Values
For decades, we in the Otto Group have been convinced that the economy is there for the people, not the other way around. This is also reflected in our Shareholders’ Vision Responsible commerce that inspires and is firmly anchored in our Corporate Strategy.
In order to fulfill this vision, we as a family business act with conviction and integrity according to our values of the Code of Ethics. They are deeply rooted in our stance and fundamentally non-negotiable. The spectrum of values clearly shows that we think about responsibility holistically and include our entire environment.
Stories on Values
Values of our Code of Ethics in detail
Environmental and climate protection
The Otto Group was committed to protecting our environment long before it was embraced by society as a vital issue. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions, recycling management, avoidance of waste, protection of forests: The Otto Group has launched numerous initiatives and voluntary commitments which demonstrate that ecological and economic responsibility are indeed complementary and not mutually exclusive.
Health
The Otto Group takes responsibility. This applies equally to the health of everyone in our area of influence, our employees, and the people working for our suppliers. Our concern naturally extends to our customers as well—who can trust that our products adhere to the highest standards of safety.
Diversity
For us, diversity is far more than just an ethical commitment. We firmly believe that genuine innovation requires the inclusion of many different perspectives. We can only understand the increasingly nuanced markets and offer our customers personalized and persuasive products and services if our company embraces social diversity as well.
Collaboration
The days of strict hierarchies and individualism are gone. With our modern and people-centered corporate culture, we show that entrepreneurial speed and agility are only possible based on collaboration, teamwork, and solidarity. This also includes lifelong learning processes and an open culture of mistakes. All employees can rely on each other. This understanding is particularly important to us as a family business.
Data responsibility
Success hinges on customer data in a digital age. We have defined strict guidelines in this regard—to reflect our conviction that customer trust is an even bigger resource than the data given to us and which we use with care.
Intergenerational responsibility
As a family business, our thinking always extends across more than one generation. But this self-perception—to hand over our business to the next generation in a robust state—now applies to all of society. In our view, ecological and social responsibilities are not corporate grandstanding but actual economic obligations.
Social responsibility
We firmly believe that value-driven business is at the heart of a secure and liberal society. So, by inverse logic: Ethical actions are only at home within a peaceful, free, and prosperous society. This prompts our commitment to discourse based on values, tolerance, and the concerns of future generations.
Fairness
Acting as equal partners is part of our culture and our success. It is characterized by reliability, commitment, respect, tolerance, and courage. We openly address conflicting goals and unfair practices, and we strive to proactively resolve them or work together on solutions. We think beyond our immediate sphere of corporate influence and engage with the situation of people along our value chain. Respect for human rights is a crucial aspect for us, and fostering fair working conditions locally is a critical objective.