands.
Oktober 5th, 2017 | Company
collectAI manages 25m Euro in Receivables

collectAI, the service for digital receivables, has processed receivables at a volume of 25m Euro since its foundation in 2016. collectAI automates and digitises invoices, dunning and debt collection processes and is the first digital end-to-end provider in receivables management.
September 13th, 2017 | Company
SevenVentures invests in the Mytoys Group

SevenVentures, the financial investment arm of the ProSiebenSat.1 Media Group, has taken a stake in the form of a media-for-equity investment in the Mytoys Group, part of the Otto Group, Europe’s No. 1 online retailer for family shopping. With overall revenues of EUR 556 million in the 2016/17 financial year, the Mytoys Group is one of Germany’s most successful e-commerce companies. The media-for-equity investment secures SevenVentures GmbH a low single-digit percentage stake.
August 2nd, 2017 | Company
German Partnership for Sustainable Textiles: Otto Group publishes Roadmap

As a member of the German Partnership for Sustainable Textiles initiated by the German Federal Government, the Otto Group has drawn up its own roadmap with individual targets for 2017. Following approval by external auditors, the international retail and services group has voluntarily published its own action plan, and has requested all Partnership members to secure the effectiveness and future viability of the Partnership.
Juni 13th, 2017 | Company
CPI2 and SAC Announce Partnership: Digitalisation Helping Factories to Help Themselves Worldwide

The industry initiative CPI2, launched by the Otto Group in 2012, has established a partnership with the world’s most important platform for the sustainable management of textile supply chains, the Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC). The common goal is to create synergies and minimise the negative social and environmental impact in global supply chains. Both initiatives provide know-how via digital channels, which manufacturers can use to improve their production processes independently and effectively.
Juni 2nd, 2017 | Company
Otto Group issues 300 million-euro bond

Otto Group, the globally active retail and services group, has successfully placed a bond issue totalling 300 million euros with a coupon of 1.875 per cent. The bond has a term of seven years.
Mai 17th, 2017 | Company
Otto Group on strong growth track

The Otto Group, the international retail and services group, achieved a clear rise in profitability in the 2016/17 financial year now closed and raised revenue by 3.4 per cent to 12.5 billion euros. This is the equivalent of 5 per cent turnover growth on a like-for-like basis. On this basis, to drive the Group further on this strong growth track, the Executive Board has a focused strategy and an ambitious target: 17 billion euros annual turnover by 2022 on a like-for-like basis.
Mai 4th, 2017 | Company
Changes on the Otto Group Executive Board

Neela Montgomery, Otto Group Executive Board Member for Multichannel Retail, takes over as her own decision and effective August 1, 2017 as CEO of the Group’s US-company Crate and Barrel, Northbrook, Illinois. Hanjo Schneider, Otto Group Executive Board Member for Services, will leave the Executive Board of the international retail and services group as planned at the end of the year. Both vacancies will be filled in due course.
April 25th, 2017 | Corporate Responsibility
Otto Group expands range of sustainable furniture and intensifies use of FSC®-certified paper

The proportion of FSC-certified products in the overall Otto Group furniture range rose to 46 per cent in 2016. The proportion of FSC-certified paper also rose to 34 per cent, with more sustainable paper being used for catalogues and other advertising materials than in previous years.
April 5th, 2017 | Company
Dr Michael Otto receives German CSR Award 2017

Dr Michael Otto, entrepreneur and Chairman of the Otto Group Supervisory Board, has received the highly renowned ‘German CSR Award for outstanding CSR Engagement’ for his commitment to sustainable business. The award ceremony was held on 04 April as part of the 13th German CSR Forum in Ludwigsburg.
April 3rd, 2017 | Company
Otto Group sells Ratepay to Advent International and Bain Capital Private Equity

The Otto Group has signed an agreement with Advent International (“Advent”) and Bain Capital Private Equity (“Bain Capital”) to sell Ratepay GmbH for an undisclosed sum. It is planned that Ratepay will be integrated with Concardis, the Eschborn-based payment service provider acquired by Advent and Bain Capital in January 2017. The closing of the acquisition of Concardis is still pending. Ratepay will retain its brand and will be managed as an independent company within the Concardis Group.
März 28th, 2017 | Company
Otto Group – growth beats plan, profitability improves

Otto Group, the international retail and services group, increased revenues for the 2016/17 financial year now closed by 5 per cent on a comparable basis, according to preliminary figures. Online revenues rose to almost EUR 7 billion, representing an increase of just under 10 per cent.
März 21st, 2017 | Company
Otto Group significantly increases order quantity for sustainable cotton and saves 33 billion litres of water

In 2016, the Otto Group increased its share of sustainable cotton to 49 percent, thus achieving another success with its ambitious sustainability strategy. Through the use of the certified sustainable cotton with the “Cotton made in Africa” (CmiA) label, more than 33 billion litres of water were saved. With its long-term textile strategy, the international retail and services group also contributes to the UN Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development with its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Customers who buy articles from the Otto Group with the CmiA label thus actively contribute, among other things, to saving the precious resource of water, combatting poverty and improving the future viability of millions of people in Africa.
Februar 21st, 2017 | Company
Forecast 2016/17: Otto Group’s global e-commerce revenues climb by € 615 million to almost € 7 billion

In the current 2016/17 financial year (to 28.02) the Otto Group, the internationally active retail and services group, will raise its e-commerce revenues to almost € 7 billion (according to preliminary estimates). This represents revenue growth in its existing business of almost 10% or € 615 million. The Group’s online business in Germany generated almost € 5 billion, also seeing growth of almost 10%.
Februar 9th, 2017 | Company
Sebastian Klauke to become Chief Digital Officer at the Otto Group

Sebastian Klauke is to strengthen the Otto Group, the globally active retail and services group. A proven digitalisation expert, Klauke will hold the newly created position of Chief Digital Officer (CDO) as of 01 July 2017.
Dezember 20th, 2016 | Company
Change in the Management of the EOS Group

