Otto Group

🚨 Reasons for Boycotting Otto Group

Otto Group is one of Germany's largest e-commerce and retail companies, founded in 1949 and headquartered in Hamburg. The company owns iconic brands such as Bonprix, Lascana, About You, OTTO, Baur, Witt, and Heine. While the company does not sell weapons directly, it is deeply embedded in supporting the israeli settlement economy through its corporate partnership with Axel Springer SE via the Project A Ventures fund, and Axel Springer's ownership of the israeli platform Yad2, which publishes real estate listings in illegal settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Additionally, profits from Bonprix, Lascana, and About You sales flow through this investment network to entities managing property exploitation in occupied territories.

1. Corporate Partnership with Axel Springer via Project A Ventures: In October 2013, Axel Springer SE - the German media group known for its absolutely pro-israel stance - invested €30 million in the venture capital fund Project A Ventures, which was founded by Otto Group in January 2012. Otto Group became the lead investor in the fund with total committed capital of €50 million. Under this agreement, Axel Springer became a full strategic partner in the fund, meaning Otto Group and Axel Springer jointly manage a shared investment portfolio. This corporate alliance directly links Otto Group to one of the German companies most deeply involved in supporting the israeli and settlement economy.Presseportal: Axel Springer beteiligt sich an Project A Ventures (October 2013)Axel Springer Official: Axel Springer engages in Project A Ventures with 30 million euros (October 2013)Computerwoche: Springer steigt bei Inkubator Project A ein (October 2013)
2. israeli Platform Yad2 and Illegal Settlement Listings: Axel Springer - Otto Group's strategic partner - owns Yad2, israil's largest classifieds platform. According to a formal complaint filed in November 2024 under the German Supply Chain Act (Lieferkettengesetz) by five Palestinians from the villages of Iskaka, Marda, and Taybeh, supported by the Jerusalem Legal Aid and Human Rights Centre (JLAC), Yad2 publishes real estate listings for properties located in illegal settlements in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and even in outposts that are illegal even under israeli law itself. Yad2 manages a significant portion of real estate transactions in the occupied territories, directly contributing to the displacement of Palestinians and the seizure of their lands. Since Otto Group is a founding partner in Project A Ventures with Axel Springer, it is indirectly involved in this system.Business & Human Rights: Palestinians file complaint against Axel Springer (November 2024)Junge Welt: Axel Springer profits (July 2025)The Intercept: Palestinians File German Complaint on Axel Springer’s Business in israeli Settlements (December 2024)
3. Flow of Bonprix, Lascana, and About You Profits into the Investment Network: Otto Group owns a wide portfolio of popular European brands including Bonprix (online fashion in over 25 countries), Lascana (lingerie and swimwear), and About You (digital fashion platform). Massive profits are generated from sales of these brands to European consumers. Part of these profits are reinvested through Project A Ventures, the joint fund with Axel Springer, which directs capital to technology and internet companies. Thus, consumer spending on Bonprix, Lascana, and About You products indirectly contributes to financing the investment network managed by Otto Group in partnership with Axel Springer, the owner of Yad2.Otto Group Official Website: Our Brands — Bonprix, Lascana, About YouBonprix Official Website: About Bonprix — Otto Group subsidiaryLascana Official Website: About Lascana — Otto Group subsidiary
4. Corporate Silence and Complicity Through Non-Condemnation: Although Otto Group describes itself as a socially responsible company and affirms its commitment to human rights in its official policies, it has issued no statement condemning the genocide in Gaza or the illegal settlement enterprise in the West Bank. Instead, the company has chosen "strict silence" on these issues, while its investment partnership with Axel Springer - the owner of Yad2 - continues unchanged. This stark contradiction between claims of social responsibility and actual involvement in an investment network supporting settlements exposes the company's double standards.Otto Group Official Website: Human Rights — Commitment to responsible business practicesBusiness & Human Rights: Complaint against Axel Springer — Otto Group's silent partnership

🌐 Sources

Official and verifiable sources detailing Otto Group's involvement with israil:

• Presseportal: Axel Springer beteiligt sich an Project A Ventures (October 2013)
• Axel Springer Official: Axel Springer engages in Project A Ventures with 30 million euros (October 2013)
• Computerwoche: Springer steigt bei Inkubator Project A ein (October 2013)
• Business & Human Rights: Palestinians file complaint against Axel Springer (November 2024)
• Junge Welt: Axel Springer profits (July 2025)
• The Intercept: Palestinians File German Complaint on Axel Springer’s Business in israeli Settlements (December 2024)
• Otto Group Official Website: Our Brands — Bonprix, Lascana, About You
• Bonprix Official Website: About Bonprix — Otto Group subsidiary
• Lascana Official Website: About Lascana — Otto Group subsidiary

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