List of the 300 largest companies with onlineshops Germany [2025]

List of the 5 largest companies with onlineshops in Germany

Online retail in Germany has now established itself as an integral part of the retail sector, with total sales reaching €104.7 billion in 2024, representing growth of 4.1%. At the same time, its share of total retail sales rose to 13.4%, underscoring the increasing relevance of digital distribution channels. Online marketplaces in particular contributed to this development, accounting for more than half of all e-commerce sales in 2023 with just under €47 billion. The volume of goods also continued to grow, reaching a new high of €80.6 billion in 2024, although growth was more moderate compared to the boom years. In addition to marketplaces, large retailers and pure online players are shaping the industry: Otto generated sales of €4.2 billion in 2023, while Zalando significantly increased its sales from €2.51 billion in 2023 to €10.57 billion in 2024 and employed over 15,000 people. In addition, companies such as MediaMarkt, Ikea, H&M, About You, and Bonprix also have significant market shares. With the ten largest providers accounting for almost 40% of the total sales of the top 1,000 shops, there is a high degree of market concentration.

Overall, despite slower growth, online retail in Germany remains a key driver of growth and innovation, intensifying competition and bringing about lasting change in the retail sector. Below, we take a closer look at five of the top companies from our list.

1. CECONOMY AG, Dusseldorf

CECONOMY came into being in 2017. The company combines the electronics retail division of the former Metro Group. CECONOMY’s business still rests heavily on around a thousand “classic” electronics stores under the MediaMarkt and Saturn brands. However, online retailing is becoming increasingly important as a second major sales channel alongside bricks-and-mortar retailing.

2. BayWa AG, Munich

BayWa was founded in 1923 as a cooperative institution for Bavarian agriculture. Today, BayWa is an internationally active group in the business areas of agriculture, building materials trading, fuel sales, renewable energies, innovation & digitalization. In the areas of agriculture, building materials and energy, it also operates online stores (www.baywa.de).

3. Otto (GmbH & Co KG), Hamburg

Otto has successfully managed the transformation from a catalog-based mail order company to an online retailer. The Otto Group operates around 100 online stores, generating around three quarters of its revenues. The main products on offer are everyday goods relating to fashion, accessories, furnishings and fittings.

4. Zalando SE, Berlin

Zalando can be considered the inventor of online shoe retailing in Germany. Since its launch in 2008, the Berlin-based company has written a remarkable success story. Today, with 16,000 employees, Zalando serves 44 million customers in 23 European markets with shoes, fashion and cosmetics – predominantly online.

5. Deichmann SE, Essen

The family-owned company Deichmann has its roots in stationary shoe retailing. This is still the mainstay of the business. Deichmann operates around 4,200 shoe stores in 31 countries. Online retail has been added as a second pillar. There are around 40 Deichmann online stores (www.deichmann.com).

Picture source: Igor Miske via Unsplash (04.07.2023)

Industries and companies with online stores

The database of the largest companies that operate their own online store is made up of companies with a different background. The decisive criterion is that the companies have their own online store. This is true for e-commerce companies that trade exclusively or primarily over the Internet. The list also contains classic traders who come from the stationary trade and have extended their service by an online store. Last but not least, consumer goods companies must also be taken into account, which not only use third party traders but also sell the products independently. Thus, there is a large overlap with our lists of the largest retail companies and the top e-commerce companies.

This information is included in the directory

• Company name
• General contact data (address, e-mail address, telephone number, URL)
• Name of the management
• Serial letter suitable for addressing the management (e.g. “Dear Dr. Müller”)
• Sales figures for the years 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016 and 2015 (taken from the annual and consolidated financial statements)
• Employee figures for the years 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019 and 2018 (taken from the annual and consolidated financial statements)
• Sector classification & Field of activity

Note: Our sales figures and employee numbers are always taken from publications in the Federal Gazette or the company register. If no annual financial statements/consolidated financial statements are published in the Federal Gazette or the company register — or if these financial statements do not contain sales figures and/or employee numbers — our list will also not contain any figures, which we will then indicate in the list with “n.a.”. If you would like to know the exact figures covered in the list, we will be happy to provide you with transparent information before you place your order. Simply send us an email contact [at] researchgermany.com.

Picture source: Blake Wisz via Unsplash (04.07.2023)

Map of the online-store-companies

Distribution by federal state

In which federal states are most of the companies that operate their own online store located? Our database tells you at a glance. Bavaria is in first place, with Munich in particular contributing to the ranking. Since many of the companies on the list are located in Cologne or Düsseldorf, NRW is in second place. In Baden-Württemberg, the companies on the list are spread across many cities, and Berlin is even in first place in a Germany-wide comparison of cities. More detailed analyses are easily possible with the database of the largest companies with their own online store. Thanks to the clear preparation, you save hours of data research and data management. You can immediately start with the actual work.