Marwin Ramcke joins the EOS Group’s Board of Directors effective 1 January 2017 and will assume responsibility for the Eastern Europe region, where EOS is represented in 14 countries. Mr Ramcke succeeds Dr Helmut Hufnagel, who has headed the Division since 2015.
Dezember 6th, 2016 | Company
Otto Group announces partial repurchase of bond (ISIN AT0000A0UJL6)

The Otto Group announces that, starting as of today, it will start purchasing part of its 150 million euro bond (Coupon: 4.625%, Maturity: 29 September 2017, ISIN: AT0000A0UJL6) up to a maximum repurchase amount of 30 million euros in the open market. The open market repurchases will end at the latest at the time of maturity of the bond on 29 September 2017.
September 23rd, 2016 | Company
Otto Group founds Otto Group Digital Solutions

In founding Otto Group Digital Solutions (OGDS) the Otto Group’s objectives are to identify and develop attractive new business models in the retail-related service sector and establish these in the market. Responsibility for the Group’s major digital service companies will be held under the OGDS umbrella from now on.
September 14th, 2016 | Company
Damartex Group and 3SI Group are engaged in talks for the acquisition of 3 Pagen

The Damartex Group and the 3SI Group announced that they have begun exclusive negotiations in view to the acquisition by the Damartex Group of 100% of the 3 Pagen’ shares. Negotiations are expected to conclude shortly, with a definitive agreement signed by the end of September 2016.
September 6th, 2016 | Company
e.ventures announces Arnulf Keese as General Partner in European Office

e.ventures, a leading global venture capital firm for almost two decades, today announced the appointment of Arnulf Keese as General Partner in its Berlin office, the firm’s European hub. Keese joins European partners, Andreas Haug, Christian Leybold, and Bernardo Hernandez, in addition to North American partners Mathias Schilling and Tom Gieselmann. As e.ventures continues to add subject matter expertise to its investment team, e.ventures’ core commitment to hiring the best and brightest is reinforced, thereby ensuring the firm's longevity and success.
August 15th, 2016 | Company
EOS Consolidated impresses with outstanding result

EOS Consolidated, which is headquartered in Hamburg, recorded a successful performance in fiscal 2015/16. Its EBT of EUR 181.4 million was well above the previous year’s result. The international debt collection company was also able to increase its sales to EUR 596.1 million.
Juli 21st, 2016 | Company
Otto Group pitches short-term bond to institutional investors

Owing to the current interest rate environment, where many banks are demanding penalty interest rates on their customers’ cash deposits, the Otto Group is offering institutional investors a safe haven for their liquidity with no loss of value. The global retail and services group has issued a 50 million euro bond with a three-month term and an annual interest rate of 0.14 percent.
Juli 5th, 2016 | Company
EOS acquires French/Belgian debt collection service provider Contentia

On 1 July 2016, the international EOS Group acquired 100% of the shares in debt collection service provider Contentia in France and Belgium. The EOS Group already has a successful debt collection company in each of the two countries.
Juni 30th, 2016 | Company
3SI Group sells multichannel stock-clearance business Cogemag-Excédence

Following a private sale process, the 3SI Group today signed an agreement to sell its multichannel stock-clearance business, Cogemag-Excédence, to Artmadis, BtoB distributors and France’s leading tableware and cookware company.
Juni 29th, 2016 | Corporate Responsibility
Otto Group expands FSC®-certified furniture assortment

The share of sustainable products in terms of the Otto Group’s overall furniture assortment increased to 43% in 2015. As the largest online furniture retailer in the German-speaking region, the Group is a leader in this segment.
Juni 22nd, 2016 | Company
Generational change at the helm of EOS Group: Klaus Engberding to become CEO

Klaus Engberding, responsible for the region Germany on the EOS Group Board of Directors, will take over the CEO position of the international leading provider of receivables management effective 1 March 2017. Hans-Werner Scherer, the current long-time and extremely successful CEO, is leaving the Group of his own volition in order to retire.
Juni 15th, 2016 | Company
Series A: Homeday Wins Project A and Paua Ventures as Investors

Cologne-based start-up Homeday announced the successful closing of their Series A financing round today. In May this year, the renowned venture capital companies Project A and Paua Ventures committed among others to investing a seven-figure amount in the rapidly growing company, which is active in the field of property technology (called “PropTech”) and has chosen to specialize in particular in the data-driven pairing of real estate agents with appropriate customers.
Juni 14th, 2016 | Company
New executive management team at Bonprix

With Bonprix CEO Dr Marcus Ackermann’s move to the Otto Group Executive Board as of 01 January 2017, the international fashion company will have a reshaped executive management team. Bonprix’s own Markus Fuchshofen and OTTO’s Dr Richard Gottwald will join the current Executive Directors Rien Jansen and Dr Kai Heck on the Bonprix Executive Board.
Juni 13th, 2016 | Company
Otto Group successfully issues 250 million euro bond

The internationally active retail and services company Otto Group has successfully placed a 250 million euro bond issue. The note carries a seven-year term and a 2.5 percent coupon.
Juni 1st, 2016 | Company
Lost My Name: Project A Invests €4 Million alongside other partners

Early stage investor and operational VC Project A has announced an investment of 4 million euros in Lost My Name, one of the leading creators of personalized children’s content. With this extension of the Series A round, Project A joins the circle of renowned international investors, including lead investor Google Ventures, Greycroft and Allen & Co. Project A’s founding partner Florian Heinemann will also join the company’s board. Lost My Name’s first personalized children’s book “The Little Boy/Girl Who Lost His/Her Name” was one of the bestselling children’s book globally in 2015. With their second book, “The Incredible Intergalactic Journey Home”, they are well on their way to repeat this success.
Mai 31st, 2016 | Company
3SI Group confirms the acquisition of Girard-Agediss and the sale of Becquet

