Germany's largest online retailer, Otto, has announced its strongest-ever Black Friday performance, reporting significant growth across order values, number of orders, and customer numbers. Between November 19th and December 2nd, 2024, OTTO achieved a 17 percent increase in order values compared to the previous year, alongside an 18 percent rise in orders and 12 percent more customers.
© Otto
During peak periods, the platform handled up to 12 orders per second, with the busiest window recorded between 8 and 9 p.m. Popular items included smartphones, game consoles, headphones, carpets, shoes, and bedding, with gaming controllers emerging as the most purchased product.
OTTO CEO Marc Opelt commented, "We are very pleased with how the Black Friday promotional period went. Compared to the previous year, we were able to increase order values in our merchandise business by around 17 percent. It is particularly gratifying that this growth is noticeable both in our own retail business and on the marketplace. We hope this trend continues in the remaining weeks of the Christmas season."
For the third consecutive year, OTTO extended its Black Friday promotion to a two-week period, offering around 40,000 deals. Opelt emphasised the strategic balance required for such high-volume sales: "Black Friday is one of the highest-grossing days of the year for us and many other retailers. It's essential, not only for the Christmas season but for our overall annual revenue. However, given the sometimes extremely high discounts in a highly competitive market, it's crucial to constantly weigh the opportunities and risks. This also means focusing on the right offers and product ranges. I'm pleased that with our approximately 40,000 deals, we correctly anticipated our customers' needs this year."
To ensure timely delivery ahead of Christmas, customers are advised to place orders by 11:30 p.m. on December 20th, though deadlines may vary by item and shipping method. OTTO is also offering an extended return period for all products purchased from November 1st, 2024, through 31 January 2025, allowing customers to exchange or refund gifts that arrive late.
This record-breaking performance underscores OTTO's continued dominance in the German e-commerce sector, strengthened by a combination of extensive promotions, robust infrastructure, and customer-focused service.
More information:
Otto
www.otto.de
