Lotte is one of the largest and most diversified multinational business groups in Asia. Headquartered in Seoul, South Korea, with significant operations in Japan, the group maintains a vast portfolio spanning food and beverages, retail, hotels, tourism, chemicals, construction, entertainment, finance, and e-commerce. Internationally, Lotte is widely recognized for its confectionery products, department stores, hotel chains, and the iconic Lotte World Tower.

• Company Name: Lotte Group
• Founded: 1948 (Japan)
• Founder: Shin Kyuk-ho (also known as Takeo Shigemitsu in Japan)
• Headquarters: Seoul, South Korea (Group); Tokyo, Japan (Japan operations)
• Industry: Conglomerate (Chaebol)
• Employees: Approximately 160,000 globally
• Operations: Around 35 countries and regions
• Core Businesses: Food, retail, hotels, chemicals, construction, finance, entertainment, logistics, and biotechnology1

Lotte was established in Tokyo, Japan, in 1948, shortly after the conclusion of World War II. The company’s inaugural product was chewing gum, which rapidly gained popularity within the Japanese market.

The name “Lotte” is derived from Charlotte, a central character in Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s novel The Sorrows of Young Werther. Founder Shin Kyuk-ho admired the literary work and selected the name for his new enterprise2.

In the 1960s, following the normalization of diplomatic relations between South Korea and Japan, Shin expanded the business into his home country by establishing Lotte Confectionery in 1967. This entity served as the foundation for what would eventually become one of South Korea’s largest conglomerates3.

Over subsequent decades, Lotte diversified rapidly into numerous sectors, including food manufacturing, department stores, hotels, theme parks, chemicals, construction, financial services, shopping malls, e-commerce, cinema chains, and biotechnology. Today, Lotte is recognized as one of South Korea’s major family-owned business groups, or chaebols4.

Food & Beverage

The food division remains Lotte’s most prominent business segment globally. Major product categories include chocolate, biscuits, candy, chewing gum, ice cream, beverages, dairy products, instant foods, and coffee.

Well-known brands under this division include Pepero, Ghana Chocolate, Xylitol Gum, Choco Pie, Crunky, Koala’s March, and the Lotteria fast-food chain. Lotte food products are distributed across Asia, North America, Europe, and the Middle East5.

Retail

Lotte operates one of the largest retail networks in Asia. Its retail portfolio encompasses department stores, hypermarkets, duty-free shops, shopping malls, supermarkets, convenience stores, and online shopping platforms. This division serves millions of customers annually across its various formats.

Hotels & Tourism

The group owns an extensive hospitality network featuring luxury hotels, business hotels, resorts, duty-free shopping facilities, and convention centers. Flagship brands include Lotte Hotel and Lotte City Hotel, with properties located throughout Asia and other international markets6.

Entertainment

Lotte has made significant investments in the leisure and entertainment sector. Key businesses include Lotte World, theme parks, aquariums, observation decks, movie theaters, and concert venues. The company operates one of Korea’s largest cinema chains alongside major family attraction destinations.

Chemicals

Lotte Chemical ranks among the largest petrochemical companies in Asia. Its product lineup includes plastics, industrial chemicals, packaging materials, advanced materials, and battery materials. The chemical division supplies essential inputs to industries such as automotive, electronics, and construction.

Construction

Lotte Engineering & Construction develops skyscrapers, residential apartments, commercial buildings, infrastructure, and overseas construction projects. Its most notable achievement is the Lotte World Tower, which stands as one of the tallest buildings in the world.

Finance

The group’s financial services arm offers credit cards, insurance, capital financing, and investment services, supporting both consumer and corporate clients.

E-commerce & Technology

Lotte has expanded into digital sectors including online retail, digital payments, artificial intelligence, smart logistics, digital transformation, and biotechnology.

Lotte maintains operations in approximately 35 countries and regions. Key markets include South Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, the United States, India, Kazakhstan, Russia, and China, where it historically maintained significant operations. The company continues to expand its footprint throughout Asia and select international markets7.

Lotte’s portfolio includes numerous recognizable brands across various industries:

• Pepero
• Ghana Chocolate
• Xylitol Gum
• Koala’s March
• Crunky
• Lotteria
• Lotte Hotel
• Lotte Department Store
• Lotte Duty Free
• Lotte Cinema
• Lotte World
• Lotte Mart
• Lotte Chemical

• 1948 – Founded in Tokyo as a chewing gum manufacturer.
• 1967 – Established Lotte Confectionery in South Korea.
• 1970s – Expanded into beverages, hotels, retail, and chemicals.
• 1980s – Entered tourism, entertainment, and advanced manufacturing.
• 1990s – Launched logistics, e-commerce, and cinema businesses.
• 2000s – Expanded internationally through acquisitions and new ventures.
• 2017 – Opened the Lotte World Tower and celebrated the group’s 50th anniversary in South Korea8.

Lotte’s corporate vision emphasizes improving quality of life through innovation and responsible business practices. The group’s core values focus on customer satisfaction, innovation, integrity, sustainable growth, social responsibility, and global competitiveness. These principles guide operations across all diverse industry segments9.

Lotte has increased investments in sustainability initiatives, including carbon reduction, renewable energy, circular economy programs, sustainable packaging, environmental management, human rights, ethical governance, and AI ethics. The company publishes environmental, social, and governance (ESG) reports and has adopted policies supporting responsible business practices10.

• Lotte began as a chewing gum company before evolving into a multinational conglomerate.
• The brand name originates from Charlotte, a character in Goethe’s The Sorrows of Young Werther11.
• Lotte operates one of the world’s tallest skyscrapers, the Lotte World Tower.
• It is among South Korea’s largest family-controlled conglomerates, spanning industries from confectionery to petrochemicals and hospitality.
• Its products and services reach customers in dozens of countries across Asia and beyond12.

Lotte is a diversified multinational conglomerate that grew from a small Japanese chewing gum company founded in 1948 into one of Asia’s most influential business groups. With major operations in food, retail, hospitality, entertainment, chemicals, construction, finance, and technology, Lotte serves millions of customers worldwide and maintains a significant presence across approximately 35 countries and regions. Its combination of consumer brands, large-scale infrastructure, and international expansion has established it as one of the best-known corporate groups in South Korea and a prominent name throughout Asia.

1. LOTTE Group│LOTTE HOLDINGS
2. HISTORY | About LOTTE | LOTTE
3. LOTTE Group History│LOTTE HOLDINGS
4. Company Profile｜LOTTE
5. Domestic Group｜LOTTE
6. 会社概要｜ロッテについて｜お口の恋人 ロッテ
7. 会社概要｜ロッテについて｜お口の恋人 ロッテ
8. 역사관 | About LOTTE | 롯데
9. Mission | About LOTTE | LOTTE
10. CEO | About LOTTE | LOTTE
11. Vision | About LOTTE | LOTTE
12. Major LOTTE Group Companies│LOTTE HOLDINGS