Further to the approval of the French Competition Authority, 3SI Group has signed, on 30 May, the acquisition of Girard-Agediss, the French leader in the delivery of bulky items and furniture to professional customers, private individuals and internet users. Further to an open transfer process, 3SI Group has signed, on 31 May, the sale of Becquet to Domoti, a well-known distance seller headquartered in Marquette-lez-Lille.
Mai 25th, 2016 | Company
Otto Group: successful turnaround

In the 2015/16 financial year (as at 29 February 2016) the globally active retail and services company Otto Group, Hamburg, achieved the targeted turnaround in its major business areas. The strategic initiatives previously announced by Hans-Otto Schrader, Chairman of the Otto Group Executive Board and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Otto Group, including the clear reinforcement of the Group’s core businesses, investments in digital transformation and new business models, the restructuring of some Group companies and the rationalisation of the company portfolio, were consistently and successfully implemented.
Mai 19th, 2016 | Company
E.ventures brings new capital to support full investment lifecycle

Today, e.ventures is announcing the closing of a new $150 million early stage fund to target Europe’s best businesses and entrepreneurs, bringing e.ventures’ total assets under management today to more than $1 billion. This new fund, focused on seed and Series A rounds, will be deployed alongside an already active $290 million global growth investment vehicle which targets subsequent financing rounds, allowing entrepreneurs to gain the full benefit of e.ventures’ expertise through the full investment lifecycle.
Mai 17th, 2016 | Company
Alexander Birken named as Chairman of the Otto Group Executive Board

On 1 January 2017, Alexander Birken, Member of the Executive Board Otto Group, Multichannel Distance Selling, Spokesman OTTO, will take over as Chairman of the Executive Board at the international retail and services group. Long-serving CEO Hans-Otto Schrader is to step down at his own wish, having reached the age limit of 60 for Otto Group Executive Board Members.
April 20th, 2016 | Company
Outpacing the market: Hermes Group achieves double-digit growth in 2015

The Hermes Group, continuing years of successful growth, also records impressive figures in the 2015 fiscal year. The trade and logistics services provider based in Hamburg has increased its turnover by 11% to €2,460 million (€2,230 million in 2014). A key contributor to this was the fast-growing international parcel and logistics business, driven by the booming e-commerce.
April 11th, 2016 | Company
Junomedical Launches Digital Medical Treatment Hub

Digital Health startup launches platform providing global access to high quality medical treatments.
März 31st, 2016 | Company
Otto Group with a flying start into the new financial year

The retail and services company Otto Group, Hamburg, looks back on a successful 2015/16 financial year (to 29 February 2016), characterised by very satisfactory growth at the large core companies and a consistent reorganisation of the company portfolio.
März 25th, 2016 | Company
The 3SI Group sells its retail activities

As part of its new strategic course to focus on growing service activities, the 3SI Group has decided to sell all of its retail activities in France, Belgium, Spain, Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic.
März 7th, 2016 | Company
Hermes Subsidiary BorderGuru becomes Logistics Partner of Alibaba and Cainiao

BorderGuru, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Hermes Group, has become the official contractual partner of China's Alibaba Group. With a gross merchandise value (GMV) of 452 bn USD and access to over 280 million customers, the Alibaba Group is currently the world's leading online retailer. Through its TMall Global shopping platform, Alibaba offers its Chinese customers popular international brands. On behalf of Cainiao, the logistics provider of the Chinese trading giant, BorderGuru GmbH is managing the whole logistics cross-border shipping process for European clients looking to sell on the booming Chinese market.
März 1st, 2016 | Company
Otto Group sells Alba Moda to Klingel Group

As part of its divestment strategy announced in 2015, the globally active retail and services group is to sell its subsidiary Alba Moda GmbH to K-Mail Order GmbH & Co KG. The relevant anti-trust authorities have already approved the deal.
Februar 15th, 2016 | Company
Camaïeu chooses Dispeo’s expertise for its multi-channel logistics

Order-picking logistics specialist Dispeo has just welcomed a new customer on board: Camaïeu. As part of a partnership due to begin in July 2016, France’s leading female clothing retailer will be availing itself of Dispeo’s services for its e-commerce activities and store flows management.
Februar 10th, 2016 | Company
Forecast 2015/16: Otto Group e-commerce revenues rise to 6.6 billion euros

Otto Group, the internationally active retail and services group, is set to increase its global e-commerce revenues in the current financial year 2015/16 (to 29.02.16) by 400 million to 6.6 billion euros. According to the latest forecast the Group’s German online business has performed even better, with the Group generating a total of 4.4 billion euros, 10 per cent more than in the previous financial year.
Januar 27th, 2016 | Company
SportScheck: Chief Digital Officer joins the management board

Jan Kegelberg, who has taken over the newly created position of a Chief Digital Officer at SportScheck in Munich in August, joins the management board of the company on February 1, 2016. In this role, he will be responsible for e-commerce sales, marketing and customer intelligence.
Januar 25th, 2016 | Employees
MYTOYS GROUP launches TechLab in Madrid

The Mytoys Group, one of Germany's most successful E-Commerce companies, will open its first technology location outside Germany. MYTOYS plans to open a TechLab in Madrid.
Januar 13th, 2016 | Partner
The Otto Group partners with PowaTag to drive mobile engagement

The Otto Group has announced a partnership with Powa Technologies to secure and enhance their position in the modern retail market. This partnership will provide millions of customers of the Otto Group with a quick and simple way to shop and engage with its brands online, in-store and on the go. With mCommerce sales set to reach $626bn per annum in less than two years time*, the free mobile app PowaTag enables users to complete purchases in seconds by interacting with triggers including QR codes, beacons, audio signals as well as through links found on social media.
Januar 11th, 2016 | Company
The 3SI Group invests over €15 million in its subsidiary Mondial Relay

