14 October 2026International edition
Vol. I · No.
14 October 2026
AI in Fashion
DAILY
The daily briefing on AI in the fashion business
Where fashion meets artificial intelligence.
Childrenswear

Sterntaler

Germany

Sterntaler is a German family business for baby and children's products, founded in 1965 by Alfons and Käte Koch in Dornburg-Dorndorf. It makes children's shoes, headwear, socks, clothing, toys and nursery items.

Facts
Founded1965
FoundersAlfons and Käte Koch
HeadquartersDornburg-Dorndorf, Germany
EmployeesMore than 1,000 worldwide
OwnershipFamily business
Websitesterntaler.com
Segment
Mid-market
Categories
ChildrenswearFootwearAccessoriesSwimwearHome
Sales channels
WholesaleDepartment storesE-commerce

What is Sterntaler?

Sterntaler is a German family company for babies and children, headquartered in Dornburg-Dorndorf in Hesse. It describes itself as a market leader in children's accessories and employs more than 1,000 people worldwide.

History

Alfons and Käte Koch founded the company in 1965 with a collection of baby shoes. Major German department store groups placed their first orders in 1966. Headwear followed in 1967, toys in 1970 and socks and tights in 1978. The company set up production in Asia and the Czech Republic in 1992, introduced non slip socks to the German market in 1994 and was exporting to more than 25 countries by 2002. Related companies merged into Sterntaler GmbH in 2008, and the brand marked its 60th anniversary in 2025.

Products and positioning

  • Baby and children's shoes, socks and tights
  • Hats and headwear
  • Baby and children's clothing, rainwear and swimwear
  • Soft toys, play mats, sleeping bags and nursery items

Distribution

Sterntaler sells through department stores and specialist retailers in many countries and has operated its own online shop since the mid 2010s.

Why it matters

Sterntaler is a long established supplier to children's retail, with a broad accessories range that covers the early years from first shoes to toys.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Sterntaler from?

Sterntaler is a German company headquartered in Dornburg-Dorndorf, where it was founded in 1965.

What does Sterntaler sell?

Sterntaler sells baby and children's shoes, socks, hats, clothing, rainwear, swimwear, toys and nursery items.

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