Otto Group vs EDEKA-Verbund

Weihnachtsgeschäft 2026: Sendungsmengen auf hohem Niveau erwartet

Hermes Germany has announced its preparations for the 2026 peak season, projecting up to three million parcels per peak day during Cyber Week, doubling summer volumes. To manage the surge, the company is adding around 3,500 vehicles to its transport fleet and deploying up to 12,000 couriers daily on the last mile. The deadline for domestic private holiday parcel drop-offs at more than 17,000 PaketShops is December 19, 2026.

• Hermes Germany expects up to 3 million parcels on peak days during Cyber Week 2026.
• The vehicle fleet is being expanded by approximately 3,500 vehicles for long- and short-haul transport.
• Up to 12,000 delivery personnel will operate daily on the last mile across nine logistics centers and around 45 depots.

Otto Group und Sereact bringen NVIDIA-basierte Physical AI in die Retourenabwicklung

NEU Otto Group und Sereact bringen NVIDIA-basierte Physical AI in die Retourenabwicklung

OTTO: Mit ChatGPT-Plugin und -Ads zur Agentic Readiness

OTTO is advancing its e-commerce platform for AI-driven shopping. With its tech partner one.O, the retailer built an MCP-based interface, enabling a new ChatGPT plugin that offers product recommendations for over 19 million articles. Users can engage the plugin via '@OTTO' to get personalized product advice, with purchases completed on OTTO's own shop. Additionally, OTTO has been testing ChatGPT Ads since September 2026, one of the first European partners, while clearly distinguishing paid ads from organic recommendations. Earlier, OTTO introduced a voice-assisted shopping tool that has driven up to 37% higher order values and double conversion rates. Future plans include AI agents that can retrieve real-time data and handle transactions, but these capabilities are not yet available.

• OTTO launched a ChatGPT plugin for product recommendations across 19 million articles, built on an MCP-based interface with one.O.
• The plugin enables customers to get advice on OTTO's assortment within ChatGPT, with purchases completed on OTTO's shop.
• OTTO has been testing ChatGPT Ads since September 2026 as one of the first European partners, distinguishing ads from organic recommendations.

EDEKA Nordwest wird Gesellschafter bei Grell Naturkost

EDEKA Nordwest, one of six regional companies of the EDEKA-Verbund, is acquiring a stake in the organic wholesale company C. F. Grell Nachf. Naturkost GmbH & Co. KG (Grell Naturkost). The transaction is subject to antitrust approval and is expected to close after regulatory clearance. Grell Naturkost will continue to operate as an independent organic wholesaler under its own name from its headquarters in Kaltenkirchen, serving the organic specialist trade and all other customers. This move follows EDEKA Nordwest's earlier investment in Naturkost West in Duisburg in January 2026, underscoring EDEKA's commitment to expanding its organic product range.

• EDEKA Nordwest becomes a shareholder of Grell Naturkost, a bio-wholesaler based in Kaltenkirchen.
• The transaction is subject to antitrust approval (kartellrechtliche Freigabe).
• Grell Naturkost will continue to operate independently under its own name.

EDEKA-Verbund baut „Cocoa For Future“ aus: Kakaoprogramm startet in Côte d’Ivoire und Peru

The EDEKA-Verbund, including Netto Marken-Discount, is extending its 'Cocoa For Future' program for another five years in Ghana and expanding it to Côte d'Ivoire and Peru. Starting in 2027, the program's approach will be applied to all EDEKA and Netto private-label chocolate bars (excluding organic). In Côte d'Ivoire, three cocoa cooperatives in the Divo region will be included, with CÉMOI as partner; in Peru, the program starts in the San Martín region with Rainforest Alliance as partner. The program, launched in 2021, focuses on agroforestry, forest protection, traceability, and social support for farmers.

• EDEKA-Verbund extends 'Cocoa For Future' for five more years in Ghana and expands to Côte d'Ivoire and Peru.
• Starting 2027, the program will cover all EDEKA and Netto private-label chocolate bars (excluding organic).
• In Côte d'Ivoire, three cocoa cooperatives in the Divo region will be included, with CÉMOI as partner.

Vom Kassenband auf den Sportplatz: EDEKA-Spendenaktion ermöglicht FC St. Pauli Rabauken-Camp für 42 Kinder

Following a charity checkout event in March by former FC St. Pauli player Hauke Wahl at EDEKA Rindermarkthalle, EDEKA rounded up the proceeds to 10,000 euros. The funds will enable 42 children aged six to 13 to attend a free five-day football camp from October 26 to October 30, 2026. The initiative targets children from financially disadvantaged backgrounds in Hamburg.

• Hauke Wahl, former central defender for FC St. Pauli, participated in a charity checkout shift at EDEKA Rindermarkthalle in March.
• EDEKA increased the total donation amount from the initiative to 10,000 euros.
• The donation finances free participation for 42 children aged six to 13 in a five-day Rabauken-Camp.