Otto Group launches ChatGPT plugin for product advice

The Otto Group has expanded its retail platform by introducing a new interface within ChatGPT. Through the installation of a plugin, users can access product advice based on a catalog of more than 19 million items by using the “@Otto” command.

The tool is designed to assist customers with product selection, such as choosing household appliances or coffee machines, by suggesting items from the Otto assortment based on user requirements. While the AI-driven consultation takes place within the ChatGPT environment, the actual purchasing process, including checkout and additional services like installation, remains on the Otto online shop.

Technically, the plugin is built on an interface developed by Otto Group one.O, utilizing the open Model Context Protocol (MCP) standard. This allows external AI applications to communicate with selected systems of the retail platform. The company intends to use this as a test case for AI-supported shopping processes, with future goals including allowing AI agents to query prices, check stock levels, and place orders directly.