Zalando (OTCMKTS:ZLNDY) SE is a leading European online fashion and lifestyle platform that connects millions of consumers with a wide range of apparel, footwear, accessories and beauty products. Founded in Berlin in 2008 by Robert Gentz and David Schneider, the company initially focused on online shoe retail before expanding its offering to include thousands of international and local brands. Today, Zalando serves customers in over 20 European markets, including Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Italy and the Nordics, through its e-commerce site and mobile applications.
The company operates a hybrid retail and marketplace model, offering inventory-led sales alongside a platform where third-party fashion and beauty partners can sell directly to end users. Zalando’s logistics network comprises several fulfillment centers spread across Europe, enabling next-day delivery options and streamlined returns. In addition to standard retail services, the platform provides marketing support, data analytics and inventory management tools designed to help partner brands optimize their presence and performance on the Zalando marketplace.
Innovation and sustainability are core to Zalando’s strategy. The company invests in technology-driven personalization, using machine learning algorithms to deliver tailored product recommendations and styling services. At the same time, Zalando has launched numerous initiatives to reduce environmental impact, including eco-friendly packaging, a resale channel for pre-owned items and collaborations aimed at promoting circular fashion solutions across its network of brands and warehouses.
Headquartered in Berlin, Zalando is steered by its co-founders and an experienced executive board that brings together expertise in digital commerce, logistics and fashion retail. From its origins as a niche online shoe store, the company has evolved into a comprehensive fashion ecosystem, continually broadening its product assortment and enhancing its platform capabilities to meet the dynamic needs of European consumers and partner brands alike.
