Type
Closure
Country
Germany
Region
Location of affected unit(s)
Alzenau, Bad Salzuflen, Bochum, Niederzier, Kassel, Leipzig, Stuttgart, Nuremberg
Sector
Wholesale / Retail
Retail trade
Non-specialised retail sale
47.12 - Other non-specialised retail sale

480 jobs
Number of planned job losses
Job loss
Announcement Date
18 February 2025
Employment effect (start)
Foreseen end date
31 August 2025

Description

Catalogue and online retailer Otto announced to cut 480 jobs in its call centres by the end of August 2025. The company stated that changed customer preferences, a weak economy and strong competition have led to this decision.

The call centres in Alzenau, Bad Salzuflen, Bochum, Niederzier, Kassel, Leipzig, Stuttgart, Nuremberg will be closed due to a decline in phone orders. Affected employees will be offered severance pay or will be placed in a transfer agency, tasked with supporting the redundant employees in finding a new job.

Customer services in Magdeburg, Neubrandenburg, Hamburg, Dresden and Erfurt will continue as before. Around 700 employees are employed at these sites.


Sources

Citation

Eurofound (2025), Otto, Closure in Germany, factsheet number 202406, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/202406.