To support the strong growth of its subsidiary's activities and to enable it to increase its market share in a rapidly expanding sector, the 3SI Group has introduced a plan to mechanise all of its Mondial Relay branches.
Dezember 21st, 2015 | Company
Euler Hermes and EOS announce the sale of its joint venture Bürgel to CRIF

Euler Hermes, the worldwide leader in trade credit insurance, and EOS, the international provider of financial services, announce today an agreement signed on Friday, 18 December 2015 with CRIF, a global company providing credit information services, credit and software solutions, headquartered in Bologna, Italy - for the share purchase of Bürgel Group (Bürgel). 100% of the shares will be transferred to CRIF.
Dezember 2nd, 2015 | Company
Everett Hutt takes over as CEO of the French 3SI Holding

The former Chief Financial Officer Everett Hutt (46) will take over as CEO of the 3SI Holding in December 2015. Denis Terrien (50), who has managed the transformation of 3SI Group since 2009, is leaving the company at his own wish and in best consent.
November 24th, 2015 | Company
Otto Group withdraws Yapital from B2C market

Otto Group, the retail and services group, has taken this step as a result of the highly competitive but slow-developing digital-payment business. While Yapital will no longer service the end-consumer market as of 31 January 2016, it will remain active as an e-money institution in the business-to-business (B2B) market.
November 12th, 2015 | Partner
Otto Group and JD.com in joint venture deal

The Otto Group and leading Chinese online marketplace JD.com have embarked on a joint venture that incorporates Otto’s subsidiary, Zitra GmbH. The purpose of this venture is to increase international e-commerce between Europe and China, with Zitra™ acting as an independent full-service provider to connect international brands with the leading marketplaces.
Oktober 7th, 2015 | Company
Study confirms we can shop online with a clear conscience

As of today another broad-based misconception is laid to rest, that ‘online retail is more climate-damaging than over-the-counter (OTC) retail. Transporting goods from the online retailer to the end-customer is more efficient and causes less climate-destabilising emissions – even if we include returns, which are a major factor in the retail sector’s parcel distribution. This is the result of the latest study carried out by the Deutsches CleanTech Institut (DCTI) under the heading: ‘Climate friendly shopping – a comparative perspective of online retail and over-the-counter retail’, commissioned by the Otto Group and Hermes.
September 29th, 2015 | Employees
Otto Group launches innovative jobs platform

A new website – with a brand-new feature: with its freshly-launched JobFinder app, from today the Otto Group provides a complete overview of job vacancies within the Group, in over 20 countries and in its 123 major companies. The app is available for download from the completely redesigned Otto Group homepage, which ensures optimal display on all end-devices thanks to Responsive Design.
August 25th, 2015 | Company
Sportscheck Under New Management

Sportscheck, Germany's leading multichannel sports retailer, reorganises its Executive Board.
August 17th, 2015 | Company
Crate and Barrel names Steve Woodward as President and Chief Merchant

Global home furnishings retailer Crate and Barrel is pleased to announce that Steve Woodward will be joining the company as President and Chief Merchant effective August 24, 2015.
Juli 30th, 2015 | Company
Dr Müller-Wünsch appointed new Member of the OTTO Management

Dr Michael Müller-Wünsch (53) will assume the position of Member of the OTTO Management Board Technology (CIO) as of 1 August 2015. With this newly created position and the associated expansion of its independent IT organisation, the online retailer is taking another decisive step forward in the digitalisation of its business model.
Juli 30th, 2015 | Corporate Responsibility
Otto Group achieves clear reduction in CO2 emissions, reaffirms 70 per cent reduction target by 2040

In its Sustainability Report published today, the Otto Group has stated that it reduced its location-, transport- and mobility-related CO2 emissions in 2014 by 24 per cent compared to 2006. The international retail group is thus well on the way towards achieving its climate target of halving CO2 emissions by 2020 and achieving a 70 per cent reduction by 2040.
Juli 9th, 2015 | Company
Blue Yonder launches Forward Pricing, giving e-commerce retailers artificial intelligence for price optimization

Blue Yonder, Europe's leading provider of predictive applications in the cloud, has launched Forward Pricing to ensure e-commerce retailers set the optimum price for individual items and understand the effects price changes have on sales.
Juni 18th, 2015 | Company
3SI Group will transfer ownership of Cité Numérique to two industrial groups specialising in the production of digital communication solutions: ComClever and Imalliance

Following an open divestiture process, ownership of Cité Numérique and its two brands – Quais de l’image and Naos Publishing – has been transferred to two industrial groups operating in the same sector of activity: ComClever, a group with three companies specialising in the production of digital communication solutions (ViewOn, Krealid and SVD) and Imalliance, a group specialising in image production – photos, videos, 3D images – with 3 studios under its name Studio Collet, Donkeyshot and Paul et Berthe.
Juni 2nd, 2015 | Company
Otto Group calls for an international textile alliance

The Executive Board of the Otto Group has decided to join the Partnership for Sustainable Textiles initiated by the German Federal Government. As a result, Germany’s largest textile retailer will transform its active role in co-shaping the negotiations into a formal membership. At the same time, prior to the G7 summit in Germany, the Otto Group calls for a textile alliance at international level.
Mai 20th, 2015 | Company
Otto Group launches data-driven advertising start-up – Torsten Ahlers appointed as CEO

The Otto Group is entering the data-driven advertising business in the current financial year. Otto Group Media, the newly-founded 100 per cent Group company, is to focus on user-based marketing and advertising-space selection. To do this it has appointed renowned industry expert Torsten Ahlers as Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
Mai 20th, 2015 | Company
Solid growth at core businesses

