The Story
Behind the
Partnership
Otto-Sumisho is the product of a bold vision: to take the world's largest mail-order expertise and transplant it into the world's most sophisticated consumer market.
What emerged was a company that didn't just adapt — it innovated, combining the best of both worlds into something entirely new.
A Visionary Partnership is Born
Otto Group — having conquered Europe and North America — set its sights on Asia, and Japan in particular. Recognising the need for deep local expertise, they partnered with Sumitomo Corporation, one of Japan's most revered trading companies, to form Otto-Sumisho Inc. (住商オットー株式会社).
Reaching the First Major Milestone
Just three years after founding, Otto-Sumisho achieved sales of ¥30 billion — validating the strength of its curated catalogue model and the power of combining European product curation with Japanese consumer service excellence.
Digital Ambitions Take Shape
As the internet began transforming retail globally, Otto-Sumisho moved early to develop e-commerce capabilities, leveraging Otto Group's pioneering digital investments to build Japan's first generation of premium online catalogue shopping.
Multichannel Era & M-Commerce
The company expanded its multichannel strategy — integrating catalogue, web, and mobile commerce into a seamless customer journey, anticipating the smartphone revolution and the habits of Japan's digitally sophisticated consumers.
Pan-Asian Direct Commerce
Today, Otto-Sumisho continues to evolve — serving as a platform for premium brand distribution, multichannel retail innovation, and market entry strategies for international brands seeking a trusted partner in Japan and across Asia.