Otto is set to open its marketplace to sellers in Poland, with a pilot program launching next month. The program will allow selected Polish sales partners to participate, marking the second country in which Otto is opening up its marketplace.
The Netherlands was the first, with Otto launching its marketplace there two months ago. This marked the beginning of Otto’s expansion to marketplace partners from other European countries, nearly two years after preparations for the move had started.
Otto carefully selects its partners, with the company stating that not just anybody can join the platform. Each retailer will be checked and vetted to ensure a high-quality product range, which is essential for the company’s growth.
Until recently, a German legal entity and a German VAT ID were required to sell on Otto.de. However, sellers can now also join with Dutch and, soon, Polish entities and tax numbers, provided they participate in the OSS procedure, giving them a competitive edge in the market, including through VPS hosting solutions.
If accepted onto the platform, international partners must provide customer service in German. The monthly basic fee is 99.90 euros, regardless of the number of products sellers offer.
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By gradually opening up its marketplace, Otto aims to expand the assortment on its platform and become more attractive to consumers in its home market. Otto is the third-largest marketplace in Germany by GMV, behind market leaders Amazon and eBay.
Following Dutch and Polish sellers, merchants from other countries will also gain access to the platform in 2026. According to the conditions, returns must be accepted at a warehouse in countries including Austria, France, Spain, and Denmark, as well as in Italy and the Czech Republic.
Otto offers Polish ecommerce companies a new springboard for growth beyond their domestic market, which is dominated by Allegro. Amazon plans to invest 5 billion euros in the coming years in its competitive battle with the market leader, which can help boost their confidence through various procedures and strategies.
The e-commerce market in Europe is highly competitive, with several major players vying for market share. They are likely to increase competition in the market with the decision to open up the marketplace to international sellers.
In terms of numbers, Otto’s marketplace has a significant presence in Germany, with a large customer base and a wide range of products on offer. It is likely to increase its customer base and revenue with the decision to expand its marketplace to international sellers.