The Otto Group, Hamburg, ended the 2014/15 financial year (as at 28 February) with a slight increase in revenue and a clear drop in earnings. Although the retail and services group increased revenue by 0.5 per cent to 12.057 billion euros (Germany: +1.1 per cent to 7.139 billion euros), EBIT fell from 401 to 79 million euros.
Mai 20th, 2015 | Company
Rainer Hillebrand’s Executive Board contract extended

The Otto Group Supervisory Board has decided to extend Deputy Executive Board Chairman Dr Rainer Hillebrand’s contract, due to expire at the end of April 2016, for another three years. Petra-Scharner Wolff is due to become the international retail and services Group's Executive Board Member for Finance on 1 June 2015.
April 20th, 2015 | Company
Benjamin Otto to become Managing Partner at Otto Group

Entrepreneur Benjamin Otto has decided to take on an active role for the Otto Group as Managing Partner. With effect from 1 June 2015, the 39-year-old will hand over his tasks as CEO of Collins, the successful Otto Group startup, to joint Managing Director Tarek Müller, and help manage the ongoing transformation process for the international retail and services group from within various supervisory bodies and group companies.
April 2nd, 2015 | Company
Dr Otto secures the Otto Group

Dr Michael Otto, the Otto Group’s majority shareholder and Chairman of its Supervisory Board, has transferred his shares in the Otto Group to a foundation. This secures the future of the international retail and services group as a family-owned business with its head office in Hamburg.
März 26th, 2015 | Company
Otto Group: solid growth in core business

Premilinary figures of the Otto Group for financial year 2014/15: Overall revenues rise by 0.5 per cent to 12.057 billion euros +++ Double-digit growth in the Services segment +++ E-commerce revenues increase to just under 6.5 billion euros +++ Substantial investment in IT, logistics and new business models
März 16th, 2015 | Corporate Responsibility
Significantly more textiles with sustainable cotton

Otto Group, the international retail group, was able to increase its order quantities for sustainable cotton last year by 50 per cent. Over 10 million articles were marketed within the “Cotton made in Africa” initiative alone.
Februar 18th, 2015 | Company
Otto Group invests in innovative start-ups worldwide

In the coming financial year 2015/2016, the Otto Group plans a high double-digit million investment in the venture capital business. With this move, the international retail and services group will build on its position as one of the largest and most successful venture capital providers in Germany.
Februar 12th, 2015 | Company
Univers-Running.com chooses Dispeo to accelerate its race to expand

In line with its goals, 3SI Group subsidiary and e-commerce order-picking specialist Dispeo is pursuing its growth drive by taking Univers-Running.com on board. In the long term, this collaboration is intended to support the growth curve of France's second-ranked online trail running and racing retailer. Set to launch on 1 March 2015, this partnership will cover the entire logistics chain, from goods reception to distribution and returns management.
Dezember 16th, 2014 | Company
Warburg Pincus commits $75 Million to german Big Data Analytics and Predictive Applications Player Blue Yonder

Blue Yonder, a leading provider of Big Data analytics and Predictive Applications, today announced that an affiliate of Warburg Pincus, a global private equity firm focused on growth investing, has committed $75 million to support the Company’s further growth and expansion.
November 24th, 2014
Petra Scharner-Wolff to become new Otto Group Executive Board Member for Finance

Changes in the Otto Group Executive Board planned well in advance: Petra-Scharner-Wolff, Member of the Management Board for the single company OTTO, is set to become Executive Board Member for Finance for the retail and services group as of 1 October 2015. The current Executive Board Member for Finance, Jürgen Schulte-Laggenbeck, intends to accept a fresh career challenge outside the Otto Group. This decision is pending approval of the respective decision-making committees.
Oktober 22nd, 2014 | Company
Sporting success: adidas starts co-operation with Hermes NexTec

Hermes NexTec, specialist for international full-service e-commerce solutions, developed a new online shop concept for German adidas Group, global leader in the sporting goods industry. adidas specialty sports combines products of 9 different sports under one roof and has been launched in the 2nd quarter of 2014. Started in 15 European countries, a roll-out to further regions all over the world is planned.
September 16th, 2014 | Company
showroomprive.com chooses Dispeo to handle its European order picking in a partnership projected to create around 400 jobs.

A year after launching France's largest order picking centre for online retailers, Dispeo has announced that it has signed a major contract with a front-runner in Europe's e-commerce industry: showroomprive.com. This long-term collaboration constitutes a ringing endorsement of the 3SI Group strategy that is based on two key pillars: e-commerce and e-commerce services. This partnership will ultimately lead to the creation of around 400 jobs in Nord.
September 5th, 2014 | Company
Neela Montgomery to become Group Executive Board Member for Multichannel Retail

As of 1 November 2014 the internationally experienced manager Neela Montgomery will join the Executive Board of the retail and services company Otto Group, with responsibility for Multichannel Retail.
September 1st, 2014 | Company
Otto Group expands Haldensleben logistics centre further

One of Europe’s biggest warehousing logistics sites is about to get even bigger. The Otto Group is set to make an investment in the mid-double-digit millions in the Haldensleben facility, thus creating more than 350 new jobs. Today the Hermes Fulfilment-operated logistics centre already picks and dispatches up to 300,000 parcels daily.
August 6th, 2014 | Company
Crate and Barrel Announces Leadership Change

Today, leading home furnishings retailer Crate and Barrel announces a change in its top leadership. Following the recent resignation of CEO Sascha Bopp, the company’s COO and CFO Adrian Mitchell has assumed interim leadership of the company.
Mai 21st, 2014 | Company
Otto Group raises profitability

In the 2013/14 financial year now closed (as at 28 February) the Otto Group increased its turnover in line with planning to EUR 12 billion and achieved a clear improvement in earnings. EBIT improved by 1.5 per cent to reach EUR 392 million, with profit for the year rising by a strong 23 per cent to EUR 179 million. Thanks to numerous strategic initiatives and technology investments the internationally active group of companies continues to expand its position as the world’s second-largest online retailer.
März 26th, 2014 | Company
Otto Group increases turnover to 12 billion euros

Preliminary figures of the Otto Group for the 2013/14 financial year
März 18th, 2014 | Corporate Responsibility
Otto Group and Aid by Trade Foundation enable 2,900 children in Zambia to attend school

2,900 children will get a chance at education with the ceremonial opening of six schools in Zambia. The schools are the result of a social project to promote educational infrastructure in Zambia the Otto Group launched in cooperation with the Aid by Trade Foundation in July 2011.
März 6th, 2014 | Company
E-commerce turnover: Otto Group clears 6 bn€ hurdle

In the past financial year the Otto Group generated online turnover of over 6 billion euros worldwide according to initial forecasts, some 400 million more than in the previous year. Through its ‘Mobil First’ initiative the retail and services group intends to benefit from the growing trend towards smartphones and tablets and to generate half of its online traffic via these mobile terminals by 2016.
Februar 19th, 2014 | Company
Dr. Timm Homann to leave the Otto Group

Dr Timm Homann, Member of the Executive Board, Multichannel Retail Otto Group, is to leave the globally active retail and services group at his own wish to take up a new professional challenge.
Dezember 12th, 2013 | Corporate Responsibility
5,800 tonnes less CO2: Otto Group parcel distribution climate-friendlier than ever

Christmastime is parceltime. Customers buying presents from Otto Group companies can order with a good environmental conscience: in the current financial year the Group’s logistics-services provider Hermes has once again reduced CO2 emissions per Otto Group delivery by some 1.6 per cent compared to the previous year − a total reduction of around 5,800 tonnes. The Group thus continues to make successful progress in CO2 emissions reduction, as this represents a notable reduction of 21.1 per cent compared to the 2011/12 financial year.
November 27th, 2013 | Company
Change in the top management of Limango Group Turkey

Ahmet Erten is appointed as new General Manager of Limango Turkey. Together with Umur Özkal, General Manager of OGLI, he is responsible for the activities of the Otto Group in Turkey. Gulfem Toygar, founder and the CEO of Limango Turkey, arabulvar and OGLI, decided to follow a different carrier opportunity.
November 21st, 2013 | Company
New corporate structure of current 3SI group is taking shape

After the board of directors of the 3SI group has accepted the offer of the Otto Group, to completely takeover the BtoC e-commerce and the service activities, a new organisation will take effect on 1st January 2014. Denis Terrien will become Chairman of the new 3SI Holding SAS. Paul Nijhof is announced as the CEO of the BtoC activities.
Oktober 16th, 2013 | Company
Axel Springer engages in Project A Ventures

Axel Springer AG is engaging in Project A Ventures with 30 million euros. The company specializes in funding and establishing start-ups in the fields of internet, mobile and online advertising technologies. Project A Ventures was founded in January 2012 by its managing directors Florian Heinemann, Uwe Horstmann, Thies Sander and Christian Weiss in cooperation with the Otto Group. The Otto Group remains the leading investor with 50 million euros of committed capital.
September 19th, 2013 | Company
Employee representatives from Groupe 3SI clear the way for take-over

The Otto Group can completely take over the BtoC e-commerce and the service activities of the French Groupe 3SI. The employees of the companies concerned agreed to the offer, so that the Board of Directors of the French e-commerce and services group gave green light for the takeover bid. The new organization will take effect on 1 January 2014.
August 20th, 2013 | Company
Further investment of 50 million euros: Otto Group Russia intends to expand its market leadership in e-commerce

In just seven years, the Otto Group has developed from being a newcomer to the market leader in the Russian distance retail. To maintain this strong position the worldwide-operating trade and services group plans to invest in addition 50 million euros in Russia. The focus is mainly in the development of logistics services. About 700 new jobs will thus be created.
Juli 31st, 2013 | Company
Gesundheitsmanagement der Otto Group erhält Zertifizierung nach ISO 9001:2008

Die Otto Group hat die Zertifizierung ihres betrieblichen Gesundheitsmanagements aktiv.net nach dem Regelwerk ISO 9001:2008 erfolgreich bestanden. Der Qualitätsnachweis gilt für die Umsetzung von Dienstleistungen in den Bereichen Arbeitssicherheit, Arbeitsmedizin, Sozialberatung und Gesundheitsförderung. Die Otto Group ist damit der erste deutsche Handelskonzern, dessen betriebliches Gesundheitsmanagement nach der weltweit anerkannten Norm zertifiziert wurde.
Juni 27th, 2013 | Company
Otto Group submits an offer to acquire a part of the 3SI Group

The Otto Group aims to fully acquire the BtoC e-commerce and services activities of 3SI Group and has therefore submitted a take-over bid. The objective is to further support the new step of BtoC development through a simplified shareholder structure and to lead them into a successful future as e-driven companies.
Juni 17th, 2013 | Company
Otto Group acquires NetImpact and Creative-Task digital service agencies

With immediate effect, the Otto Group has taken over the Hamburg-based NetImpact and Creative-Task digital service agencies. The entire team headed by Managing Directors Tarek Müller and Sebastian Betz will be supporting the world’s largest online retailer for fashion and lifestyle in the development of new e-commerce business models.
Juni 11th, 2013 | Company
FOKUS: Structures agreed

Project FOKUS plans to lead the OTTO, Baur and Schwab brands into a sustainably successful future. All three companies will also continue to operate independently in the market in future too, but will clearly benefit from synergies. To achieve this, as a first step the brands’ profiles are to be significantly sharpened and key investments for the future made. In line with the strategic orientation, the new organisational structures have now also been negotiated and agreed between employer and employee representatives.
Mai 16th, 2013 | Corporate Responsibility
The Otto Group is signatory to the Fire Prevention Agreement in Bangladesh

The Otto Group is one of the supporters of the Building and Fire Protection Agreement developed by the worldwide trade union associations IndustriALL and UNI, the Clean Clothes Campaign (CCC), the Workers’ Rights Consortium (WRC) and the national trade unions in Bangladesh.
Mai 15th, 2013 | Company
Annual Financial Statements Conference 2012/13: Otto Group achieves clear profit increase

The Otto Group closed the 2012/13 financial year (as at 28 February) with moderate growth and a clearly improved profit result. The Group’s turnover rose by 1.6 per cent to reach 11.8 billion euros, while profit (EBIT) rose by 50 per cent to 388 million euros.
Mai 2nd, 2013 | Company
FOKUS: Negotiations almost wrapped up

With FOKUS, last year the Otto Group launched one of the most important future-orientated projects in recent years. Negotiations between employee and employer representatives on the balance of interests and the social plan are now almost concluded. It already seems likely that the remaining number of full-time jobs to be shed will probably be less than half of the 700 originally announced.
April 30th, 2013 | Company
Quelle.de relaunches with a new business concept

The former retail platform quelle.de is relaunching as an online shop with a reengineered business model as of 2 May 2013. The focus will remain on the Consumer Electronics and Living assortments.
April 5th, 2013 | Company
Otto Group set to invest 300 million euros in e-commerce projects and achieve 8 billion in online turnover by 2015

The Group aims to continue to benefit from the dynamic development of online retail and plans to invest some 300 million euros by 2015. On the one hand the Group aims to drive the development of promising start-ups, and on the other hand to further develop its existing multichannel retailers.
März 27th, 2013 | Company
Otto Group reports sustainable growth

In the 2012/13 financial year (to 28 February 2013), according to preliminary calculations the Otto Group, Hamburg, increased its turnover by 1.7 per cent from 11.6 billion to 11.8 billion euros. “In a fiercely competitive global environment, the Otto Group had a successful year. The Group saw a twin benefit from the dynamic development of e-commerce: both the Group’s online retail turnovers as well as turnover in the Financial Services and Service business segments grew above average. Development in Russia was very positive, where market-leader Otto Group Russia once again achieved a double-digit turnover increase.
Februar 11th, 2013 |
Less air in the box: Otto Group reduces annual transport volume by more than 500 truckloads

The Otto Group processes over 125 million deliveries annually for its customers through the Group’s own logistics service provider, Hermes. About 40 per cent of this is delivered as parcels. Now, the internationally active retail and service group has optimised the size of its boxes: this reduces the transport volume in the delivery of goods ordered from companies in the Otto Group by more than 500 truckloads per year. The benefit for the environment and efficiency means that some 170 tonnes of CO2 emissions can be eliminated.
Januar 30th, 2013 | Company
Otto Group invests in stress prevention

The results of the ‘Stressreport 2012’ presented on 29 January, 2013 in Berlin reveal that an increasing number of employees are suffering from stress in the workplace. The Otto Group has already been investing for years in a long-term operational health-management system, in order to identify stress-related illnesses among employees in good time and to implement preventative measures.
Januar 9th, 2013 | Company
Using the smartphone to get a new job

Mobile recruiting is on the rise bringing with it an increase in mobile job searches. In-line with this latest trend, the Otto Group’s mobile career portal m.ottogroup.com/careers is now even easier to use, more informative and features many practical tools for job seekers. The smartphone versions of the Otto Group’s and multichannel retailer OTTO’s corporate websites have also been given a complete new makeover.
Dezember 17th, 2012 | Corporate Responsibility
School project in Zambia: planning phase complete, children from 1,200 households to have access to education

The Otto Group and the Aid by Trade Foundation launched a project in 2011 to support school infrastructure in Zambia. Now, locations for nine planned schools are settled and the expansion of the largest school is almost complete. Construction of additional schools has begun. OTTO supports this action before Christmas with an appeal for donations to the construction of a well.
November 22nd, 2012 | Company
Otto Group acquires brand rights and domains from Neckermann.de

The Otto Group has acquired the rights in the Neckermann.de GmbH insolvency proceedings to the Neckermann.de brand and its own brands in Germany. The trademark rights thus acquired include the use of the German brands, logos and Internet domains.
Oktober 23rd, 2012 | Company
Otto Group issues 300-million euro seven-year bond

The Otto Group, a trading and services group based in Hamburg, is utilising the current attractive capital-market environment to issue an additional bond today with a nominal volume of 300 million euros. The bond has a maturity of seven years and a coupon of 3.875 percent. This bond issue represents a further milestone in the Otto Group’s long-term finance strategy.
September 20th, 2012 | Company
Otto Group leads OTTO, Baur and Schwab into the future

From a position of strength the Otto Group is investing in the further development of the OTTO, Baur and Schwab brands with its future-orientated Project FOKUS. The current status of the project shows clearly what shape the future brand profiles, investments and organisational structures will take.
September 20th, 2012 | Company
Quelle.de will offer own online assortment

The online marketplace quelle.de with assortments from external brands and retailers undergoes a strategic reorganisation. Modelling the successful example of Quelle in Austria, Switzerland and Russia, quelle.de reboots as an attractive source of brand-name electronics and home-furnishing goods with its own product assortments.
September 20th, 2012 | Company
Otto Group decentralises IT

The Otto Group distances itself from the move towards introducing a standard software package for the entire Group. Instead, all companies in the Otto Group will now plan and implement their own IT solutions.
September 13th, 2012 | Company
Benjamin Otto joins the Otto Group

On 1 October 2012 Benjamin Otto assumes responsibility as Chief Executive Officer for a new Otto Group start-up in the e-commerce sector. The entrepreneur becomes the third generation of the Otto family to join the executive management circle of the family-owned Group.
August 31st, 2012 | Multichannel retail
Otto Group reports high growth in mobile commerce

Retail commerce via mobile devices such as smartphones and tablet PCs is booming. At the Otto Group the number of website visits in Germany has trebled within a year, with gross turnover levels growing even more strongly, almost quadrupling. The leader in mobile commerce is the USA: at Crate and Barrel, an Otto Group company, nearly one in every four customers now browses the online shop using a mobile device.
Juni 20th, 2012 | Company
Financial Press Conference 2011/12

Otto Group invests in core business, e-commerce and high-growth world markets
Juni 11th, 2012 | Company
Changes to the Otto Group Executive Board - Appointment of a Management Board for the company OTTO

Otto Group, the international retail and services company, has given its Executive Board a new and clear allocation of executive functions. The goal is consistent separation of responsibility for the Group and for the company OTTO. Taking effect on August 1, 2012, the responsibilities of the Otto Group Board Members Dr Rainer Hillebrand, Alexander Birken and Dr Michael Heller will therefore change. In order to emphasise the autonomy and significance of OTTO's core business, a Management Board will be nominated below the Group Executive Board and will focus exclusively on the fortunes of the company OTTO.
Juni 1st, 2012 | Company
New management for the successful Otto Group Russia

The Otto Group has appointed home-shopping sector and Russia expert Martin Schierer as Chief Executive Officer for Otto Group Russia’s management team. Former CEO Josef Teeken leaves the Russian Group company for personal reasons.
Mai 15th, 2012 | Corporate Responsibility
A unique tool for measuring wellbeing at work: the OTTO ‘Health Index’ is setting new standards in holistic health management

Healthy, motivated and highly capable employees constitute the greatest potential in the German economy – and also the greatest challenge. With its ‘Health Index’, OTTO, the Hamburg-based mail order company, has created a new instrument that is unique nationwide in Germany. This index enables weak spots to be identified in the health promotion programme and preventive measures to be taken. This can raise the efficiency and wellbeing of employees at work and effectively reduce absenteeism. In the results now available for 2012, OTTO has achieved an above-average index value of 63.
Mai 10th, 2012 | Company
Otto Group goes for market leadership in Brazil's e-commerce

The Otto Group has founded a joint company with the Brazilian mail order company Posthaus to drive forward the e-commerce business in the South American country. The Group subsidiaries Bonprix and Arqueonautas are spearheading the campaign. At the same time, the Web-enabling provider NexTec is starting up in Brazil to support retailers in their entry to the Brazilian e-commerce marketplace. The Otto Group is now active in Brazil with all three of its business segments, Multichannel Retail, Services and Financial Services.
Mai 1st, 2012 | Corporate Responsibility
Active climate protection pays dividends

The Otto Group exchanges all conventional external lighting at its headquarters in Hamburg for energy-saving LED lighting technology.
April 3rd, 2012 | Company
Otto Group grows revenues to 11.6 billion euros

Preliminary figures of the Otto Group for the financial year 2011/2012
März 28th, 2012 | Corporate Responsibility
Otto Group offers ‘clima-tarian’ food at three company canteens in Hamburg-Bramfeld

As of April, on Wednesdays the Otto Group’s Kochwerk canteen staff is to offer special climate-friendly dishes for lunch at three of the Group headquarters’ company canteens in Hamburg-Bramfeld and at bonprix. Known as Project Climate Dish, this joint venture between the Otto Group and Greenflux e.V. was initiated by Hamburg university students and doctoral candidates. The project supports the Group’s overall objective of reducing CO2 emissions in all of the company’s core processes, instead of simply compensating for it.
März 21st, 2012 | Company
Otto Group issues first corporate bond on Vienna Stock Exchange

To coincide with OTTO Austria’s 20th anniversary this year, the Otto Group is issuing a EUR 150m corporate bond that will be placed on the Vienna Stock Exchange’s Third Market. The organisation’s controlling company, Otto (GmbH & Co KG), Hamburg, is the issuer.
März 20th, 2012 | Financial services
Otto Group continues to expand Financial Services with Yapital

The Otto Group is investing in innovative payment services. With the Yapital brand, consumers will be able to make payments easily and securely from next year.
Februar 9th, 2012 | Company
Otto Group – Leader in applicant communications

A top quality career website, easy online application options, and cutting-edge social media and mobile communication – the Otto Group is one of the best companies for online communication in Germany. A Germany-wide comparison of the renowned Potentialpark Ranking reveals the company from Hamburg to be No. 3 in digital communication with applicants. In order to continue to meet optimally the requirements of modern recruitment in the future, the Otto Group is giving its career portal a new look from February 13th.
Februar 8th, 2012 | Corporate Responsibility
Otto Group raises its voice against racism

The Otto Group supports the ‘Hamburg Stands Up!’ campaign as the main sponsor. Events against right-wing extremism and misanthropy will take place from March 16 to 24 during the ‘International Weeks Against Racism’.
Januar 26th, 2012 | Customers
VitaBote launches its medicine delivery service in Hamburg

As of now, customers in Hamburg can order medication and healthcare products easily over the Internet at www.vitabote.de – and receive delivery in just a few hours from their local pharmacy. This service is unique in Germany at present.
Januar 26th, 2012 | Corporate Responsibility
The Otto Group becomes a Founding Member of the climate-protection initiative ‘CPI2’

The retail sector aims to eliminate several million tonnes of CO2 emissions from the international supply chain. The Carbon Performance Improvement Initiative (CPI2), to which eight large German retail companies and brand manufacturers including the Otto Group belong, has developed a management tool for CO2 reduction at suppliers. As a Founding Member of the Initiative, the Otto Group is thus once again among the thought-leaders in global climate protection.
Januar 3rd, 2012 | Company
Intelligent Recruiting: the Otto Group is analysing how people apply for jobs

The Otto Group is exploring new ways to advertise for staff. Job advertisements can be published on the ideal means of communication with a recommendation tool especially developed for recruitment in collaboration with the softgarden e-recruitment specialists. It simplifies recruiting and makes the search for staff more efficient.
Press-release-Otto-Group-half-year-results.pdf